gettingpastgambling.com

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The Custer Three Phase Model

Robert L. Custer, M.D., identified the progression of gambling addiction as including three phases:

the winning phase
the losing phase
and the desperation phase.

During the winning phase, gamblers experience a big win ­ or a series of wins ­ that leaves them with unreasonable optimism that their winning will continue. This leads them to feel great excitement when gambling, and they begin increasing the amounts of their bets.

During the losing phase, the gamblers often begin bragging about wins they have had, start gambling alone, think more about gambling and borrow money ­ legally or illegally. They start lying to family and friends and become more irritable, restless and withdrawn. Their home life becomes more unhappy, and they are unable to pay off debts. The gamblers begin to "chase" their losses, believing they must return as soon as possible to win back their losses.

During the desperation phase, there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling. This is accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. Eventually, the gamblers may engage in illegal acts to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, arrests, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.

http://www.addictionrecov.org/aboutgam.htm#gamblingdifferences

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THREE PHASES OF GAMBLING

There are three distinct stages people with gambling problems go through before they "hit bottom" and realize they need help. It begins with the "Winning" Phase.



PHASE 1 - WINNING


Gambling begins as a social activity. It seems fun, normal. During this phase, people:

§ Sometimes win large amounts of money

§ Feel invincible, so they bet bigger amounts because they believe they will win even more

§ Bet even more to maintain the excitement level.

But gambling isn't always about money. Problem gamblers like the excitement of gambling, the dream of winning big, or the escape from everyday problems or stresses.



PHASE 2 - LOSING


This is where the real trouble begins. During this phase, gamblers:

§ Feel like their activity is under control. In reality, it is not.

§ Seek more action

§ Believe they can quit whenever they want to, but see no need to quit

§ Gamble to win back what they've lost (Chasing)

§ Gamble and then lie about it

§ Hide their losses

§ Take out loans so they can continue

§ Break their promises to quit

§ Borrow from family and friends

§ Have relationships that begin to suffer

§ Some problem gamblers attempt suicide before they seek treatment.



PHASE 3 - DESPERATION


Problem gamblers go through this stage just before they hit rock bottom. They usually:

Feel desperation and hopelessness as losses continue to mount
Cling to their fantasy of winning -- hoping to make everything well again
Finally realize that they can't win, but they keep gambling anyway
Have little concern for the people around them
Steal, write bad checks, or commit illegal activities to finance their gambling
Sometimes have winning episodes, but simply a means of gambling longer
Money is like Monopoly money.
Some problem gamblers attempt suicide before they seek treatment

http://www.cghub.co.za/

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Phases of Gambling

Winning phase. The gambler wins, maybe a large win or maybe many small wins. They feel excited and begin to gamble more in anticipation of winning more.

Losing phase. The gambler begins to gamble more and to lose more. They begin to spend more money and may resort to borrowing or obtaining money by deception to finance their gambling activities. They begin chasing their losses. They begin to lie about their gambling activity.

Desperation phase. The losses have added up. They suffer from remorse, anxiety and depression. The gambler begins to gamble fervently to try and win back their losses. This the phase when all control is lost and the gambler becomes desperate in attempting to win back money. Gamblers begin to engage in illegal activities to finance their gambling. Lying and deception escalate. The gambler may become suicidal at this point.