COSTS AND TREATMENT OF PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING

The nature and social costs of pathological gambling are reviewed. Cos ts of gambling in terms of indebtedness for the gambler, costs for fam ily members, costs for the workplace, illegal activities, and physical and psychological costs are examined. The interaction of pathological gambling with other disorders, including substance abuse, anxiety, an d depression, are noted. Methods of screening pathological gamblers ar e summarized. Different treatment approaches and their effectiveness a re reviewed, including Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon, psychodynamic treatment, behavioral and cognitive approaches, and treatment based on an addiction model. Treatment for spouses is discussed. Gambling expe nditure data are then examined to determine what portion of total expe nditures is accounted for by problem gamblers.