and physiological activation, all of which are relieved when the behavior is performed (Hantouche and Merckaert 393-408).In addition, it has been noted that in a compulsive gambling creates a repetitive thought related to gambling that they cannot remove from their minds. This leads them to gamble against their will, especially in advanced phases of the disorder (Lesieur 79-87).Another view of compulsive gambling is through a non-pharmacological addiction. The common elements to all kinds of addiction are an intense desire to satisfy a need, loss of control over the substance or behavior. Symptoms of abstinence and tolerance, thoughts about the use of the substance and performance of the behavior despite its adverse consequences (OMS, 1993). All these elements are present in compulsive gambling. Gamblers intense longing to bet is equivalent to the cravings experienced by substance abusers, a study done by Castellani and Rugle (1995).Although problem gambling is similar to substance abusers in many ways, it is much more difficult to detect because there are no physical signs of it as there are with addiction to alcohol or other drugs. You cannot smell problem gambling on a problem gamblers breath. A problem gamblers eyes do not dilate. Dice, chips, and cards do not leave marks on a problem gamblers arms. Problem gambling does not make you walk funny, stagger, and fall down in a stupor the way excessive alcohol consumption can. Given all this, it is not surprising that problem gambling is a hidden, difficult to detect addiction.The absence of physical signs of gambling addiction also makes it easy for the problem gambler to conceal and deny the problem. The closest people to a gambler are his or her family, friends, and co-workers who can be easily deceived by him or her. Problem gamblers are skilled liars, and are very clever at concealing their gambling activities and gambling related problems. The absence of physical signs ...
