GLOSSARY

Abstinence
The theory that a pathological gambler in recovery must completely abstain from all gambling, it is the goal of Gamblers Anonymous and most, though not all, treatment professionals

Bailout
Money given to a gambler that allows them to pay debts without suffering adverse consequences

Celebrate Recovery
A Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind

Chasing
Chasing losses happens when you keep gambling to win back money you've already lost

Comorbidity
The simultaneous presence of multiple diseases or conditions

Counselor-led support group
A weekly group for problem gamblers that is led by local gambling counselors

DSM
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - a comprehensive classification of officially recognized psychiatric disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, for use by mental health professionals to ensure uniformity of diagnosis

Epidemiology
The study of the occurrence of a disease in a population

Etiology
The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition 

Fantasy Sports Betting
A type of gambling where participants assemble imaginary or virtual teams of real players of a professional sport. These teams compete based on the statistical performance of the real players in actual games

GA
Gamblers Anonymous - a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem

GA 20 questions
A list of 20 questions devised by Gamblers Anonymous to help individuals decide if they have a gambling problem. According to GA, most people with gambling problems will answer "yes" to at least seven of the 20 questions. The questions have not been scientifically validated.

Gam-Anon
A 12-step group for loved ones of compulsive gamblers

Gambling
Games of chance, where the outcome is random

Gaming
The action or practice of playing gambling games

Harm reduction
A set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with substance abuse or behavioral problems

Incidence
The occurrence, rate, or frequency of a disease or something else undesirable

Loot Box
In video games, an in-game purchase that awards players with items and/or modifications based on chance

Neurotransmitter
A messenger of neurologic information from one cell to another

Pathological gambling
Gambling activity where someone is unable to resist his or her impulses to gamble

Prevalent
Widespread in a particular area at a particular time

Problem Gambling
Gambling activity that causes difficulty for the individual but does not meet the standards for pathological gambling. Sometimes referred to as "at-risk" gambling.

Recreational/social gambler (not sure about this one-if needs inc)
Gamblers who exhibit few or none of the difficulties associated with problem or pathological gambling. Social gamblers will gamble for entertainment, typically will not risk more than they can afford, often gamble with friends, chase losses briefly, gamble for limited periods of time, and are not preoccupied with gambling. Synonymous with recreational gambling.

Responsible Gambling
Gambling that involves applying the principles that make it a safe, entertaining experience

ReTreatment Weekend
A FREE weekend treatment event for problem gamblers and their loved ones, with sessions led by talented counselors who have helped hundreds of gamblers

Serotonin
A neurotransmitter within the central nervous system widely studied in affective disorders and substance abuse

Significant life event
A major event that changes a person's status or circumstances, such as giving birth, marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, loss of a job, etc.

Slots
A gaming machine that generates random combinations of symbols on a dial, with certain combinations winning varying amounts of money for the player

SOGS
The South Oaks Gambling Screen - an instrument for the identification of problem gamblers

Twelve-step program
A program for treating an addiction, based on the 12 steps first espoused by Alcoholics Anonymous

VLTs
Video Lottery Terminals - similar to a slot machine, each terminal is connected to a centralized computer system that allows the lottery jurisdiction to monitor game play and collect its share of revenue