Gambling is a leisure that can be a lot of fun – there is always a rush that comes with being able to make money. Like other pleasures in life, gambling can be addictive and it is important to be able to recognize the signs in yourself and others that may show the beginning signs of a gambling problem. Gambling addiction is a disease not unlike alcoholism – there is no “cure”, but a step-by-step counseling program can go a long way to supporting a person who is addicted to gambling.
Signs and symptoms to watch out for
Uncontrollable gambling can have a disastrous effect on a person’s life – shunning of family members, negligent behavior toward one’s job, and if left unchecked can lead to financial ruin. If detected early enough steps can be taken to dramatically reduce the chances and magnitude of the destructive impact gambling addiction can have on a person’s life. Some symptoms you need to be aware of are:
- Gambling more than you can afford to – If you don’t have extra money lying around you shouldn’t be gambling with it. Gambling is not a sure thing, and trying to make money with your rent or food budget will only lead to you being worse off.
- Being secretive about your gambling habit – Lying to family and friends about the frequency of your gambling sessions or playing when family is asleep to avoid letting people know that you are gambling.
- Irrational attitude towards gambling – Believing that you can beat the house or that you can keep on gambling to bring yourself out of your losses.
- Gambling takes a high priority – You find yourself fantasizing and wishing you were gambling more often than you normal. You would rather be gambling then spend time with family and friends.
- Unable to set limits when gambling – You end up playing with more money than you budget yourself at the beginning of your gambling session. Inability to walk away from a table when you are ahead; you feel compelled to spend every last cent.
If you feel that you have a gambling problem then the first step is being able to admit it to yourself. Even saying out loud “I have a gambling problem” is a great first step to shed your denial and to start getting help. Getting help does mean you are weak – it only means you are strong enough, smart enough, and responsible enough to realize that you have a problem that needs to be addressed.
Rest assured you are not alone with this problem. There are many organizations that exist to support gambling addicts and their family members through this crisis:
- Gamblers Anonymous – A free, international support group that has a twelve-step program and group meetings to assist compulsive gamblers.
- http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/
- USA Hotline – 888-GA-HELPS (888-424-3577)
- E-mail – isomain@gamblersanonymous.org
- National Counsel on Public Gambling (NCPG) – Another nationwide organization designed to help compulsive gamblers.
- http://www.ncpgambling.org
- USA Hotline – 1800-522-4700
- E-mail – ncpg@ncpgambling.org
If you or someone close to you shows signs of a gambling addiction it is your responsibility to take action while you still can, before the situation degenerates to a critical point. A person with a gambling addiction hurts everyone around them, including themselves, which is why it is so important to stop the downward spiral before things get out of hand.
