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The Two Types of Problem Gamblers

The Two Primary Types of Gamblers

There are two primary types of gamblers: Action and Escape. Each gambles for different reasons and has unique characteristics and behaviors.

Action Gamblers

Action gamblers are often assertive, persuasive, loud and energetic, and as a group are usually men. They see themselves as friendly, sociable, gregarious and generous. They are typically younger men who are focused on the thrill of winning. They tend to play skill-based games such as horse and dog racing, sports betting, black jack and poker. “It’s a win-based, action-based process where they want to be part of the game and involved in the process,” says Jerry Bauerkemper, BS, CCGC.

Escape Gamblers

Escape gamblers gamble as a form of coping and as an escape from physical or emotional pain. They are more apt to play “luck” games such as the slot, video poker or Keno machines. The vast majority of escape gamblers are women who may seem very ordinary and quiet. “They want their universe to shrink down to just them and the machine,” according to Jeff Cottle, MA, licensed psychologist. Escape gamblers are more likely to seek professional help and have a better opportunity at long-term recovery.

Minnesotan Receives International Addiction Research Award

Jessie Breyer, Ph.D., a member of the Psychology faculty at Century College in White Bear Lake, received the 2010 Durand Jacobs Award for her paper, “Young Adult Gambling Behaviors and their Relationship with the Persistence of ADHD.” The Durand Jacobs Award, bestowed by the International Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High-Risk Behaviours at McGill University in Montreal, recognizes outstanding work related to the psychology of addictive behaviors, and is dedicated to Dr. Durand Jacobs’ lifelong efforts to help mentor students.

Dr. Breyer began her work in the field of addiction at the University of Minnesota’s Department of Psychiatry in 2001. She worked for Ken Winters, Ph.D. and Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D. on a variety of research studies examining the impact of addictions on adolescents and adults. These studies included: investigating the influence of longitudinal ADHD on gambling and substance use in young adults; studying the effectiveness of a brief intervention for substance use in adolescents; and testing the validity of a gambling treatment outcome measure. Dr. Breyer has co-authored several articles and poster presentations in the field of addiction, and was a recipient of the NIAAA/NIDA Early Career Investigators Award in 2009.

“The field of addiction is something that’s always fascinated me,” says Dr. Breyer. “I’m interested in understanding why people continue to do things when there are so many unfavorable consequences to their behavior in the form of losing money, jobs, relationships, etc.”

Dr. Breyer’s work with Dr. Stinchfield found that individuals reporting childhood ADHD symptoms that persisted into young adulthood were more likely to become problem gamblers than study participants with no ADHD or those with non-persistent ADHD. However, those with persistent ADHD were no more likely than other groups to engage in gambling.

In addition to sharing her passion for psychology as a teacher, Dr. Breyer also aspires to do clinical work. She particularly enjoys working with children, adolescents and young adults.

Problem, Pathological Gambling Rates High Among Veterans

A recent study of veterans receiving care through the Department of Veterans Affairs revealed that about 8% of U.S. veterans are problem gamblers and an additional 2% are pathological gamblers. The study, funded by the VA Health Services Research and Development, was presented by Joseph J. Westermeyer IV, MD, at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association.

The study revealed some findings about problem gambling among vets that are different than in the general population. For example, rates of problem gambling and pathological gambling were almost identical among male veterans and female veterans, whereas men typically outnumber women by a factor of two to three or more in the general population, according to Dr. Westermeyer. Another rather contrary finding was that people with more alcohol and drug problems tended to have fewer gambling problems. Most other research studies have shown that more substance problems are associated with more gambling problems.

Gambling in the military is an issue that’s been closely followed by the National Council on Problem Gambling. In its June 2010 brief on the topic, the NCPG noted people there are likely at least 40,000 active duty service members with a gambling problem.

According to the NCPG, problem gambling is a hidden addiction that has not been adequately addressed by the military. The brief states “because compulsive gambling has an immediate association with financial matters, its effect on readiness and the overall mental health of service members has been largely overlooked and ignored.”

The NCPG encourages the military to develop clear policy and enforcement of existing rules and regulations regarding gambling. Current approaches appear focused on treating problems associated with problem and pathological gambling as punishable offenses with potentially little or no concern for the individual’s underlying treatable disorder.

To see an interview with Dr. Westermeyer and to read published communications on the subject of veteran gambling, please visit http://www.northstarproblemgambling.org/veteran.html.

Gambling Among Minnesota Public School Students Declines

A new study of gambling rates among Minnesota youth reflects a continued, gradual decrease in the overall rate of gambling among students in 9^th and 12^th grades. However, the rate of frequent gamblers, defined as those who gamble daily or weekly, has remained substantially unchanged. The analysis of gambling behavior from Minnesota public school students spans the period from 1992 to 2010, and is one of few such gambling trend analysis studies of its kind.

“The data suggests that youth gambling is not an epidemic as some have feared,” says the University of Minnesota’s Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and the study’s lead researcher. “Gambling for most youth is an infrequent and inconsequential past time.”

Rates of gambling frequency from 2010 data indicate that the majority of boys (51% of 9th graders and 69% of 12th graders) reported gambling in the past year, whereas a smaller percentage of girls (23% of 9th graders and 42% of 12th graders) reported gambling in the past year. In terms of frequent gambling, a small but significant number of boys (12% of 9th graders and 18% of 12th graders) reported gambling weekly or daily while a smaller number of girls (3% of 9th graders and 4% of 12th graders) reported gambling weekly or daily.

The results beg the question as to why youth gambling has decreased over the years. “While our data doesn’t provide the answer as to why gambling has declined, we can speculate as to the reasons,” says Dr. Stinchfield. One idea is that the novelty of gambling, introduced in Minnesota in 1990, has simply worn off. Another possible explanation is that youth today have so many things competing for their time, including smart phones, texting and various online activities. “It may be that the immediacy of doing something on the phone or internet is better than waiting for a poker game to get started,” hypothesizes Dr. Stinchfield. Future studies may include questions about other activities enjoyed by Minnesota youth to determine the relative role of gambling among other recreational choices.

A second analysis of the student data focused on the rates of gambling among American Indian public school students. This was undertaken because American Indians may be more at risk for problem gambling given that American Indians tend to exhibit higher rates of other addictions than the general population. Furthermore, casinos are located on American Indian reservations, increasing accessibility to gambling.

The study found that compared to their non-American Indian public school counterparts, American Indian students gamble more in general, gamble more frequently, and gamble in casinos more often. While the study did not measure problem gambling specifically, the findings suggest that more American Indian youth are at risk for becoming problem gamblers. Overall gambling participation rates declined in the American Indian youth population from 1992 to 2010 just as they did with the larger population.

In the coming months, Dr. Stinchfield will study the gambling behavior of “out-of-mainstream” youth, such as students attending alternative learning centers and those living in juvenile correction facilities. “The anticipation is that these kids are at risk or involved in risky behaviors, and thus are going to have higher rates of gambling participation,” says Dr. Stinchfield.

Future research may examine the risk and protective factors for youth. “We do prevention programs before we necessarily know the protective factors,” says Dr. Stinchfield. “One way to identify those at risk is to look for other behaviors – such as alcohol and drug use, number of sex partners, bully behavior, etc. – that may correlate with frequent gambling.” Such a finding might suggest that gambling prevention programs be part of a more generic high-risk behavior program.

The data for the study was obtained from a student survey administered by the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Public Safety and Human Services. The Northstar Alliance for Problem Gambling provides financial support for the study.

If you’re interested in obtaining a copy of Dr. Stinchfield’s study, please email Linda@northstarproblemgambling.org.

Gambling Among Minnesota Public School Students Declines

A new study of gambling rates among Minnesota youth reflects a continued, gradual decrease in the overall rate of gambling among students in 9^th and 12^th grades. However, the rate of frequent gamblers, defined as those who gamble daily or weekly, has remained substantially unchanged. The analysis of gambling behavior from Minnesota public school students spans the period from 1992 to 2010, and is one of few such gambling trend analysis studies of its kind.

“The data suggests that youth gambling is not an epidemic as some have feared,” says the University of Minnesota’s Randy Stinchfield, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and the study’s lead researcher. “Gambling for most youth is an infrequent and inconsequential past time.”

Rates of gambling frequency from 2010 data indicate that the majority of boys (51% of 9th graders and 69% of 12th graders) reported gambling in the past year, whereas a smaller percentage of girls (23% of 9th graders and 42% of 12th graders) reported gambling in the past year. In terms of frequent gambling, a small but significant number of boys (12% of 9th graders and 18% of 12th graders) reported gambling weekly or daily while a smaller number of girls (3% of 9th graders and 4% of 12th graders) reported gambling weekly or daily.

The results beg the question as to why youth gambling has decreased over the years. “While our data doesn’t provide the answer as to why gambling has declined, we can speculate as to the reasons,” says Dr. Stinchfield. One idea is that the novelty of gambling, introduced in Minnesota in 1990, has simply worn off. Another possible explanation is that youth today have so many things competing for their time, including smart phones, texting and various online activities. “It may be that the immediacy of doing something on the phone or internet is better than waiting for a poker game to get started,” hypothesizes Dr. Stinchfield. Future studies may include questions about other activities enjoyed by Minnesota youth to determine the relative role of gambling among other recreational choices.

A second analysis of the student data focused on the rates of gambling among American Indian public school students. This was undertaken because American Indians may be more at risk for problem gambling given that American Indians tend to exhibit higher rates of other addictions than the general population. Furthermore, casinos are located on American Indian reservations, increasing accessibility to gambling.

The study found that compared to their non-American Indian public school counterparts, American Indian students gamble more in general, gamble more frequently, and gamble in casinos more often. While the study did not measure problem gambling specifically, the findings suggest that more American Indian youth are at risk for becoming problem gamblers. Overall gambling participation rates declined in the American Indian youth population from 1992 to 2010 just as they did with the larger population.

In the coming months, Dr. Stinchfield will study the gambling behavior of “out-of-mainstream” youth, such as students attending alternative learning centers and those living in juvenile correction facilities. “The anticipation is that these kids are at risk or involved in risky behaviors, and thus are going to have higher rates of gambling participation,” says Dr. Stinchfield.

Future research may examine the risk and protective factors for youth. “We do prevention programs before we necessarily know the protective factors,” says Dr. Stinchfield. “One way to identify those at risk is to look for other behaviors – such as alcohol and drug use, number of sex partners, bully behavior, etc. – that may correlate with frequent gambling.” Such a finding might suggest that gambling prevention programs be part of a more generic high-risk behavior program.

The data for the study was obtained from a student survey administered by the Minnesota Departments of Education, Health, Public Safety and Human Services. The Northstar Alliance for Problem Gambling provides financial support for the study.

If you’re interested in obtaining a copy of Dr. Stinchfield’s study, please email Linda@northstarproblemgambling.org.

CEU Training for Minnesota Counselors, Therapists and Social Workers

One emphasis of the Northstar Problem Gambling Alliance is to provide training for professional therapists and counselors. Here is a great opportunity for counselors to earn CEU credits and enjoy a refreshingly different training experience.

Northstar is teaming up with instructors from the Acres for Life Center for Growth and Learning in Chisago, Minnesota, to offer two workshops for counselors in August. In an effort to introduce counselors to this type of education, session costs are extremely reasonable. Professionals can attend for $40 per session. Those who are counselors within the Minnesota State Problem Gambling Treatment network receive a reduced rate of only $20 per session. Here are the details:

Session One:  Beyond Words: Realizing the Power of Nonverbal Communication (3 CEUs)

Optional Times are Thursday, Aug 25, 2011 from 5 to 8:30 p.m, or Friday August 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Participants will learn practical knowledge about the various aspects of human communication. You will learn new skills through experiential learning activities involving work with horses. This is ground work only, and no riding is involved and no previous horse experience is required.

Session Two:  Revitalizing the Therapeutic Relationship (3 CEUs)

Optional times are Thursday, Aug. 25 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. or Friday Aug. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. How do you partner with your clients to improve their level of engagement as well as revitalize the therapist-client relationship? This workshop will help you gain practical knowledge to be applied in everyday interactions with clients. Learn what therapeutic interventions help to re-engage clients in the process of reaching their desired outcome. Uncover blocks, bias, strengths and resources. Again, this training involves interaction with trained horses doing ground work only. There is no riding and no previous experience with horses is required.

CEUs have been approved by the Minnesota Boards of Behavioral Health & Therapy; Social Work; Psychology; Marriage and Family Therapy, the Minnesota Certification Board and EAGALA, the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

For a detailed brochure and registration form, go to http://www.northstarproblemgambling.org/.