Many people will gamble at least once in their lifetime, which is a normal experience. Gambling can a fun way of spending an evening; win a few bucks here, lose a few bucks there. If you are lucky enough, then you may even win a large sum of money. Although there some people who gamble carelessly just for fun, there are other people who may start forming an unhealthy habit of gambling that may lead to a disturbing gambling addiction. If you suspect that someone you know is suffering from a gambling addiction, look for the following signs:
A Constant Fixation On Any Form Of Gambling
The first and foremost way to recognize a gambling addiction is if someone is fixated constantly on any form of gambling; whether it’s football, poker, horse races or any other activities that present a chance to gamble. If you suspect that someone is suffering from an addiction in gambling, then he or she will always be constantly thinking about it or even talking about it. He/she will always want to gamble and even plan big things before they happen. Addiction specialists refer to this fixation as being “preoccupation.”
Trying to win back lost money
If someone is always trying to win back lost money, he or she may be faced with a gambling addiction. This habit may cause huge financial problems because, in the attempt to win back the money, he/she may end up losing twice, thrice or even four times of what he or she lost in the first attempt. If you know a person who is always in pursuit of lost money, he or she may be doing very bad financially and may even try borrowing money from you; Don’t give it to them. Instead, look for ways help him or her to get over the addiction.
Unsuccessful Attempts To Stop Gambling
Someone who gambles a lot may usually attempt to stop gambling on a number of occasions. However, if you know a friend or a family member who has tried to stop gambling on more than one occasion but ended up right back to it, then most likely that person has a gambling addiction. Gambling addicts may usually show the same behavior as narcotic addicts when they try stopping; behaviors such as anger, irritability, and even insomnia.
Lying About How Much Money They Have Spent On Gambling
This is probably one of the easiest ways to spot a gambling addiction. A gambling addict will usually lie when asked how much money he/she has spent, won or lost so that their actual losses don’t show and they can gamble freely with less guilt. However, some gamblers feel guilty with every lie told which may cause them to gamble more to deal with that emotional guilt.
Other signs of gambling addiction are:
- Sell family or personal things to finance gambling and its debts.
- Gambling until the last coin in your pockets.
- Spends a lot of time on gambling.
- Engage in illegal activities to finance gambling.
- Gambling longer than as usual.
- Frequently gambles alone.
- Brags about big winnings and hides losses.
- Risks with school or work relationships because of gambling.
- Is less efficient at work.
- Neglects personal and family needs for benefit of gambling.
A gambling addiction may always prove to be unhealthy in a person’s life. That is why it’s crucial to step in and intervene before the addiction gets worse on a friend, family, or loved one.
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