Can You Recognize a Gambling Problem?

 

Do you gamble as a way to ignore problems, escape worry or trouble? Maybe you use gambling as a way to avoid dealing with your life or uncomfortable feelings of shame, guilt, anxiety, or depression.

 

Do you ever promise yourself "just one more time, then I will stop gambling" – yet  continue to gamble?

 

Are you hiding the amounts of money and time you spend gambling from your family, loved ones, or significant others?

 

Are you constantly thinking about gambling?  Always planning the next time you can go, or thinking about ways of getting money to use to gamble?

 

Do you become anxious, restless or irritable if you are not able to gamble, or trying to cut down?

 

Has the amount of money you gamble and the amount of time you spend gambling increased, trying to get the same feelings of excitement and enjoyment you used to get?

  

Do you ever try to win back the money you lost by gambling more often and increasing the size of your bets?

 

Have you or a loved one borrowed from family or friends, taken out Payday loans, mortgaged your home and/or filed for bankruptcy to pay off gambling debts?

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Have you or a loved one lost time from work or school due to gambling?

 

Have you or a loved one ever committed fraud or theft to get money to gamble with?  This includes taking money from family members, friends, or anyone else to have money to gamble, writing bad checks, and stealing money from your employer.

 

Have you or a loved one destroyed relationships with family and friends as a result of gambling?  

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Adolescent Warning Signs may be different than those experienced by adults.

Is your child exhibiting any of the following?

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• Unexplained need for money  / charges on credit card bills

• Unexplained absence from classes, school or work

• Has large amounts of cash that cannot be explained.

• Has a great deal of debt that cannot be explained.

• Sudden change in personality or behavior

• Withdraws from his or her regular social groups and activities.

• Makes "900" number calls to gambling numbers.

• Bragging about winning at gambling

• Excessive watching of TV sports 

• Unusual interest in sports teams / scores with no previous allegiance

• Undue upset at the outcome of a sports match

• Unexplained money or possessions missing from the home

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If you’re concerned that gambling is affecting you or someone you know, get FREE help HERE.

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