Gambling at a casino or bingo hall can be a relaxing form of entertainment, and often costs no more than a concert or dinner. However, for many gambling can be a debilitating addiction that can cause them to incur overwhelming debt or bankruptcy, as well as ruining their marriage and other personal relationships. According to The National Council on Problem Gambling, there are specific signs to look for when you suspect yourself or a loved one may have a gambling problem.
Step 1
Ask yourself whether you have spent much more time gambling than you planned and whether you gamble until you have lost all of your money.
Step 2
Look at your finances to see whether gambling has cut into your savings, or whether you have used bill money for gambling funds. Other money signals are borrowing money for gambling and gambling to obtain money to pay your bills.
Step 3
Consider whether thinking of gambling has caused you loss of sleep, and whether your gambling losses have caused you to be remorseful, depressed or suicidal.
Step 4
Review your attitude toward gambling to see whether you have ever broken or considered breaking laws to obtain gambling money.
Step 5
Reflect on whether you are able to stop gambling and whether you have repeatedly tried to quit gambling without success. If you are unable to resist gambling, even though it causes problems, you probably have a gambling problem.
