Causal Factors in Pathological Gambling

Pathological Gambling has been the most neglected form of addiction so far. There has been little systematic research on the matter and the causal factors revolving around it hasn't been well understood. For this reason, the number of pathological gamblers is far from getting extinguished. Usually, the person who would be a pathological gambler wins it big the first time in gambling establishments. Call this a beginner's luck but this only worsens the person's conviction to continue gambling. But chance alone can be pinpointed for their luck, which dwindles and favors the gambling establishment every time that person goes back. The reinforcement individuals get during their first big win plays a very influential role in molding his/her later pathological gambling. Anyone can get struck by beginner's luck, but the principles of sporadic reinforcement could clarify the issues regarding the addict's continued plays with chance even in the face of heavy losses.

Notwithstanding their knowledge that the odds are up against them, and in spite of the fact that it is highly unlikely that they would win back lady luck like the first time, pathological gamblers still continue to gamble injudiciously. To continue their gambling habits, they drain their savings, ignore their families, fail to catch up with their bills, and end up borrowing from their friends and loaning companies. When they drain these options too, there's a pretty good chance that compulsive gamblers would resort writing bad checks, embezzlement, stealing and other criminal offenses to acquire money. Why would they go to such lengths? Here's the epitome of their disorder, compulsive gamblers persist in their conviction that their luck would change and that they can reverse their bad luck in just one big win. Only when that happens that they believed that they can make up for everything they have lost. Other compulsive gamblers find their gambling as disruptive and unethical. However, they are gambling with calculated risks toward a lucrative business. Their personality profile however is that they feel alone and that other people don't understand them.

In a study of former pathological gamblers, it was found out that they are rebellious and unconventional. They are the people who usually miscomprehend the ethical practices of society. Half of them even admitted to hate rules and regulations. Of the 30 men studied, have gone to jail for crimes related to their gambling problems. Moreover, these people make decisions unrealistically and are prone to a highly stimulating situation. They loved action and needed excitement. And although they know the odds of winning in gambling dwindle in the long term, this rule does not apply to them. Usually, before going to a gambling establishment, they think that tonight is their night. And in the morning, all things would be vindicated.