What is compulsive gambling?
Compulsive gambling is an illness also called addictive gambling. Some people simply suffer from a uncontrollable desire to gamble - they simply cannot stop.
It is often difficult for addictive gamblers to realize that they have lost total control of what is supposed to be a fun recreational activity. If you have a gambling problem please get help, otherwise you might ruin your life and all your family and friends will be suffering too.
There are many clinics that help people who are addictive gamblers. If in doubt you could contact www.gamblersanonymous.org
TWENTY COMPULSIVE GAMBLING QUESTIONS
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 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 win back 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. Were you reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
12. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
13. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
14. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
15. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
16. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
17. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
18. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
19. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
20. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.