{"id":1739,"date":"2010-07-27T00:08:58","date_gmt":"2010-07-27T00:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/?page_id=1739"},"modified":"2014-10-07T17:55:21","modified_gmt":"2014-10-07T17:55:21","slug":"gambling-addiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.freedomfrommedom.com\/wp3\/gambling-addiction","title":{"rendered":"Gambling Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Problem gambling can strain your relationships, interfere with responsibilities at home and work, and lead to financial catastrophe. You may even do things you never thought you would, like stealing to get money to gamble or take money meant for your children. You may think you can\u2019t stop, but problem gambling and gambling addiction are treatable. If you\u2019re ready to admit you have a problem and seek help, you can overcome your gambling problem and regain control of your life.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Understanding gambling addiction and problem gambling<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling<\/em>, is a type of impulse-control disorder. Compulsive gamblers can\u2019t control the impulse to gamble, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves or their loved ones. Gambling is all they can think about and all they want to do, no matter the consequences. Compulsive gamblers keep gambling whether they\u2019re up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed. Even when they know the odds are against them, even when they can\u2019t afford to lose, people with a gambling addiction can\u2019t \u201cstay off the bet.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Gamblers can have a problem, however, without being totally out of control. Problem gambling<\/em> is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you\u2019re preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences, you have a gambling problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

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John<\/span><\/h3>\n

John\u2019s wife has just served him divorce papers. \u201cI don\u2019t know how she can be so selfish\u201d, he says. \u201cSure I spend a lot of time at the casino, but I am doing it for our family. She doesn\u2019t understand that there are ups and downs in poker. So finances have been a little tight. I just need a little time to get it back. I know how to work the table.\u201d He loves games of skill and action, especially poker, but also can\u2019t stay away from sports betting. \u201cI just get such a rush from a good game. Everyone is pitting their skills against you, and if you bet big you win big\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amy<\/span><\/h3>\n

After her husband and children are fast asleep, Amy spends hours in front of the computer gambling online. \u201cIt\u2019s my time to zone out and escape. Everyone puts so much pressure on me during the day. The time passes so quickly, I look up and hours have gone by.\u201d The family is behind on bills and has been getting threatening calls from collectors on past debts. \u201cI honestly don\u2019t know where the money is going. I really don\u2019t spend that much\u201d. However, her angry husband has found the online gambling losses add up to hundreds of dollars a month. One month it was three thousand dollars.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Myths & Facts about Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

MYTH: You have to gamble everyday to be a problem gambler.<\/strong>
\nFACT: <\/strong>A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Gambling is a problem if it causes problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

MYTH: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
\n<\/strong>FACT: <\/strong>Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. Too much time spent on gambling can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.<\/span><\/p>\n

MYTH: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.
\n<\/strong>FACT:<\/strong> Problem gamblers often rationalize their behavior. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, including what is needed to overcome the problem.<\/span><\/p>\n

MYTH: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, you should help them take care of it.
\n<\/strong>FACT: <\/strong>Quick fix solutions may appear to be the right thing to do. However, bailing the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adapted from:<\/strong> Chris Lobsinger’s Problem Gambling<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Signs and symptoms of problem gambling<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as the “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers typically deny or minimize the problem. They also go to great lengths to hide their gambling. For example, problem gamblers often withdraw from their loved ones, sneak around, and lie about where they\u2019ve been and what they\u2019ve been up to.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I have a gambling problem?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

You may have a gambling problem if you:<\/span><\/p>\n