title: Gambling in the south: implications for physicians.
abstract: Three historical cycles of legalized gambling have occurred in the South. Currently, every southern state has legalized some form of gaming. Adult past-year prevalence rates of problem gambling in southern states are within the national range. Higher prevalence rates occur in states with casinos and multiple forms of legalized gambling. States with lotteries have higher prevalence rates of adolescent problem gambling. Problem gambling can cause stress-induced physical diseases and psychiatric symptoms in gamblers and their families. Physicians can reduce personal, family, and social costs of problem gambling through increased awareness, strategic screening, and early intervention. Treatment approaches include inpatient treatment centers, self-help fellowship groups, and cognitive-behavioral and addiction-based psychotherapies. Although no standard pharmacologic treatments for gambling disorders exist, use of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors is under investigation. Referral resources are available to physicians in states with state-funded treatment programs for problem gamblers and/or state councils for problem gambling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Medical Center-Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Westphal
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stodghill
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stevens
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005715:Gambling / Q000523:psychology; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007878:Legislation as Topic; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D015995:Prevalence; D011613:Psychotherapy; D015144:Southeastern United States; D013219:State Government