gambling

gambling

 [gamb´ling]

betting money or other valuables on the outcome of a game or other event.

pathological gambling an impulse control disorder consisting of persistent failure to resist the urge to gamble, to such an extent that personal, family, and vocational life are seriously disrupted.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

An activity in which a person wagers against another person or organization on the likelihood of a particular outcome, either in a game of chance, a sports event or other activity for which the outcome is not known in advance

Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

gambling

Vox populi An activity in which a person wagers against another person–eg, friend, acquaintance, bookmaker or 'bookie', or organization–eg, casino, horse race track, internet company engaged in said activity, either legal or illegal, on the likelihood of a particular outcome, either in a game of chance, or sports event or other activity for which the outcome is not known in advance. See Compulsive gambling.

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

gambling

1. Wagering or betting.

2. Risking something of value in the hope of winning something even more valuable or rare in exchange.

Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners

Patient discussion about gambling

Q. Do people substitute one addiction with another? If someone used to be addicted to alcohol and drugs, but is now clean for several months, is it likely that he will develop an addiction to something else (for example cigarettes or gambling)?

A. I'd just like to add my 2 cents worth: Addictive behavior transfers to just about anything; addiction is the problem. Just as addicts have to learn that alcohol is also a drug, we must recognize that addiction is the problem; it is the behavior that is the problem. A common thing for addicts to do is to stop using drugs (including alcohol) and to substitute with people instead, for example, to become involved in codependent relationships with others, or to recognize that their ongoing relationships may also be codependent. It's not uncommon for individuals to go to CoDA (Codependents Anonymous) in addition to AA/NA or GA(Gambler's Anonymous), MA (Marijuana Anonymous)...Others find it more beneficial to use one program (like NA, e.g.), while realizing that addiction refers to more than just a drug or substance.

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