Yes, it's true... it may all start with tombla!

Gambling is a form of entertainment enjoyed by millions of people each year. Yet for many, gambling is an obsession. The reasons vary, but the result is the same - these people develop an addiction to gambling behaviour.

Researchers estimate that more than three per cent of Western population are compulsive gamblers. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines gambling as an "impulse control disorder". For those suffering from this disorder, gambling takes over their lives - ruining careers and educations, destroying relationships, damaging health.

Compulsive gamblers are unable to control their gambling habits. To the compulsive gambler, gambling becomes more important than work, home or family. Gambling is not limited to casinos. Many gambling opportunities are available, most popularly among us are the bingos (tombla), state and parish lotteries, legal and illegal sports betting, among others.

Money is the gambler's key to action and excitement. So it's not surprising that the gambler needs an ever increasing amount of money to reach the excitement level s/he desires. After losing money, a compulsive gambler may return the next day to recoup losses (known as 'chasing' the money).

Eventually, the gambler becomes impulsive and careless. Debts mount, frustration sets in and signs of trouble surface. When all legitimate resource for money has been exhausted, life for the compulsive gambler may revolve around "getting even". Gambling becomes the rule of the day obsession to pay off debts with borrowed or sometimes stolen money.

Most compulsive gamblers fit the description of a neighbour, friend or colleague. Like alcohol and other drug dependency, gambling is an equal opportunity disorder. Marriages and families often collapse as a result of compulsive gambling. The gambler's spouse, children, family responsibilities, work, etc., cease to remain priorities. Compulsive gambling can be also deadly and end in suicide. Psychologists often speak of seven types of gamblers, moving in a continuum from the least problematic (social gambler) to the riskiest (pathological gambler).

The essential feature of pathological gambling is persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour, such as preoccupation with gambling; need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement; repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut or stop the habit; gambling as an escapism from problems; gambling to recoup losses; lying to conceal the addiction; commission of illegal acts to finance gambling; loss of personal relationships because of gambling; and reliance on others for money to pay off debts.

A compulsive gambler is good at covering tracks and preventing discovery. Sophisticated lies become the necessary vehicle to maintain appearances of 'normality'. Worse still, family and friends may often pay off debts and cover up for missed obligations, enabling the gambler to continue, and delaying the recovery process.

Like many other problems, compulsive gambling is often overlooked until a crisis erupts. That's the reason to develop a greater awareness of the warning signs associated with compulsive gambling.

Some possible warning signs of compulsive gambling may be:

* excessive telephone use.

* a pattern of borrowing money repeatedly.

* boastful behaviours regarding gambling winnings.

* signs of gambling paraphernalia (racing forms, detailed sports data, etc.).

* mood swings, often the manifestation of winning and losing periods.

* discomfort about discussing money or financial management.

* patterns of binge shopping and spending.

* problems with personal relationships.

* unusual eagerness to promote and participate in betting opportunities.

If gambling is interfering with your life or the life of someone close to you, seek help and assistance immediately. Confrontation by a professional skilled in conducting interventions is often the only path to treatment.

Michael Galea, Ph.D., is a psychologist. He may be contacted by e-mail at mgalea00@yahoo.com