Pathological gambling

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Pathological gambling is the inability to resist impulses to gamble, leading to severe personal or social consequences.

Gambling - compulsive; Compulsive gambling; Addictive gambling

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.

Review Date: 11/01/2005
Reviewed By: Daniel W. Haupt, M.D., Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.