On problem gambling and dissociating: just in the bit of google research I did, on those two terms, I could see that there is lots of info out there on this.

From what I experienced myself of compulsive behavior, I definitely disassociated, lost track of time, spaced out. Though not to the extent of your friend.

And I definitely was self medicating in a sense too. Spacing out through compulsive behavior, in my case it was online gaming and chat, was a way for me to escape the reality of mental and physical health challenges.

I did not know I was self medicating at the time, nor did I know for quite awhile that my behavior was compulsive and badly affecting me.

Good luck, you might even want to get some books on problem gambling yourself to read, to help you out as a friend, will give you more info on what to watch for in her, and also on how to take good care of yourself.

Sarah

This site looks good: http://www.femalegamblers.org/