Gambling can be a lot of fun if you’re betting with your own money and you have the self-control to walk away when you lose what you came with. However, if you find yourself gambling despite knowing that it’s causing harm in your life, it might be time to start looking at signs of gambling addiction.
Here are 4 symptoms of information about gambling addiction to watching out for. If one or more of these apply to you, contact your doctor immediately or seek other treatment from a therapist who specializes in helping people with addictions like this one.
1) Risking More Money
Than You Can Afford to LoseIf you find yourself risking more money than you can afford to lose, you may want to consider the possibility of gambling addiction.
It’s important not to brush off any warning signs that indicate an addiction because in some cases gambling addiction can lead to bankruptcy and other devastating consequences.
If you think that you might have a problem with gambling, there are several resources available to help get your life back on track.
2) Chasing Losses
Chasing losses is a very common symptom of gambling addiction. This occurs when someone seeks to recoup their losses by gambling more, often with more money than they had originally wagered.
It’s an extremely risky behavior that can lead to even more devastating consequences, like bankruptcy or even suicide in some cases.
3) Lying About Your Gambling
It can be difficult to notice that you may have a gambling addiction, especially if you are lying to yourself.
If you feel as though gambling is the only way for you to escape your problems or if you feel like your life is unmanageable because of it, then it’s time for you to ask yourself some tough questions. Take this quiz and see if any of these symptoms apply to your situation.
4) Neglecting Responsibilities in Favor of Gambling
One of the symptoms that often go overlooked when it comes to gambling addiction is the neglect of responsibilities in favor of gambling.
When someone becomes addicted, they start to prioritize their addiction over anything else, including work or family. Being distracted by thoughts about gambling can also cause a person to be late for work or forgetful about things like cooking dinner. These are some of the most common symptoms you might see if you suspect someone is struggling with a gambling addiction.
Conclusion
Gambling addiction can happen to anyone. You don’t have to be an alcoholic or drug addict, you don’t need to be lacking any self-control, and it isn’t your fault. The simple fact of the matter is that some people are simply more prone to addiction than others, and this includes gambling addiction just like any other type of addiction. If you or someone you care about has been gambling excessively, it can mean one of two things: either they are addicted to gambling or they are overcompensating for something else entirely unrelated to their gambling habits and behaviors.