How do I know if I'm addicted to gambling?

Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the negative impact it has on your life. It involves risking something you value in the hope of gaining something of even greater value, often without regard for the consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling (Gambling Disorder)

If you experience any of the following, it may indicate a gambling problem:

• Preoccupation with Gambling: Constantly thinking about gambling or planning ways to get more money to gamble.

• Escalating Gambling Habits: Feeling the need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to experience the same thrill.

• Failed Attempts to Stop: Trying to cut back or stop gambling without success.

• Restlessness or Irritability: Feeling uneasy or irritable when trying to reduce or quit gambling.

• Gambling to Escape: Using gambling as a way to escape problems or alleviate feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression.

• Chasing Losses: Trying to win back lost money by gambling more.

• Deception: Lying to family members or others about the extent of your gambling.

• Impact on Relationships and Responsibilities: Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, job opportunities, or education due to gambling.

• Financial Struggles: Resorting to theft or fraud to get money for gambling or asking others to bail you out of financial trouble caused by gambling.

What You Can Do

If any of these symptoms resonate with you, it is important to seek professional help, as overcoming compulsive gambling on your own is very difficult. Support from family and friends is also crucial, as individuals struggling with gambling disorder often find it hard to reach out for help on their own.

For more information and resources on how to seek help for gambling addiction, visit our Responsible Gaming page.

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