Main features of pathological gamblers include emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control and interference with normal activities. There are currently 5 weekly meetings in Greater New Orleans. 5 Gamblers Anonymous Chapters operate on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, up from 1 year ago. 24 Casino Boats currently are operational in Louisiana and Mississippi. Mississippi already has more gambling square footage then Atlantic City, and is projected to surpass Las Vegas soon at the current rate of expansion.
Gamblers have the highest attempted suicide rate of all addictive disorders.
In one study, gambler's spouses were found to be 4 times more likely to attempt suicide that the general population. In 1972, Dr. Robert L. Custer started the world's first inpatient treatment program for compulsive gamblers at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Brechsville, Ohio.