Signs Of Someone With Gambling Problem

Gambling finds its way into our everyday lives. Offices may hold betting pools on the big football game. Grocery stores place scratch-off tickets beneath clear plastic in the checkout line. Billboards along the freeway tout the latest state lottery jackpot. The Internet is at our fingertips and comes with many legal and illegal ways to gamble.

For many people, gambling opportunities are games that can be easily ignored or quit at any time. For may others, gambling becomes much more. It becomes a problem that disrupts finances, health and happiness. So how do you know when it’s just fun or when it’s something more? What are the signs and symptoms of a gambling problem?

Problem gambling has a broad severity spectrum and its cause appears to be related to several factors. Below are some of the more common signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling: Gambling to calm nerves, forget worries, or reduce depression Losing interest in other things. Obsession – Unable to Stop Gambling. It appears that your loved one is constantly talking about.

Defining Problem Gambling

Problem gambling is just that — a problem. The National Council on Problem Gambling shares that 1% of the population has a gambling addiction while another 2-3%, “do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling, but meet one of more of the criteria and are experiencing problems due to their gambling behavior.”¹

People who gamble may find it fun at first, but it can quickly become something more. They may find they do any or all of the following:

Try and fail to stop gambling
Miss work and school in order to spend more time gambling
Use larger and larger amounts of money in order to feel the rush associated with winning
Gamble more after losing a large amount of money, also known as “chasing the losses”
Use gambling to deal with stress, sadness or depression
Borrow or steal in order to gamble
Lie about gambling
Neglect relationships in order to gamble

Over time gambling can become less and less fun. It can begin to create conflict and consequences in all areas of your life. You may only feel good or “normal” when gambling. You may gamble to relieve stress or anxiety only to find that gambling causes as much stress, depression and guilt as it hides.

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry reports that people who gamble have a lower quality of life. People who have depression or bipolar disorder are more likely to gamble.²

Gambling, in turn, deepens depression and lowers your ability to manage your mental health.

Combating Misconceptions About Gambling Problems

Gambling addiction is often misunderstood. While some misconceptions may be benign, others cause people to ignore or avoid symptoms of addiction they see in the ones they love. Stigma can undermine the urgency of addiction treatment for problem gambling.

One common misconception is that people can only become addicted to a substance. The truth is that it’s quite easy to become addicted to gambling. When a person gambles, the body releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This causes the person to feel alert, happy and powerful. This is the same neurotransmitter the body releases in response to certain drugs. In both cases the person can become hooked on this rush of dopamine. While dopamine isn’t the only cause of addiction, it certainly fuels it. On a biochemical level, gambling addiction functions just like drug or alcohol addiction.

Another misconception is that casinos and state lottery games cause addiction. Some individuals believe that outlawing gambling would miraculously cure addiction. However just like bars don’t cause alcoholism, casinos don’t cause gambling addiction. The problem is multidimensional and much more complex than just “availability.”
People also commonly believe that a person addicted to gambling must gamble every day. People who gamble intermittently, or people who gamble without losing money they can’t afford, aren’t considered addicted in this model. It’s important to remember that addiction is defined by the severity of the problem, not the frequency. People who are compelled to gamble, who are driven to the activity to the exclusion of other activities, have a gambling problem. It doesn’t matter if they gamble once a week, twice a week or only on payday. The drive to gamble and inability to stop despite consequences, no matter how big or small, is what defines the addiction.

Stigma and assumptions about who gets addicted may be some of the most harmful misconceptions. Some believe that those who have gambling addictions are simply too weak and lazy to resist the temptation.

Once again, this isn’t true. Harvard’s Cambridge Health Alliance explains that addiction stems from chemical changes in the brain.³

It also has social, biological and environmental contributors. It is a mental health issue, not a matter of willpower or choice. Making assumptions about a person with addiction is never helpful, and it’s certainly never accurate.

More Signs and Symptoms of a Gambling Problem

Unfortunately many don’t notice a gambling problem until the negative effects of gambling begin to accumulate.

People who gamble compulsively may begin to harm the health and happiness of their home. Some signs of a gambling problem within the family include the following:

Neglecting to feed, cloth or take care of children
Maxing out credit accounts
Missing payments on bills, utilities, rent or mortgages
Avoiding spending time with the family
Arguing about money and gambling

At the same time gambling begins to disrupt home life, it can begin to have consequences at work. Coworkers are often some of the first to notice a gambling addiction because people who gamble compulsively may choose to engage in it at work away from the eyes and ears of their family members.

People who work with gamblers may notice that the person does the following:

Is often absent for long periods of time
Accepts many personal calls
Seems distracted
Rarely takes vacations and asks for money in lieu of vacation pay
Asks for advances
Argues with other coworkers about loans
Steals or commits fraud against the company
Complains about debt
Vacillates between extreme happiness and extreme sadness
Is eager to participate in office gambling activities such as March Madness pools

Gambling also affects individuals on a personal level. You may develop co-occurring addictions to drugs, alcohol or other behaviors. You’re probably aware that your gambling isn’t healthy or sustainable, but you can’t stop or maybe aren’t even sure that you want to. Your mental health, physical health and social life suffer because of your gambling. So if you, a coworker or a family member recognizes a gambling problem, what’s the next step?

What Families Can Do to Help Treat a Gambling Problem

Living with someone who has a gambling problem isn’t easy. You love the person, but you do not love his or her addiction. You may struggle to determine what to say or do to help. You may wonder if you can help. Learning all you can about mental health and addiction is a good first step.
The more you know about gambling, the more you know your loved one’s addiction isn’t your fault. The more you know it isn’t his or her fault either, the less anger you might direct toward the addict. Once you recognize the signs and symptoms of a gambling problem and recognize it as the serious, but treatable, mental health issue it is, you can turn your focus toward help your loved one heal.

Intervening in a Loved One’s Gambling Problem

A good next step is an intervention. An intervention isn’t a dramatic, angry event. It may be a series of conversations between yourself and the addicted individual. It may be a loving gathering of close friends and family. Talk with a professional interventionist to determine the best approach for your unique situation. Interventionists help you reach through to your loved one and show him or her why seeking that gambling high is creating hurt and harm. The interventionist will help you determine what to say and how to say it so that you have a safe, calm, loving and effective conversation. Talk with a doctor, mental healthcare provider or the professionals here at The Oaks to find a trusted, certified interventionist.

No matter how you start the conversation about a gambling problem, just make sure you start it. Reach out to loved ones. Or if you’re worried about your own gambling, reach out to The Oaks. We’ll help you find the personalized, integrated gambling addiction treatment that will work for you.

By Alanna Hilbink

Sources:
¹“FAQ.” National Council on Problem Gambling. Accessed 13 Nov. 2018.
²Kennedy, Sidney, et al. “Frequency and Correlates of Gambling Problems in Outpatients with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Sep. 2010.
³“Biology, Addiction, and Gambling: Dopamine’s Many Roles.” Cambridge Health Alliance. 17 Sep. 2003.

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Signs of Problem Gambling

Those individuals who are at risk to develop a problem with gambling or other substances or behaviors can potentially affect their families, friends, and loved ones. Like other addictions, the compulsion to gamble can seize the gambler’s life, causing devastating emotional and financial results. Often, the family is also emotionally injured and financially damaged by a gambling addiction. The tribal casinos that make up the Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico voluntarily put their efforts into this combined campaign, for anyone who may develop an addiction to gambling.

What Is Problem Gambling?

“Problem gambling” implies that there are problems related to gambling, such as too much time spent gambling or too much money spent on the activity.

Some problem gamblers get over their problem in time.

Some problem gamblers go on to develop the addiction – “compulsive gambling.”

Compulsive or “pathological” gambling means an addictive disorder with gambling exists and that the individual cannot stop gambling.

Untreated, compulsive gambling usually gets worse over time.

Someone who is a problem gambler may have other addictive behaviors such as drinking, drugs or smoking.

The Hidden Addiction

Most Americans are social gamblers who can enjoy the fun of gambling without harmful effects. As an association, we promote “knowing when to stop” so that gambling is considered an entertainment option.

Compulsive gambling is not just a “bad habit.” It is an emotional illness recognized by the American Psychiatric Association. Just as some people can become addicted to alcohol or drugs, compulsive gamblers become obsessed with an uncontrollable urge to gamble.

“Action” is what compulsive gambling is all about. Being in ACTION (gambling) is like taking a tranquilizer or stimulant to put the gambler in a desired mood. The effect, however, wears off when the gambler must face the reality of lost money and time.

As the disorder progressively increases, the compulsive gambler finds he/she must seek relief through even more gambling. The result is a progressive financial and emotional deterioration which can sometimes destroy both the gambler and his or her family.

Numerous prevalence surveys indicate that compulsive gambling affects one to three percent of those adults who gamble. Compulsive gambling can affect men and women of any age, race or religion, regardless of their financial or social status.

Keep gambling what it should be, entertainment. Know how to set your limits, and most importantly, know when to stop. If you feel you have a problem with gambling, or know someone who does, call (888) 696-2440 for free, confidential gambling addiction help.

Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive gambling is a term that indicates that the person’s gambling is compromising or damaging their personal, family, or vocational pursuits. Problem gambling has a broad severity spectrum and its cause appears to be related to several factors.

Below are some of the more common signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling:

Gambling to calm nerves, forget worries, or reduce depression
Losing interest in other things
Talking about, thinking about, or planning to gamble and not doing other activities
Lying about gambling habits
Gambling alone or gambling more often
Getting into arguments about gambling
Going without basic needs in order to gamble
Needing to gamble more and more money in order to get the desired effect
Experiencing health problems related to gambling like lethargy, headaches, anxiety, and depression
Having financial problems caused by gambling

1. Do you ever lie about gambling?
2. Have you ever borrowed money to finance your gambling?

If you answered yes to either question, learn about the signs of problem gambling and our free resources.

Signs Of Gambling Problem

“The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico gave me serenity, peace, freedom, joy…gave me life basically. That’s what I have today. I can live free. I’m free.”

~ Geri Drennan

Remember to follow these tips in order to be safe when gambling:

Signs Someone Has Gambling Problem

Gambling is paid entertainment that you are paying for, so treat the money you lose as the cost of your entertainment
Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money
Set a money limit
Set a time limit & take regular breaks
Only bring the cash you are willing to lose and leave ATM and credit cards at home
Don’t leave credit cards or ATM cards in the car
Expect to lose
Don’t gamble when you are depressed or upset
Balance gambling with other activities
Gambling and alcohol are proven to not be a good combination
Don’t chase losses
Avoid becoming too superstitious
Never fall for the gambler’s fallacy
Learn the rules and odds of the games
Educate yourself about problem gambling
Don’t play with money you don’t have
Don’t use your credit card to gamble
Don’t increase your betting to make up for money you lost
Don’t use gambling as a way to cope with stress, loneliness, or depression
Never gamble with important money such as rent money
If you are thinking about gambling all day long, get help
If you are lying to others about your gambling, get help
Never borrow money from others just to gamble
Do not gamble to escape your problems or to ignore your responsibilities
Gambling to pay off a gambling debt does not work
It’s a sign of a problem if you are quitting your job or favorite hobbies to gamble

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10 Signs Of Gambling Addiction

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