For most people, gambling is an activity they partake in from time to time which can be fun and exciting or even disappointing or mildly depressing. These people can have a flutter on the Melbourne Cup or take an occasional trip to the casino without being overly attached to the results.
For others, the act of gambling takes on a far greater significance. Wins (which are often viewed as extra money to gamble with) can be met with sheer exhilaration and losses with abject despair. These people tend to bet obsessively, chasing their losses with larger and larger bets. After a while, the initial reason for gambling fades into the distance to a point where they simply gamble because that’s what they do.
The costs of addictive gambling include not only the financial (bankruptcy, debts, unpaid bills and missed opportunities such as holidays or cars), but emotional (depression, anxiety, chronic guilt and low self-esteem) and social (broken or strained relationships, isolation, mistrust and secrecy).
By honestly answering the following questions, you should be able to get an idea as to whether you need to seek assistance for dealing with your gambling activities.
- 1. Did you ever lose time from work or school 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 winback 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 your gambling?
- 17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in 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 gambling?
- 20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
If you answered YES to 7 or more of the above questions you should seek professional assistance to determine the nature and extent of your gambling. At Counselling & Therapy Associates, we have a range of treatments for gambling addiction. To book a session, simply Click Here
