Gambling Addiction

The American Psychological Association consider Gambling to be an impulse disorder rather than an addiction. An impulse disorder is said to be chronic and progressive. The terms Gambling Addiction and Pathological Gambling are more widely used within the rehab industry.

http://www.Wikipedia.org cite 10 criteria which are widely acclaimed and internationally used to diagnose pathological gambling:

1. Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
2. Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4. Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
5. Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
6. Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
7. Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
8. Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or forgery.
9. Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
10. Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.

Someone would be considered to be a pathological gambler or addicted to gambling if they have five of the aforementioned symptoms. There is evidence to suggest that the physiological aspect of gambling addiction is linked to deficiencies in Norepinephrine and Serotonin.