“Bet responsibly”. That advertising cliché in the media should not deceive anyone. People from all walks of life are apparently betting unreservedly and addiction tendencies are catching up with resultant psychiatric tendencies.

Betting is said to be causing serious mental health issues among gamblers even to the extent of creating suicidal tendencies. Yet, because mental health is seriously played down in our society, gambling is growing at a fast rate both online and in betting shops.

Unfortunately, addiction does not know responsible behavior and that is the worry.

Ironically, while people are getting addicted, the business of gambling is seen visibly to be thriving in our society, to the extent that the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has found it necessary to demand their pound of flesh from operators by introducing the recent Income Tax Amendment Act 721. 

This act was introduced to consolidate the laws relating to casinos and other gaming activities other than lottery. The new tax regime of 10 per cent is deducted at payout.

Threat

So, should a game that one would have thought is played for fun, now assume such overarching prominence in our society to the extent of becoming a mental health issue not pose a worry? Or is the GRA tax meant to deter operators and gamblers?

And how much threat is gambling addiction as a public health issue?

These and many more were questions that I posed to Rev. Dr Joseph Kofi Aidoo when I visited his clinic last Wednesday at the Greater Accra Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Adabraka on a fact-finding mission.

In a chat with him, Rev. Dr. Kofi Aidoo, an ordained Presbyterian Minister who doubles up as a Specialist Psychiatrist with the Greater Accra Regional Psychiatric Hospital told me point blank that the problem of gambling addiction is very real. He said the addiction is fast becoming a psychiatric problem with some patients at the edge of committing suicide due to the resultant debt levels gambling addiction has left them with.

He reiterated that mental disorder is not only when people take off their clothes and roam the streets.

Gambling which is being practised by all manner of persons, including the youth, gets them so hooked on, chasing after wins and when the wins come, the feeling good factor urges them to try another one.  They would continue non-stop until addiction sets in, spending their wins and then digging deep into their own pockets.

Reward

As explained to me by the Specialist Psychiatrist, gambling operates with the principle of reward, fixed and variable.

With fixed rewards, gamblers know what reward is coming their way. However, when it is variable because the gambler does not know the quantum of reward, they then become consistent with the action of “if you try and don’t succeed, try, try and try again.” The result is addiction.

As to who is engaged in gambling, Dr. Aidoo said. “Gambling does not discriminate. The young, old, professionals, men, women all fall for it”. 

Interestingly, however, men are said to be twice more likely to develop addiction. Why? Because men tend to be risk takers while women are risk averse. With age groups, he said young adults between the ages of 18 to 24 are at a higher risk of gambling.

While statistics may not be available here in Ghana, in some Western countries, gambling is said to be prevalent. In America for example, it is believed that two per cent of the population (about six million) have gambling addiction. But that notwithstanding, there are strict rules governing gambling.

As learnt from my chat with the Specialist Psychiatrist, betting addiction develops into pathological gambling and at that point, victims are likely to run into debts sometimes of millions of Cedis to satisfy their desire.

Consequences

At that point, those who may sell their properties or borrow, take loans, sell personal belongings and increasingly are not able to meet their household expenses or commitments. Relationships break down and isolation sets in.

What happens next is anybody’s guess. The consequences of panic and anxiety disorders set in. They get distressed, unable to sleep and lack steady relationships which may progress to a state of depression. 

Are there any recovery chances for a pathological gambler? The answer I got is yes if it is spotted early.  With early detection, the sufferer could be helped with medication and other corrective practices and lifestyle changes. 

Worldwide, the recovery rate is said to be 60 per cent. Unfortunately in Ghana, because people are not open to seeking help for mental disorders due to the stigma attached, there is no available data currently. However, now that the issue of gambling addiction is being attended to at psychiatric clinics, it is possible that very soon, some statistics may become available.

In conclusion, Rev. Dr Aidoo, passionate about mental health, advised that when people get into betting and then realise later it is becoming an addiction, they should call it quits and seek help because “going undiagnosed can become another pandemic”.

A word to the wise is enough.

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The writer can be contacted via email at [email protected]

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