Gambling Addiction

What is Gambling Addiction?

Problem gambling is a psychiatric disorder defined as continuing to gamble despite harmful consequences. Consequences include debt, bankruptcy, crime, family conflict, suicide, divorce, domestic violence, and work-related problems. Gambling disorder can cause or worse other psychiatric disorders such as drug and alcohol addiction, depression, and anxiety. There are genetic, psychological, and social risk factors in a problem gambler. Nearly 4-5% of the population are problem gamblers. Popular forms of gambling include casino games, card rooms, slots, video poker, internet gambling, lottery, horse racing, betting on sports teams, and the stock market. It is also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, gambling disorder, or problem gambling.

Signs and symptoms of gambling addiction include:

• Being occupied with gambling
• Lying
• Gambling with more and more money
• Borrowing money
• Wanting to stop gambling but not being able to stop
• Losing life opportunities
• Gambling to escape from life

Additional resources include:

Gamblers Anonymous - www.gamblersanonymous.org

Gam Anon (help for spouses, family members, and close friends) - www.gam-anon.org

Smart Recovery - www.smartrecovery.org