Memphis students looking to gamble are only 30 miles away fromthe third largest gambling institution in America. That could beone of the reasons The University of Memphis sponsors a campus helpand research center for compulsive gambling.
More than 100 students have received professional treatment fromThe Gambling Clinic in the past two years, and many psychologystudents are required to partake in the experiments.
The clinic, founded by practicing doctors Andy Myers and JamesWhelan, began as a result of the lack of sufficient gamblingresearch in the United States.
“We had an individual come to us with a gambling problemand we had no information on how gambling is related tostress,” said Whelan. “We came to recognize the need fora psychological study.”
The institution aims to develop a better understanding ofgambling behavior and devise treatments that successfully helpdecrease problematic behaviors. Assessment instruments are devised,and treatments are constantly being developed to help patients gaincontrol of their problem.
Laboratory studies include placing subjects ina’casino-like’ environment with instructions to try theirluck on the computer-based gambling games. Statistics across thecountry are gathered to test theories regarding casino tactics.
One study tested the notion that American casinos arestrategically missing windows and clocks to create an unawarenessof passing time. The Gambling Clinic observed a casino in Montrealmade of glass, which profited as much, if not more, than theinstitutions in the United States. Such studies allow the gamblingclinic to refute or reinforce a theory.
The popularity of gambling as a pastime has grown so rapidlyamong college students that there is now a casino at least fourhours away from every college campus in America. Not surprisingly,the majority of problematic or pathological gambling is prevalentamongst college students.
The cause of pathological gambling is not yet understood.However, there are four feasible possibilities the gambling clinicrecognizes.
One belief is that gambling disorders are the result of abiological inclination to risk taking and adrenaline. Thebehavioral approach advocates the notion of reinforcement: theoccasional victory prompts the gambler to continue playing in hopesof further profit. Others believe the best predictor of a collegegambler is the environment in which he or she is raised. Childrenof gamblers are more likely to have a gambling problem than thoseraised in a ‘non-gambling’ household. Finally, manypeople believe the behavior is addictive and, like any habit,extremely difficult to kick, once formed.
“There is no real proof to back any of thesetheories,” said Whelan, “but there is certainly evidencethat can support each one.”
One University of Memphis student, an unofficial Tunicaresident, seems to embody all of these theories.
“My parents used to gamble, and I crave the rush like theydid, I guess,” he said. “There is nothing like thefeeling you get when you win, and after awhile it becomes part ofyour routine.”
The Gambling Clinic studies show when this routine becomes anobsession, gamblers are more likely to commit suicide, file forbankruptcy, spend time in jail, and experience maritaldisruption.
People who think about gambling, gamble to escape problems,borrow money from others to pay gambling debts or lie in order tohide gambling are likely to have a problematic habit.
The Gambling Clinic on campus offers a nine-session programconducted by trained therapists designed to help individuals gaincontrol over gambling.
For further information or to seek help, check out The GamblingClinic on the Internet at www.gambling.memphis.edu.
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