Gambling can be a pleasurable pastime for many people, but when it begins to interfere with your daily life, you may have a gambling addiction. Addiction is often characterized by a feeling of that you can't stop a particular behavior--an impulse-control problem. Some signs and symptoms can indicate you have a gambling problem, and it's time to obtain professional help.
Thrill-Seeking Behavior
Taking big gambling risks can give a compulsive gambler a rush, adding to the addiction and making it hard to stop. Whether the gambler is winning or losing, the surge of emotions that occur during a gambling session can keep the addicted coming back for more. The Mayo Clinic says you may even find yourself taking increasingly larger risks with your money and replaying past gambling experiences in your mind or talking about them with others. If you are preoccupied with thoughts of gambling, you may have a gambling addiction.
Hiding Behaviors
If you're addicted, you may hide your gambling behaviors from your friends, families or coworkers. Health website Help Guide notes that some addicted gamblers will also start taking care of the household finances so that they can maintain their habit. If you find yourself denying that you gamble, steal money to gamble or lie about your behavior, the Mayo Clinic says it is time to get help.
Quality of Life Declines
Gambling can put strain on your relationships with your spouse, children and friends, while also causing trouble at work, according to the Family Doctor website. If you have an addiction, you will gamble rather than spend quality time with those close to you. You also might feel guilt and remorse over your habit. With very severe gambling addictions, you could lose your business or job, marriage and children. According to the Mayo Clinic, in some extremely severe cases, an unsuccessful gambler may commit suicide.
Financial Problems
Financial problems can indicate a gambling addiction. Stealing or consistently borrowing money from others is a sign. According to the Mayo Clinic, you may use credit cards, your savings or even dip in to your children's money or college funds to fund your addiction.
