 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Pathological gambling
Definition:
Pathological gambling is the inability to resist impulses to gamble, leading to severe personal or social consequences. Alternative Names:
Text Continues Below
Gambling - compulsive; Compulsive gambling; Addictive gambling Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Pathological gambling affects 1-2% of adults, and up to 4% of adults living within 50 miles of a casino. It typically begins in early adolescence in men and between ages 20 and 40 in women. Pathological gambling is a brain disease that seems to be similar to disorders such as alcoholism and drug addiction. These disorders likely involve problems with the part of the brain associated with behaviors such as eating and sex. This part of the brain is sometimes called the "pleasure center" or dopamine reward pathway. In people who develop pathological gambling, occasional gambling leads to habitual gambling. Stressful situations can make gambling problems more severe.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
| 
.gif)
