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Introduction
Pathological gambling is the most prevalent and severe form of
non-chemical addiction. Considering the risk factors and
consequences of pathological gambling, it is taken as the main
representative of all non-chemical addictions. Addictions are often
characterized as forms of impulsive behavior, but it is important to
mention here that the concept of impulsive behavior is layered and
includes different psychological domains. It is challenging to
categorize pathological gambling into just one category, ie. into a
disorder characterized by impulsivity or into behavioral addiction,
since there are obvious overlaps. Historically, pathological
gambling has long been viewed as an impulse control disorder, but
has recently been reclassified as a behavioral addiction. Unlike
chemical addictions, this type does not involve substance
consumption. There is a compulsion to repeat the act of gambling
despite the obvious negative social, family, professional and health
consequences. With the above in mind, the changes within the latest
classifications are not surprising. Although not listed in the
diagnostic criteria, impulsivity and neuropsychological deficits are
an integral part of gambling disorder. For this reason, they are
essential for a more complete understanding of the profile of
pathological gamblers.
Classification according to DSM
In 1980, pathological gambling was first introduced as a
separate psychiatric entity in the third edition of the Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-3) of the American
Psychiatric Association (APA) [1]. In the next edition, DSM-4
characterized it as impulse control disorder not elsewhere
classified together with pyromania, kleptomania and trichotillomania
[2]. Pathological gambling within DSM-4 is considered if five or
more of the following criteria are met:
- preoccupation with gambling;
- the need to gamble with increasing amounts in order to
achieve the desired excitement;
- there are previous unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce
and stop gambling;
- trying to reduce gambling leads to tension and anxiety;
- gambling is used as an escape from problems and from a
dysphoric mood (eg feelings of powerlessness, guilt, anxiety,
depression);
- turning to gambling as a way to recover previously lost
money;
- lying to friends, family and therapists as part of
minimizing the problem;
- resorting to criminal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft or
embezzlement in order to obtain money for further gambling;
- jeopardizing family and friendship ties, as well as loss of
job, educational and career opportunities due to gambling;
- relying on others to get out of a desperate financial
situation caused by gambling.
Also, the last criterion is that the gambling is not part of the
manic episode.
Unlike DSM-4, in DSM-5 pathological gambling is called gambling
disorder. In the fifth edition of this manual, gambling disorder was
classified together with substance use disorders and recognized as a
non-substance addictive disorder [3]. In the latest DSM-5 manual,
criteria related to committing illegal acts such as forgery, fraud,
theft and embezzlement were removed. Since the number of criteria is
reduced, four or more criteria must be met to establish a diagnosis
of gambling disorder. Also, a time frame that must be met is given,
which is the persistence of complaints for the last twelve months
since the diagnosis.
Modern understandings classify pathological gambling as a so-called
behavioral addiction. All addictions have in common that they
activate the brain's reward system, which is involved in reinforcing
behavior and creating memories. Just as psychoactive substances
directly activate this system, behavioral addictions do so through
adaptive behavior. The pharmacological mechanisms by which each
psychoactive substance leads to a feeling of pleasure are different,
but ultimately all of these mechanisms act on the reward system
producing a feeling of pleasure or euphoria [4]. Neurobiological
research has shown that behavioral addictions act almost equally on
certain neurotransmitter systems as psychoactive substances, thus
confirming the hypothesis of their common development mechanisms
[4]. Current research shows that the ventral striatum (dopaminergic
neurotransmission) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (impulse
control and reward system) are brain structures that could be
responsible for the development of craving in cocaine addicts as
well as pathological gamblers [5,6]. From a pharmacotherapeutic
point of view, it is also possible to see the similarity between
persons with gambling disorder and persons addicted to PAS. The
opioid antagonist naltrexone used to treat opiate addicts has shown
short-term significant efficacy in reducing the urge to gamble in
pathological gamblers in two studies conducted in New York [7].
There are data on the use of SSRIs and mood stabilizers in the
treatment of pathological gambling. These data should be taken with
a grain of salt considering the unproven efficacy due to the sample
size, the questionable methodology of individual studies, as well as
the high placebo effect [7]. In addition to the above facts that
make pathological gambling closer to substance addiction, there are
also those that distance it from the previous classification as part
of impulse control disorders. Namely, the overwhelming impulsive
drive that exists in kleptomania and pyromania and the feeling of
relief after the action is performed - is not characteristic of
pathological gambling. In contrast, the act of gambling itself is
described as pleasurable, and discomfort occurs after a loss and
cessation of gambling [8]. There are studies that show that people
addicted to gambling have a large number of first-degree relatives
diagnosed with addiction to various PAS [9]. This fact could support
the genetic influence of pathological gambling and PAS addiction.
The strongest arguments in favor of the reclassification of
pathological gambling under the category of addiction are:
similarities with the diagnostic characteristics of PAS addiction;
high degree of comorbidity between these two disorders; their common
features including aspects related to the reward system; findings
that the same brain structures are involved in both disorders. Also,
research on compulsivity suggests these similarities, especially in
the later stages of the disorder [10]. There is an increasing number
of facts that point to the similarity between pathological gambling
and PAS addiction. The assumption is that this is exactly what led
to its reclassification in DSM-5, and apparently also in ICD-11.
Classification according to ICD
Regarding the tenth revision of the International Classification
of Diseases (ICD-10), which is currently valid in our region,
pathological gambling (F63.0) is classified as a disorder of habits
and impulses, together with kleptomania, pyromania and
trichotillomania [11]. Without clearly defined diagnostic criteria,
the basic characteristic of pathological gambling is persistent
repetition of gambling that continues and often increases despite
serious social consequences such as impoverishment, disturbed family
relationships and disruption of personal life. Also, it is important
to distinguish pathological gambling from gambling and betting,
excessive gambling of manic patients and gambling of sociopathic
personalities.
The eleventh revision of the International Classification of
Diseases (ICD-11) [12] led to several novelties that brought the ICD
and DSM classification closer together. Gambling disorder (6C50)
within ICD-11 is classified under behavioral addictions together
with addictions to psychoactive substances. This change is
significant since the term behavioral addiction has not been used in
any of the ICD and DSM classifications until now. For the first
time, the disorder of playing video games ("gaming" disorder) was
included in the same group of behavioral addictions. Also, both
disorders are subclassified into online and offline disorders, where
online involves gambling via the Internet or similar networks, while
offline manifests itself in the real world. Within ICD-11, a
descriptive definition is given that gambling disorder is
characterized by persistent or recurrent behavior involving gambling
that may be online (6C50.1), offline (6C50.0) or unspecified
(6C50.Z). There are clearly three criteria that must be met for the
diagnosis of gambling disorder [12]:
A persistent pattern of gambling behavior that can be online or
offline, and manifests as follows:
Lack of control over gambling behavior (eg gambling initiation,
frequency, intensity, duration, termination, context);
Organizing life priorities so that gambling is at the very top of
the ladder, while other life interests and activities become less
important;
Continuation or escalation of gambling despite negative consequences
(eg, marital conflict, significant financial losses, negative impact
on health).
The pattern of gambling behavior can be continuous or episodic and
recurrent, but always manifests itself over a longer period of time
(eg 12 months). Gambling behavior is not manifested as part of
another mental disorder (eg manic episode) nor is it a consequence
of taking a substance or medication.
A pattern of gambling behavior leads to significant distress or
deterioration in personal, family, social, educational, career, and
other areas of life.
As mentioned, there are similarities in the way gambling disorders
are reclassified within DSM-5 and ICD-11. As in DSM-5, pathological
gambling is recognized as a form of addiction. In ICD-11, it was
renamed gambling disorder and classified as behavioral addictions.
The latest revisions of both classifications (DSM and ICD) have the
same development path and essentially the same foundations, and a
change in the perception of gambling within diagnostics is clearly
visible.
Impulsivity and neuropsychological deficits in pathological
gambling compared to PAS addicts
Impulsive behavior most often occurs in specific psychiatric
disorders such as hyperkinetic disorder (ADHD), borderline and
dissociative personality disorder, PAS addiction, mania, and
pathological gambling [13]. Impulsivity consists of at least two
dimensions: disinhibition (or impulsive action), and impulsive
decision-making (or impulsive choices).[14] It is a complex behavior
characterized by lower sensitivity to the negative consequences of
behavior, inadequate sensory processing of stimuli, a tendency to
prefer immediate rewards compared to more valuable but delayed
rewards, risky behavior when making decisions, as well as adherence
to harmful or punishable behavior [ 15 ]. Although impulsivity is
not explicitly listed as a symptom of PAS use disorders in the DSM
and ICD classifications, many theories suggest that impulsivity
influences and leads to the progression of addiction. In addition,
impulsivity may be associated with greater likelihood of initiation
of PAS use, rapid escalation of use, inability to reduce or stop
use, and greater likelihood of relapse despite motivation to
maintain abstinence [16]. Research has shown that PAS addicts (more
specifically heroin addicts) have a strong tendency to value
immediate gains over long-term ones. Interestingly, pathological
gamblers exhibited the same behavior and a similar cognitive profile
to addicts [17]. In addition, a meta-analysis by a group of American
scientists found that pathological gamblers without substance abuse
comorbidity are characterized by motor impulsivity, which was
determined both at the behavioral level and by the self-report
method. This can be concluded that it is an element of their
psychopathology that feeds the need to gamble despite the negative
consequences [18].
Cognitive distortions are an integral part of gambling disorders,
but they are not a diagnostic criterion, despite the fact that they
can be treated as a predictor of gambling problems [19]. One of the
most representative forms of cognitive distortion in pathological
gamblers is the so-called the illusion of control. This phrase was
coined by Ellen Langer and defined as the expectation of success
even though the chances of success are objectively less likely than
assumed [20]. In addition to the illusion of control, other
cognitive distortions include a special form of predictive control
(the belief that it is possible to predict the outcome of future
gambling by analyzing previous patterns) and the tendency to
positively interpret previous experiences in a way that favors the
decision to continue gambling [21].
By examining studies on disorders conditioned by the use of PAS, a
parallel was observed with cognitive distortions in pathological
gamblers: there are expectations related to the gambling experience,
i.e. the belief that gambling will make the person feel better, and
the inability to stop gambling, i.e. loss of control [22]. One of
the criteria for diagnosing PAS addiction according to ICD-10 is the
loss of control over taking the substance and the inability to stop.
Many 21st century studies point to a deficit of executive functions
in pathological gamblers. Executive functions include a set of
processes that enable self-management and available resources to
achieve a specific goal. These include inhibition, emotion control,
initiation, working memory, self-control, abstract thinking, problem
solving, organizational skills, understanding rules, and
categorization. Dysfunctionality in terms of planning [23], reduced
cognitive flexibility [24], as well as lack of behavioral inhibition
[24,25,26,27] have been described in a number of different studies.
Also, the achieved performance on the IGT (Iowa Gambling Task) test,
which was designed to assess decision-making capacity, showed that
there is a deficit in pathological gamblers [23,28,29]. Gambling
disorder is also characterized by low self-control, which is thought
to be related to executive function deficits. Thus, psychological
"myopia" for the consequences of actions and what may happen in the
future is often part of the profile of a pathological gambler [30].
Research has proven a neuropsychological deficit in PAS addicts, and
precisely because of this deficit, addicts continue to consume
substances and have difficulty maintaining abstinence (if they start
treatment). For example, one study showed that 68% of respondents in
the group of PAS addicts showed a deficit in executive functions,
while this percentage was 3% within the control group [31]. A
deficit in terms of cognitive flexibility was observed especially in
opiate and cocaine addicts, a deficit in attention and impulse
control in amphetamine addicts, a deficit in terms of cognitive
flexibility and attention in cannabis users, while memory and
learning disorders were observed to the greatest extent in smokers
[32] . Despite the fact that impulsivity and cognitive deficit are
not part of the diagnosis within the classifications, we cannot
ignore them considering their frequency in pathological gamblers.
CONCLUSION
Gambling disorder is an often neglected public health problem due
to its high prevalence and the consequences it causes both for the
individual and for society. Looking at the latest literature, the
global prevalence of pathological gambling is between 0.5% and 3%,
while the prevalence of subclinical gambling is estimated to be
three to four times higher [33], which speaks to the magnitude and
complexity of the gambling problem. Addiction is often directly
linked to impulsivity. Impulsive behavior is marked as an indicator
of potential substance use, as well as a progression towards more
dangerous and frequent consumption. Pathological gambling and
substance dependence have undeniable similarities when looking at
the onset and development of the disease, comorbidities, and even
etiology. Therefore, it is not surprising that the new
classification within DSM-5 and ICD-11 places gambling disorder in
the addiction group and categorizes it as a behavioral addiction.
The very name change to gambling disorder is explained in the
literature as an attempt to reduce the stigma associated with the
term "pathological" [34]. When it comes to reclassification and
arguments for and against, it is impossible to make a final
judgment. Pathological gambling is a very complex disease that is
accompanied by neuropsychological deficits and impulsive behavior,
both characteristic of addicts and people with impulse control
disorders. Given the high overlap, it is challenging to look at
gambling within just one of the categories. Nevertheless, the
reclassification is significant for several reasons. First, there
are similarities with the diagnostic characteristics of chemical
addiction. Second, there is a high degree of comorbidity between
impulse control disorders and addiction. Third, both involve the
reward system and activate the same parts of the brain. It is
assumed that these similarities led to the reclassification in both
DSM-5 and ICD-11. It is still not entirely clear how this change in
the perception of gambling within diagnostics will affect the actual
treatment of pathological gambling.
Conflict of interest: Maša Čomić: none. Vladimir Knežević: none.
Aleksandra Dickov: none. Dragana Ratković: none. Minja Abazović:
none
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