title: The reification of the "pathological" gambler: an analysis of gambling treatment and the application of the medical model to problem gambling.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Is the medical model used to reify "pathological" gambling?
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative field study of 12 subjects with the diagnosis "pathological" gambler.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 12 subjects being treated for "pathological" gambling fit neatly in the category of "pathological" gambler. An examination of the treatment center revealed institutional grounds for the use of this diagnosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rather than a medical diagnosis, "pathological" gambling is a socially constructed phenomenon. Using the medical model serves clients interpersonally and clinicians occupationally.
authors.affiliation: Community College of Baltimore County, Essex, MD, USA.
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wedgeworth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015985:Precipitating Factors; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires