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Accurately depicting pathological gamblers: Policy and treatment implications

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Abstract

This paper describes results from a 3-year study of pathological gambling in the general population. Two distinct groups of pathological gamblers, based on income, were distinguished in the general population. These two groups varied considerably on several dimensions, including their demographic characteristics, gambling involvement and problematic gambling-related behaviors. These results contradict widely-accepted beliefs about the characteristics and behaviors of pathological gamblers and suggest that efforts in outreach, education and program development must be expanded to include types of pathological gamblers beyond those currently in treatment.

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This work was funded by Research Grant MH44295 from the Violence & Traumatic Stress Research Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Volberg, R.A., Steadman, H.J. Accurately depicting pathological gamblers: Policy and treatment implications. J Gambling Stud 8, 401–412 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01024126

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