Here are some of the common behavioural patterns associated with problem gambling:
- Persistent involvement with gambling.
- Anxiety and irritability when gambling is interrupted or reduced.
- Tendency to borrow money in order to temporarily address financial problems.
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control, reduce or interrupt gambling.
- Long or unwarranted periods of absence from home and work.
- Duplicate loans, overused credit cards, bounced cheques and unjustified lack of money in the family budget.
- Intensive study of sports schedule and sports picks from television, newspapers, radio and the internet.
- Isolation to focus better on the ways to gamble.
- Refusal to accept advice or remarks made by others about how to deal with gambling.
- Decline in work productivity.
- Discomfort, anger and staggering tension if an occurrence prevents gambling.
- Happy mood, inflated self-esteem and relief when gambling is profitable.
If you think you have a gambling addiction issue, the following questions can help you verify it:
- Does gamble prevent you from being consistent in your work or studies?
- Do you bet just to pass some time or because you feel bored?
- Do you gamble to pay debts or solve some financial problems?
- Do you gamble until you lose all your money?
- Have you ever lied to hide the amount and time you spent gambling?
- Do you gamble alone and for long periods of time?
- Has anyone criticized you for your gambling?
- Have you lost interest in family, friends and other entertainment activities?
- Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to maintain your gambling habits?
- Have you lied, stolen or borrowed to try to get even?
- Are you reluctant to spend gambling money on something else?
- After a loss, do you feel you have to try to win back your losses as fast as possible?
- Do you want to bet after getting into an argument, facing frustration, or experiencing disappointment?
- Do you ever feel depressed or consider harming yourself as a result of gambling?
The more positive answers, the greater the probability of having a gambling addiction problem.