As if the economic downturn hasn’t given us enough to worry about, now experts are expecting a dramatic rise in problem gambling! Bill Eadington, the director of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming, says that six out of 100 adults are at high risk for gambling problems. However, when times get tough, more people tend to gamble, and veteran gamblers tend to bet more. In fact, people who are desperate because of record layoffs, home foreclosures, and failing investments may turn to gambling as a last resort to rescue them from financial ruin – which almost never happens. Also, according to MSNBC Health, we’re in the midst of peak gambling season right now, which runs from the Super Bowl through March Madness, the month-long college basketball tournament. Last year alone, March Madness bets exceeded $238 million – and that didn’t include informal office pools. So, how can you tell if you have a gambling problem? Ask yourself these questions, courtesy of Gamblers Anonymous:
- Have you ever lost time from work or school because of gambling?
- Has gambling damaged your reputation?
- Have you ever felt guilty afterwards because of the money you lost?
- Have you ever gambled to get money to pay your debts or solve a financial problem?
- After losing, did you feel you had to return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
- Have you ever borrowed money, sold anything or stolen anything to finance your gambling?
- Do you ever have an urge to gamble when you’re worried, bored, lonely, angry, frustrated, or disappointed?
Gambling addiction might not have immediate health ramifications like drinking alcohol or snorting cocaine, but that doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous. There are many problems that can arise from gambling addiction. If you or someone you know has a gambling addiction, call Prominence Treatment Center today for immediate assistance. A Gambling Problem: Recognizing the Signs. A gambling problem is defined as behavior that disrupts life, even if it’s not out of control. The reasons for excessive gambling vary, but many people use it to alleviate stress or feelings of incompetency. The following signs may indicate your spouse has a gambling problem. Then you How To Know You Have A Gambling Problem have the opportunity to play free casino slot machines entertainment to several hundred free spins. You also have the opportunity to participate in various casino bonuses, these usually require a deposit, for example: You make a deposit and receive a bonus of 100% up to 2000 €. Gambling addicts will continue wagering money until they have nothing left, are in serious debt, and/or begin to engage in criminal activity to finance the problem. Compulsive gamblers have no sense of when to stop and will continue to gamble their money, and other people’s money, until someone forces them to stand down. It isn't difficult to determine if a person has a gambling problem. The signs of a gambling addiction or gambling problem are likely apparent to significant others surrounding the person with a gambling addiction. But to the gambling addict who's enmeshed in the world of betting, it's often difficult to see things clearly.
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may need help. Check out the Gamblers Anonymous website to find a meeting near you.
One of the most immensely difficult aspects of a subject as complex as addiction is realizing that you have a problem, even if friends and family may have tried to alert you to it. Denial is a big part of it and a major obstacle that has to be negotiated in the first instance. If you believe you may have a gambling addiction then it is vital to seek help for it for your own good and also for the other people in your life that may be affected by it. These are some of the signs that could indicate that you have a problem when it comes to gambling.
Trying to win back money
The ways for someone to start gambling can vary significantly between each person. It could be that you got into it as a social thing while you were with friends for example but when addiction takes to hold the circumstances change. At first, your motivations may well be centered upon a reasonably casual desire to win some money that you would find very welcome. However, if you are still gambling after you have lost a significant amount of money then the reasons why you are doing it have altered. Gambling in an attempt to recoup losses that you have made is potentially a sign of addiction so pay close attention to any indication of this.
Seeing less of loved ones
The time that you would usually get to spend with family and friends is drastically compromised when you are addicted to something so it could be that you are going through this. If you are putting off seeing those who should be closest to you in favor of visiting the bookmakers or placing a bet by any other means then consider seeking guidance from somebody.
Covering up
Due to the problems and connotations that are attached to addiction, the natural response from sufferers is to mask over any problems and to hide them from those in their life. An addiction to gambling has severe financial implications and the knock-on effects from this are hard to ignore, especially if you are in a relationship or have children. If you regularly have to lie about things to protect yourself from admitting you have a problem then this is a sure sign.
How To Determine If You Have A Gambling Problem
There are indeed so many more possible signs that could point to a gambling addiction including borrowing money, putting on larger and larger bets, and constantly thinking about your next bet, to give merely three examples.