How to Identify a Gambling Problem

According to the NCPG (National Council on Problem Gambling) about two million adults in America are addicted to gambling, and another five million are considered to be "problem gamblers", which means that they exhibit some but not all of the symptoms of an addiction. Gambling is a popular pastime in America; over sixty percent of adults admit to gambling within the past year.

An addiction to gambling can be problematic for the addict and all those who associate with them. Many have lost cars, jobs, homes, marriages and even their lives over gambling addiction. This is just as serious as any other addiction- if you or someone you care about may be addicted, you can use these criteria to find out how to identify a gambling problem.

1. Decide whether the person in question's gambling is taking over their thoughts. Signs that a person is preoccupied with gambling include: constant thoughts about it, planning the next excursion, and plotting how to get more gambling money.

2. Determine whether the person needs ever-increasing amounts of money to create the level of excitement they need. This is comparable to a drug addict's requirement for more drugs in order to recreate that first "high".

3. Has the person tried repeatedly to stop or control their gambling, without success? If so, there is likely a gambling addiction. An addict will often get moody, irritable and angry when they try to quit on their own.

4. Does the person use their gambling as a way to escape from the problems of day to day life, or as a pick-me-up after a bad mood? If so, their gambling may be problematic.

5. Look at the person's gambling pattern. Do they lose all their money, then come right back in order to try to regain their losses? This is called "chasing" and it is a sure sign of a gambling addiction.

6. Does the person in question attempt to hide their gambling? An addict will frequently lie to those closest to them about where they've been and what they are spending their money on.

7. Some gambling addicts will resort to illegal means to cover up their monetary losses or to get more money to gamble on. If gaming has caused a person to lose a job or a relationship, it is likely an addiction.

8. Has the person had to go to family members or friends for money to pay debts or finance gambling excursions? If so, they may be addicted and in over their head.

This isn't a complete list by any means, but if a person you know exhibits one or more of these signs, they may have a gambling problem and should seek professional help.