Signs of Gambling Addiction

Problem gambling is a condition in which a person becomes fixated on the action of betting or playing games. It is a compulsion that leads a person to keep playing and losing until they cannot stop. Ultimately, this situation creates a vicious cycle as the person will have to continually gamble to maintain the same level of high. As a result, the individual will experience social, psychological, and professional ramifications from their gambling.

Problem gambling affects everyone

If your loved one has a problem with gambling, you are not alone. Three to four percent of the population suffers from some form of problem gambling. In addition to affecting the gambler themselves, it can affect seven or more people around them. Problem gambling can affect one’s finances, their physical and mental health, and even their relationships. However, you can get help to cope with problem gambling and help your loved one regain control of their life.

There are many reasons why gambling problems can become so dangerous. For one, a person’s family members can be the victims of petty theft from relatives, while the violence associated with gambling is particularly extreme. Besides causing financial and emotional problems, pathological gambling is also associated with increased risk of violence against significant others. In fact, problem gamblers have a fourfold or greater chance of experiencing dating or marital violence, child abuse, and homicide in their families.

Signs

Signs of gambling addiction include excessive time spent at the casino, larger bets, and an increased debt. Gamblers often borrow money from friends or family to fund their gambling habit. They may also lie about their activities to avoid being discovered. Even their behavior is erratic. It is important to recognize the warning signs of gambling addiction and seek help immediately. Here are some of the most common symptoms of gambling addiction. Listed below are some signs of gambling addiction.

Abnormal behavior: Gamblers who have a gambling problem will usually lie about their habits, including the time they spend gambling. They will also spend a lot of time away from home, making more phone calls than usual. Other warning signs of gambling addiction include personality changes and long absences from home. Depending on the age of the gambler, there may be additional warning signs, such as irregular work schedules and lack of interest in social situations.

Symptoms

While the DSM-IV does not include a gambling syndrome specific diagnosis, it does have some criteria that resemble substance abuse. Symptoms include preoccupation with gambling, increased frequency, increasing amount wagered, and difficulties in stopping, and reliance on others for financial support. In addition to gambling symptoms, the DSM-IV also specifies symptoms that may indicate a manic episode. This disorder can be treated by both traditional treatments and therapy.

Among those suffering from this disorder, 1.6 percent to 3.9 percent may be pathological gamblers. The total percentage of disordered gamblers in the general population is much lower. However, symptoms can begin as early as adolescence. Some individuals are dependent on other people for financial support and may even resort to stealing. These signs may indicate a potential gambling disorder and should prompt immediate attention. However, a diagnosis of gambling addiction is difficult, and treatment must be sought as soon as possible.

Treatment

If you or someone you love is struggling with a gambling addiction, you need to get help as soon as possible. Oftentimes, a gambling problem will cost a person his or her job or education opportunities. Other times, people may even have committed crimes to fund their habit. If you feel that you’ve lost everything, you should get help now. If you’ve found that you’ve lost everything because of gambling, you need help as soon as possible.

Inpatient rehab is a common choice for severe gambling addiction. This type of rehab provides the intensive daily sessions and constant supervision necessary for recovery. While there is no guarantee that the treatment will work, it can set you on the right path to recovery. Although an inpatient stay doesn’t cure a gambling addiction, it can interrupt the compulsion and help you get a new way of living. Depending on the severity of your gambling problem, you may need to stay in an inpatient rehab facility for a few weeks or longer.