SIMILARITIES

1. Inability to stop

2. Denial

3. Severe depression and mood swings

4. Progressive disease with phases and stages

5. Chasing the first win/high

6. First drink - first win remembered

7. Blackouts - Brownouts

8. Addiction used to escape from pain

9. Preoccupation

10. Low self-esteem and high ego

11. Dysfunctional families

12. High of gambling similar to rush of cocaine

13. Use of rituals

14. Severe depression and mood swings

DIFFERENCES

1. Hidden addiction.

2. Individuals cannot overdose; there is no saturation point.

3. Tremendous financial problems which require immediate attention in treatment.

4. Compulsive gamblers can function at employment site.

5. Compulsive gambling cannot be tested in a setting as in drugs.

6. Compulsive gambling does not require ingestion of chemical for a high.

7. Fewer resources available for compulsive gamblers and their families.

8. Perceptions of the disease not easily related to the general public.

9. Prevention message not easily accepted by the community.