People who engage in games of chance and gambling can develop a strong dependence on them. In clinical settings, this addiction is formally termed as Gambling Disorder. The parameters that psychologists use to diagnose the disorder depend on which diagnostic manual they reference: the
DSM-5-TR or the
ICD-11. Additionally, gambling is only classified as a disorder if it dysfunctionally affects a person's life. Psychoanalyst
Edmund Bergler identified six characteristics commonly expressed by these individuals. •
Regularity of play: A central characteristic for determining the threshold at which gambling becomes excessive or pathological. •
Precedence: The game takes precedence over all personal or professional interests. •
Cognitive Distortion: There is optimism in the player that is undeterred by repeated experiences of failure. •
Disinhibition: The gambler exhibits an inability to cease play. •
Escalation of Risk: Despite the precautions that they originally promised, they end up taking too many risks. •
Subjective Thrill: The gambler often experiences a subjective thrill during phases of play, characterized by physiological tensions. For example, some of these physiological manifestations include shivering, heightened arousal, and a mixture of both painful and pleasant sensations. Consistent with
Opponent-Process Theory, these experiences correspond to significant dopamine spikes, particularly following periods of
abstinence and "
dopamine fasting." == State revenues ==