Gambling Addiction #2

Symptoms

Here are several of the signs to look out for when determining if you or someone else is developing a problem:

• Increasing the frequency and the amount of money gambled
• Spending an excessive amount of time gambling at the expense of job or family time
• Being preoccupied with gambling or with obtaining money with which to gamble
• Gambling creates a special and intense pleasure, an aroused sense of being "in action"
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences such as large losses, or work or family problems caused by gambling
• Borrowing money to gamble, taking out secret loans, or maximizing credit card
• Bragging about wins but not talking about losses
• Recurrent mood swings, higher when winning, lower when losing
• Gambling for longer periods of time or more money than originally planned
• Secretive behavior such as hiding betting slips or receipts; having mail, bills, etc., sent to work, a P.O. box or other address
  

Gambling is a familiar behavior that is not considered a disorder until the symptoms listed above are displayed. Similarities between Pathological Gambling and the development of substance dependence are evident. Initially, many gamblers report feeling "high" and success leads to increased gambling which in turn might result in an overly large amount that exceeds the gambler's resources. Naturally, this then leads as well to overconfidence and risk-taking behavior that otherwise wouldn't occur normally.

Early detection is essential. If the problem is allowed to go on, personal relationships may finally begin to suffer and financial and legal difficulties may begin to surface.