Looking for Escape: Women and Problem Gambling Donna Whitmire Linda Graves 2007 Treatment Institute Tacoma, Washington June 28, 2007

Action vs. Escape --Independent –Overachievers –Competitive –Risk takers –Thrill seekers/crave attention –Easily bored Action

 Arrogant/grandiose/narcissistic  Extrovert  High status professions  Tend to be leaders/like to be first  Good wit numbers  may have been a “tomboy” as a child  Equates self concept with quantity and quality of possessions Action

Action vs. Escape –Dependent –Passive –Low self-esteem/ self-worth –Feels unappreciated –Introvert Escape

 Tend to be followers  Family history of CD/other addictions  History of being abused, particularly sexually  May have been raised in lower socio-economic home  Unhappy in current marriage or relationship  Unresolved grief  Less interested with numbers Escape

What draws women to escape through gambling? Safe Fun Don’t have to have skill to play Reduces stress/ pressure Mood adjustment (lessens anger/depression)

What draws women to escape through gambling? Fantasy of improving financial problems Control Increased feelings of worthiness Forget/escape (disassociation) avoidance; calms the mind Hide out/no demands on her time

Predisposing events that may contribute to a woman becoming addicted to gambling: History of –Emotional abuse –Physical abuse –Sexual abuse –Neglect –Family history of addiction –Divorce or break up in a marriage

Predisposing events that may contribute to a woman becoming addicted to gambling: Death of: –Parent –Child –Spouse/partner –Close friend/relative –Pet Physical health problems Menopause Raised in a home where money was scarce

Predisposing events that may contribute to a woman becoming addicted to gambling: Unresolved grief Empty nest Early introduction to gambling Personality factors –poor impulse control –Poor coping skills –Perfectionism –Restlessness (ADD/ADHD) –People pleasers Chronic stress: marriage, financial, vocational naivete’ about gambling

Women who took their lives back from compulsive gambling Reasons for gambling Bored 73.4% Looking for fun 62.7% Looking for action61.6% Depressed59.9% Big win59.9% Feeling lonely 58.2% Escape spouse worries 57.1% Cover debts49.2% Get rich48.6% Escape job worries35.0% Diane Rae Davis, Ph.D. Women Who Took their Lives Back from Compulsive Gambling: Eastern Washington University.

Effects of Gambling Lied/whereabouts77.3% Mental health deteriorated76.7% Lied about losses76.6% Gambled whole paycheck66.5% Borrowed $ from family56.3% Diane Rae Davis, Ph.D. Women Who Took their Lives Back from Compulsive Gambling: Eastern Washington University.

Borrowed $ from friends51.1% Sold/pawned to get $ to gamble 49.4% Wrote bad checks 48.3% Couldn’t pay loans 46.6% Physical health declined41.5% Borrowed $ from paycheck40.3% Effects of Gambling Diane Rae Davis, Ph.D. Women Who Took their Lives Back from Compulsive Gambling: Eastern Washington University.

What did these women look like? Age: years with the average 45.4 Race/ethnicity: –White88.9% –African/American 3.9% –Asian/American 2.3 % –Hispanic 1.7% –Other 3.4% Diane Rae Davis, Ph.D. Women Who Took their Lives Back from Compulsive Gambling: Eastern Washington University.

Personal History of Substance Abuse Recovery related to Gambling Recovery Personal History of Substance Abuse Substance Abuse and Gambling

Donna Whitmire, NCGC-11 Linda Graves, NCGC-11