Symptoms of gambling addiction
Unlike alcohol or other drug abuse where individuals
under the influence may appear intoxicated or "high",
problem gamblers usually do not exhibit easily
recognizable signs. However, there are signs that may
indicate someone is experiencing a gambling problem.
These are often signs of problem
gambling:
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The individual gambles more than they intended. |
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Other individuals are suggesting that the person might have a gambling problem. |
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The individual is feeling guilty about the way he or she gambles. |
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The individual wants to stop betting money and feels like they can’t. |
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The individual gambling is hiding betting slips, lottery tickets, gambling money or other signs of betting. |
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There are arguments over how the individual gambling is handling money. |
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The individual gambling is borrowing money and not repaying it. |
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The individual gambling is losing time from work or school due to betting money or gambling. |
Signs of problem gambling may also
include:
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Obsession with gambling (reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next venture or thinking of ways in which to gamble). |
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Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to attain the desired excitement. |
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Trying to control, cut down or stop gambling ineffectively. |
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Feeling edgy or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling. |
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Using gambling as a way to evade problems or bad moods (helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression). |
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Returning to gamble after losing money gambling. |
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Lying to conceal the extent of attachment with gambling. |
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Committing illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement to fund gambling. |
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Jeopardizing or losing an important relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of gambling. |
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Relying on others to get out of debt. |
May I be concerned with Gambling Addiction ?
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease. There are
numerous stories of devastating financial, emotional,
and mental effects not only upon the gambler, but also
on his or her loved ones. Recognized by the American
Psychiatric Association as a “disorder of impulse
control” in 1980, gambling addiction is a chronic
disease that most people consider to happen in three
phases:
The Winning Phase:
The occurrence of a big win leaves a gambler with
an overwhelming (and unreasonable) optimism that his or
her winning will continue. This leads to increased
excitement and, usually, increased dollar amounts of the
gambler’s bets.
The Losing Phase:
This phase is often branded by the gambler bragging
about wins that he or she never had, beginning to gamble
alone (often times online), thinking about gambling more
often and borrowing money (legally or otherwise) with
which to bet. Deceiving family and friends becomes
routine and the gambler becomes more ill-tempered, edgy,
and withdrawn. An important element of this phase is the
concept of “chasing” a loss, which essentially
means the feeling that a gambler must return to the game
as soon as possible to win back his or her losses.
The Desperation
Phase: During this final, devastating
phase, there is a massive increase in the amount of time
a person spends gambling. As a reaction to the collapse
of his or her life, the gambler experiences remorse, the
blaming of others, and the estrangement of friends and
family. A feeling of hopelessness overcomes the gambler
and is often manifested in suicidal thoughts, arrest,
divorce, substance abuse, or an emotional breakdown.
What Do I Do If I Have a Problem ?
The first thing is to determine if you have a
problem, if you do, contact your local chapter of
Gamblers Anonymous and consider treatment. However, if
you feel you may need help controlling or managing your
gambling habits, Gamblers Anonymous is a resource
available to all persons with complete confidentiality.
Information is the ultimate problem helper.
Warning: if you have
moderate depression or suicidal tendencies please
seek the advice of a doctor/ therapist or dial
9-1-1.
