A gambling addiction is a progressive disorder that is characterized by an increasing preoccupation with gambling.
An addict will typically feel the need to bet more and more frequently, they will experience restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop and they will more than likely chase losses. An addict will also find that they cannot control their desire to gamble despite the serious and negative consequences that are mounting.
The Internet has made gambling far more accessible and thus harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos are open all day, every day and what’s even more damaging is the fact that people can access them from the privacy of their own homes.
This makes an addiction much easier to hide because you’re anonymous when gambling from a computer. On the other hand, if you’re physically going into a venue, the staff might start to recognize that you have a problem and family members might wonder why you’re never home.
Gambling addiction signs include:
- You need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the level of excitement that you’re used to
- You exhibit restless or irritable behaviour when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- You’re often preoccupied with thoughts about gambling
- You frequently gamble when feeling low or stressed
- You chase losses in order to try and break even
- You lie to conceal the extent of your gambling behaviours
- You carry on gambling despite the fact that your relationships and job are suffering because of it
- You rely on other people to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations which have been caused by gambling
- Compulsive gamblers will continue gambling regardless of what the consequences are – even when they know the odds are against them or they can’t afford to lose
- People with gambling addictions often have other behaviour or mood disorders. Many abuse substances, have ADD/ADHD and/or depression
- You’re secretive about the fact that you gamble or how often you do it
- You can’t walk away once you start gambling
- Friends and family are worried about you and gambling
Separating fact from fiction when it comes to problem gambling
There are a lot of myths about gambling addiction signs and they can often prevent people from coming forward and getting help.
You only have a gambling addiction if you’re gambling every day. How often addicts gamble can vary hugely – some do it every day, some once a week, some once a month and some even less frequently than that. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems. For example, you may not be gambling every day but when you do, you can’t walk away and you lose all your money.
As long as I can continue to afford it, it’s not a problem. Just because you haven’t emptied your bank account, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have a problem. Just like some alcoholics can continue going to work and fulfilling their commitments, many gambling addicts still mange to pay their bills. It’s important to remember that problems caused by gambling are not limited to just financial issues. It can also cause relationship and mental health problems including depression and anxiety.
You can’t get addicted to gambling. Certain activities such as gambling can in fact be just as addictive as alcohol and drugs. Gambling can produce a euphoria that encourages the gambler to keep repeating the behaviour in order to achieve the desired effect. As with drugs and alcohol, the gambler develops a tolerance for gambling and will take bigger risks to achieve that euphoria.
If you think that you or someone you know could benefit from gambling addiction treatment, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help.
