DEAR ABBY: Your response to "Hopeful in Kentucky," the man whose wife is a gambler, was right on the money. Pathological gambling was first identified as a mental disorder in 1980. According to the American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling can be identified if a person exhibits at least five of the following 10 symptoms:
(1) Is preoccupied with gambling.
(2) Tries unsuccessfully to control, cut back or stop.
(3) Gambles with increasing amounts of money.
(4) Becomes restless or irritable when attempting to cut back or stop.
(5) Gambles as a way of escaping problems or relieving feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression.
(6) After losing money gambling, often returns to get even.
(7) Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of gambling.
(8) Commits illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement to finance gambling.
(9) Jeopardizes or loses a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
(10) Relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling. -- ERIC GEFFNER, PH.D., CERTIFIED COMPULSIVE GAMBLER COUNSELOR, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF.
DEAR DR. GEFFNER: After that letter appeared, several readers wrote to point out that people with gambling problems should contact Gamblers Anonymous, P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, CA 90017, or call (213) 386-8789. The Web site is: www.gamblersanonymous.org.
Also, the National Council on Compulsive Gambling, a nonprofit organization, refers gamblers to qualified mental health professionals who have been trained to work with gamblers and their families. The hotline number is: 1-800-522-4700.