Many clinicians and experts who treat pathological gamblers now say a fourth phase exists for both action and escape gamblers. Once the gambler has been through the desperation phase, it would seem that everything bad had occurred. They believe nothing can help, they don't care if they live or die, in fact for many the latter is the preference. They will all consider suicide during this phase. Most will commit actions which could place them in jail or prison.
Clinical depression is a given.
In their minds, no one cares, no hope is available. The hopeless phase is the time when the pathological gambler either gets help or ends with suicide or prison. No statistics are available in Arizona with regard to professional treatment by a certified professional for longer than three years due to a lack of available professional treatment by any Arizona Certified Compulsive Gambler Counselors prior to 1995.