Westphal J R, Johnson L J, Stodghill S, Stevens L
Department of Psychiatry, Louisiana State University Medical Center-Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
South Med J. 2000 Sep;93(9):850-8.
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.
美国南部已经历了三轮赌博合法化的历史周期。目前，南部各州均已将某种形式的博彩合法化。南部各州成年人过去一年中问题赌博的流行率处于全国范围之内。有赌场和多种形式合法赌博的州，问题赌博的流行率更高。有彩票的州，青少年问题赌博的流行率更高。问题赌博可在赌徒及其家庭中引发应激性身体疾病和精神症状。医生可通过提高认识、进行策略性筛查和早期干预，降低问题赌博的个人、家庭和社会成本。治疗方法包括住院治疗中心、自助互助团体，以及基于认知行为和成瘾的心理疗法。虽然目前尚无针对赌博障碍的标准药物治疗方法，但选择性5-羟色胺再摄取抑制剂的使用正在研究之中。在设有针对问题赌徒的州资助治疗项目和/或问题赌博州委员会的州，可为医生提供转诊资源。
