What Is Gambling Addiction And What Are Its Signs


Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.

Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Your gambling goes from a fun, harmless diversion to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.

Are you concerned that someone you know has a gambling problem, but not sure what type of things to look for? Knowing the warning signs can help you decide what action to take.

It is common to notice changes in the person's finances, mood and behaviour or how they spend their time. 

Financial signs


Some common financial warning signs that someone may have a problem with gambling include:
  • Money missing from bank accounts, wallet/purse or money jar
  • Household items and valuables missing
  • Regularly short of money even though they earn a wage
  • Borrowing money on a regular basis
  • Having many loans at the one time
  • Being secretive about financial records or payslips
  • Unpaid bills/disconnection notices
  • Lack of food in the house.

Mood and behavioural signs


When someone develops a gambling problem, there are often noticeable changes to their mood and behaviour, including:
  • Becoming withdrawn from others/family events
  • Performance at work is being affected
  • Seeming worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason
  • Reporting feeling hopeless, depressed, frustrated or suicidal
  • Changes in personality - sleeping, eating, or sexual relationship patterns
  • Controlling and/or manipulative behaviour
  • Using threats, lies or charm to manipulate others.

Time related signs


Some common time-related signs that could indicate someone has a problem with gambling include:
  • Spending more and more time gambling
  • Being secretive about unexplained absences
  • Often being late for commitments
  • Taking a lot of sick days or days off
  • Taking an unusual amount of time for simple tasks (e.g. taking two hours to get the paper from the shops).

Remember gambling behaviour is often hidden

It can be difficult to know if someone has a problem with gambling. Initially we may not want to believe that someone we know or love has a problem with gambling. 

It can also be difficult to detect a gambling problem, because many people who gamble do not show their feelings and may lie or get angry if questioned about their behaviour. 

People sometimes say they feel that they should have noticed sooner, but remember the person gambling may have gone to great lengths to hide it from you. 

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