Abstract
Social, psychological and physical consequences of pathological gambling reported by 42 pathological gamblers recruited mainly by advertising were compared with data on 63 pathological gamblers identified by case-finding within districts of probation, in- and out-patient psychiatric care and social welfare authorities. The two studies gave similar results. Financial breakdown, impaired relations with family and friends, and psychological problems occurred in about 50% of the pathological gamblers. Physical consequences were perceived to be of minor significance. Gambling became a solitary behavior as illegal behaviors to finance gambling increased. The pathological gamblers frequently abused alcohol. Despite these signs of social decay the pathological gamblers strove not to be a burden in society.
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Bergh, C., Kühlhorn, E. Social, psychological and physical consequences of pathological gambling in Sweden. J Gambling Stud 10, 275–285 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104968
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02104968