• Self-Discovery
• South Oaks Gambling Screen
• Gamanon Questionnaire
• Quick Assessment
• Home

WHAT IS COMPULSIVE GAMBLING?

- From Gamblers Anonymous -

        Like alcohol or drug abuse, compulsive gambling is an addictive disease that causes people to gamble uncontrollably and with increasing frequency.  The "rush" or "action" the individual receives from gambling is similar to a high from drugs.  Like other addictions, gambling starts out as a recreational activity.  Sadly, because of the lack of awareness about the disease and the ease with which it can be hidden, many compulsive gamblers do not receive help until their addiction becomes debilitating.  By this time many have already lost their families, engaged in criminal activities to support their gambling or even considered suicide.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I OR SOMEONE I KNOW

HAS A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

-         The 20 Questions of Gamblers Anonymous –

Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions developed by Gamblers Anonymous.

1.  Did you ever lose time from work 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 otherwise 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 make you careless of the welfare of yourself and 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, an illegal act to finance gambling?

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty 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?

Typical Steps of Recovery for a Compulsive Gambler

People do not become compulsive gamblers overnight.  These are the typical steps leading to addiction in a compulsive gambler's life.

1.  Predisposing factors such as family, genetics or personality may influence future gambling behavior.

2.  The first bet is placed, usually at an early age. in one study of compulsive gamblers, 81% had made their first bet for money before reaching the age of 18.

3.  Early gambling behavior is influenced by importance placed on gambling by a mentor or peer.

4   Gambling venues are available or they are sought.

5.  The casual gambler becomes a heavy social gambler.

6.  A traumatic event occurs in the person's life.

7.  The gambler enjoys a "Winning Phase." He or she can't seem to lose.

8.    He or she wins a significant amount, usually called a    "Big Win."

9.  A "Losing Phase" begins with the gambler losing over and over again.

10. He or she tries to get even and out of the Losing Phase through frantic gambling to cover losses by engaging in additional gambling, known as "chasing losses,"

11. The gambler miraculously gets enough money to get out of debt from a friend, relative, or commercial lending institution, called a "Bail Out."

12. The gambler sinks to a "Desperate Phase." He or she is out of money and out of options.  The person may be homeless or in prison due to gambling activity.  A feeling of hopelessness may engulf the gambler; many consider suicide.