Are you or a loved one dealing with a gambling problem?
Problem gambling, sometimes also called compulsive gambling, or gambling addiction is an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life and the people around you. Problem gamblers are often preoccupied with gambling, bet bigger amounts hoping to win back what they've lost, and generally have tried unsuccessfully to quit. Problem gamblers often experience financial hardships, trouble in their relationships, difficulties at work and their mental health suffers. Some even contemplate suicide.
The good news is that help for problem gambling is available.
Do you have a gambling problem?
While only a skilled clinician can formally diagnose you with a gambling disorder, here are a few questions to consider:
1) Have there ever been periods lasting two weeks or longer when you spent a lot of time thinking about your gambling experiences, planning out future gambling ventures or bets, or thinking about ways of getting money to gamble with?
2) Have there ever been periods when you needed to gamble with increasing amounts of money or with larger bets than before in order to get the same feeling of excitement?
3) Have you ever felt restless or irritable when trying to stop, cut down, or control your gambling?
4) Have you tried and not succeeded in stopping, cutting down, or controlling your gambling three or more times in your life?
5) Have you ever gambled to escape from personal problems, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings such as guilt, anxiety, helplessness, or depression?
6) Has there ever been a period when, if you lost money gambling one day, you would often return another day to get even?
See the rest of the questions and check your score.
Problem Gambling Recovery Is Possible!
As an 18-year-old, I got a $10,000 win on a slot machine in Atlantic City. I was hooked and didn’t remember the fact that I gave most of it back before I headed back home that Sunday night. Over the course of several years, I tried again and again for that kind of big win again; I just wanted to feel that high again, but I wound up losing tens of thousands of dollars. I chased my losses, and promised myself that once I “get back to even,” or at least get some of my losses back, I would forever stop gambling. My debts grew and grew and I lived my life dodging creditors and friends who lent me money. Sometimes I felt suicidal and I lied to my family, friends and co-workers so many times that I lost count.
I'm glad those days are over.
Featured Resource
BetBreak, our award-winning groundbreaking workbook and self-study guide will help you understand and appreciate how taking a break - of any duration - from sportsbetting can be transformational for your mental health, finances and relationships with friends & family.
Here's what you'll learn:
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How to curb your sports betting if you aren't ready to quit.
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How to quit once and for all.
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How to set SMART goals you'll stick to.
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How to limit access to the three things you need to gamble.
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Why you can't rely on willpower.
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Proven ways to manage cravings & urges.
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Regaining control over your finances.
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Ways to deal with guilt and shame.
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Responding to peer pressure.
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Stress management tips.
Problem Gambling Facts
2 Million
Americans
An estimated 2 million U.S. adults (1%) meet the diagnostic criteria for severe gambling problems in any given year.
4-6 Million
Americans
Another 4-6 million (2-3%) have mild or moderate gambling problems. They don't meet the full diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction but have started to experience problems.
$7
Billion
The annual social cost of problem gambling in the US is $7 billion. These costs include gambling-related criminal justice and healthcare spending as well as job loss, bankruptcy and other consequences.
60-80%
of Teens
Between 60-80% of high school students report having gambled for money during the past year; 8% of these teens are pathological gamblers.
Problem Gambling Information
