Have you been sacrificing a lot of time, money, and energy for gambling? Are you constantly dreaming of the next big win? If so, these are signs that your gambling may actually be a gambling disorder, which is an addiction.
Signs of a Gambling Disorder
Sign #1: You Have Financial Problems
One of the clearest signs that your gambling has become an addiction is that you are experiencing financial problems due to gambling. Examples include:
Spending most or all of your paycheck on gambling.
Not being able to pay other bills or expenses.
Getting into credit card debt.
Receiving threats that your house or car will be repossessed.
If you were a very successful gambler, you’d have money to burn! In reality, though, it’s the addiction that is driving the gambling and causing your financial difficulties to pile up.
Sign #2: You Spend Too Much Time Gambling
Another sign of a gambling disorder is that you devote a lot of your time to gambling. Thanks to the rise of internet gaming, you no longer have to spend long hours in a casino. Instead, you can spend long hours in front of your computer placing bets or playing games. This leads to skipping classes or work in order to pursue your gambling.
Sign #3: You're Chasing a Dream
According to Gambler’s Anonymous, a sign of gambling addiction is always being in pursuit of a dream. Those with a gambling addiction are always looking for the big win and fulfilling their dreams of success. Sadly, if they do win they aren’t satisfied. On the other hand, if they always lose they will keep pursuing that dream until it’s too late.
Sign #4: You Take Unnecessary Risks
Gambling addicts take many unnecessary risks, including:
“Pushing their luck” until it’s too late and they lose everything.
Not knowing when to walk away.
Pawning important or meaningful possessions in order to have money to gamble.
Feeling the need to lie and steal from others to fuel their habit.
Of course, these risks can be very damaging personally and can potentially land an addict in jail.
Sign #5: You Have Ruined Your Relationships
As with many addictions, ruined relationships are another symptom of a gambling disorder. This can be due to many of the reasons listed above:
You devote so much time to gambling that you ignore friends and family.
Your partner discovers that you are using family funds to gamble.
The stress of late or overdue bills puts pressure on your marriage.
Instead of focusing on your family, friends, and other important people in your life, your attention is focused on gambling. Lying about your gambling or the problems associated with it also damages relationships.
Sign #5: You Don't Take Care of Yourself
Again, as with other addictions, someone with a gambling disorder isn’t able to keep up with the things needed to maintain health. Time spent preparing and eating healthy foods or exercising is time taken away from gambling. Also, the pressure to want to win creates stress and anxiety that also have a negative impact on your health.
How to Treat a Gambling Disorder
If you think that some of the signs mentioned in this post apply to you, please consider getting help. A therapist who is trained in gambling addiction treatment can help you understand why you gamble and help you learn how to live your life without the need to gamble. Finding help through a peer support group can allow you to have a community of people who understand the desire for gambling and can help you stay sober.
A gambling disorder is a real problem that can have devastating effects on your life. However, with support from a therapist and others who understand, you can recover from this addiction and take back your life.
Click to learn more about gambling addiction treatment and counseling with Naomi Casement, LMSW.
