Gambling Addiction: Stats & Symptoms

As with other addictions, there are warning signs to look out for.

 

These include:

Keeping gambling habits a secret

Having trouble controlling their gambling habit

Continuing to be involved with a gambling habit when they cannot financially afford to do so.

Resorting to illegal activities to pay for their gambling habit

Physical symptoms of excessive gambling include problems sleeping, weight gain or loss, dark circles under the eyes and extreme headaches.

 

How can you tell if someone has a gambling disorder?  The American Psychiatric Association has developed guidelines and says that a person requires at least four of the following issues to take place during the past year:

 

A person feels the need to gamble with an increasing amount of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.

A person becomes angry, restless or irritable when someone tells them to cut back on their gambling, or to stop it altogether.

A person will have unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop gambling on their own.

A person has frequent thoughts about gambling, including reliving past gambling adventures, planning their next gambling outing, and thinking of ways to get money to gamble with.

A person will often gamble when they are feeling distressed.

After a person loses money, they return to try and “get even” (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses)

A person will not hesitate to lie to hide their gambling activity.

A person will jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling.

A person will begin relying on others to help with money problems caused by their gambling habits.