Why should physicians recognize compulsive gambling?

Preview

Compulsive gambling affects about 1% of the adult population and is becoming more prevalent as opportunities to gamble increase. Some believe gambling to be America's national pastime. Negative effects reach far beyond the financial burden compulsive gambling represents to gamblers and their families. Dr Daghestani presents a summary of physical and psychological problems that often bring the gambler to the physician's office, methods for treating both the gambling and the presenting complaint, and reasons why physicians need to be aware of this problem and their beliefs about it.