No Cheap Thrill: Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is real, and its consequences just as tragic, as alcohol or drug abuse.
According to The American Psychiatric Association and the American Medical Association pathological (or "compulsive") gambling is a diagnosable mental disorder. The prevalence of this disorder is closely linked to the accessibility and acceptability of gambling in society, and like alcoholism, just a small percentage of Americans are susceptible.
A gambling addiction can be distressing for an individual and his/her family. What may start as a pleasurable experience turns into an uncontrollable destructive craving. When the thrill of the game outweighs everything else, the player has crossed over the line from player to addict.
A problem gambler is defined as someone whose gambling has caused growing and continuing problems in his/her life. Problem gambling is a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.
The following are 20 questions offered by Gamblers Anonymous to help you decide if you are a compulsive gambler. Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.
1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or other wise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling made you careless of the welfare of your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, and illegal act ot finance gambling? 17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self destruction as a result of your gambling?
If you need to talk to someone about your addiction, call the Nation Problem Gambling Help Line at 1-800-522-4700.
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