Female Gamblers - Predisposing Factors

PREDISPOSING FACTORS THAT LEAD TO GAMBLING ADDICTION FOR ESCAPE GAMBLERS

95% OF WOMEN AND A NUMBER OF MEN WHO CALL THE ARIZONA COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING MEET OUR CRITERIA FOR ESCAPE GAMBLING: Gambling was not a problem until predisposing factors appeared; plays "luck" games e.g. bingo, lottery, slot or video poker machines; gambled first as recreation then as "escape" from problems. All previous coping skills are abandoned for the anesthetizing quality the gambling has for them. It becomes their only coping mechanism

STEPPING OVER THE LINE: WHY ME? WHY NOW?

ACCEPTABILITY+ ACCESSIBILITY + PREDISPOSING FACTORS= POSSIBLE ADDICTION

ACCEPTABILITY: It was once socially unacceptable for women to go to gambling establishments by themselves. In 1981 the Arizona Lottery introduced its first form of gambling: a single scratch ticket. Followed by the Pick and Lotto, by the time Indian Casinos were introduced, the climate of acceptability had been established: it is okay for everyone to gamble.

ACCESSIBILITY: Most escape gamblers will only gamble if legal gambling is easily accessible.

Add to acceptability and accessibility any one or a combination of the following and someone who previously gambled "normally", or not at all, may find gambling becoming a problem.

��


FEMALE GAMBLERS
Female Gamblers Predisposing Factors Symptoms of Escape Gambling Getting women into Recovery and keeping them there For more information, click in the TOP menu on: "Types of Gamblers" "Gambling Facts" Women Helping Women Newsletter- a great resource for women in recovery CoDA - Codependency Anonymous PREDISPOSING FACTORS THAT LEAD TO GAMBLING ADDICTION FOR ESCAPE GAMBLERS 95% OF WOMEN AND A NUMBER OF MEN WHO CALL THE ARIZONA COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING MEET OUR CRITERIA FOR ESCAPE GAMBLING: Gambling was not a problem until predisposing factors appeared; plays "luck" games e.g. bingo, lottery, slot or video poker machines; gambled first as recreation then as "escape" from problems. All previous coping skills are abandoned for the anesthetizing quality the gambling has for them. It becomes their only coping mechanism STEPPING OVER THE LINE: WHY ME? WHY NOW? ACCEPTABILITY+ ACCESSIBILITY + PREDISPOSING FACTORS= POSSIBLE ADDICTION ACCEPTABILITY: It was once socially unacceptable for women to go to gambling establishments by themselves. In 1981 the Arizona Lottery introduced its first form of gambling: a single scratch ticket. Followed by the Pick and Lotto, by the time Indian Casinos were introduced, the climate of acceptability had been established: it is okay for everyone to gamble. ACCESSIBILITY: Most escape gamblers will only gamble if legal gambling is easily accessible. Add to acceptability and accessibility any one or a combination of the following and someone who previously gambled "normally", or not at all, may find gambling becoming a problem. ��		EMOTIONAL ESCAPE FROM PREDISPOSING FACTORS BOREDOM STRESS GRIEF LOSS OF FINANCES/ HOME HEALTH PROBLEMS FEAR OF DEATH ISOLATION LACK OF LEISURE ACTIVITIES/HOBBIES CONTROLLING OR DOMINEERING SPOUSE LONELINESS CHRONIC PAIN LOSS OF YOUTH DEPRESSION "EMPTY NEST’ IDENTITY ISSUES RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES ABUSE Compulsive gambling is a diagnosable & treatable disease, not a disgrace. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, get help somewhere.
The ACCG is a proud affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling