Minneapolis
Therapy & Marriage Counseling |
Ayd and Cavanagh
Psychological Services
4004 24th
Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-229-1234
SIGNS
OF PROBLEM GAMBLING |
 |
Unlike alcohol or other drug abuse where
those under the influence may appear intoxicated or "high",
problem gamblers usually do not exhibit easily recognizable signs.
However, there are signs that may indicate someone is experiencing
a gambling problem.
According to the South Oaks Gambling
Screen (SOGS), the following are often signs of problem gambling:
- The person gambles more than they
intended
- Other people are suggesting that
the person might have a gambling problem
- The person is feeling guilty about
the way he or she gambles
- The person wants to stop betting
money and feels like he or she can’t
- The person gambling is hiding betting
slips, lottery tickets, gambling money or other signs of betting
- There are arguments over how the
person gambling is handling money
- The person gambling is borrowing
money and not repaying it
- The person gambling is losing time
from work or school due to betting money or gambling
The American Psychiatric Association's
Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), also
suggests that signs of problem gambling may include:
- Preoccupation with gambling (reliving
past gambling experiences, planning the next venture or thinking
of ways in which to gamble)
- Needing to gamble with increasing
amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
- Trying to control, cut down or
stop gambling unsuccessfully
- Feeling restless or irritable
when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- Using gambling as a way to escape
problems or bad moods (helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)
- Returning to gamble after losing
money gambling
- Lying to conceal the extent of
involvement with gambling
- Committing illegal acts, such
as forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement to finance gambling.
- Jeopardizing or losing a significant
relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because
of gambling.
- Relying on others to get out
of debt.