Characteristics
of Gambling Addiction Behavior
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| Preoccupation
- Preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences,
handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to
gamble) | | Tolerance
- Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired
excitement | | Withdrawal
- Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling |
| Escape
- Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood (e.g.,
feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression) |
| Chasing
- After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even
("chasing one's losses"). Chasing is a classical behavior pattern characterizing
pathological gambling. | | Lying
- Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement
with gambling | | Illegal
Acts - Has committed illegal acts (e.g., forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement)
in order to finance gambling | | Risked
Significant Relationship - Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship,
job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling | | Bailout
- Has relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation
caused by gambling | | Loss
of Control - Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back
or stop gambling |
Five
or more of these signs = pathological gambler
Three or four = problem gambler
One or two = "at risk" gambler
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family/physician owned and operated drug and alcohol rehab center in Florida has
an experienced staff ready to answer any of your questions regarding your addiction
problem. By calling us you will get a better understanding of how you can benefit
from our addiction treatment programs,
get familiar with our accommodations at our
addiction treatment center, and you can get information on insurance and payment
plans.
Gambling Self Assessment
Try
answering the following questions as truthfully as you can.
According
to Gamblers
Anonymous, if you answer 'yes' to seven of more of these questions, you most
likely have a compulsive gambling problem.
| |
| Did
you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? |
| Has
gambling ever made your home life unhappy? | | Did
gambling affect your reputation? | | Have
you ever felt remorse after gambling? | | Did
you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial
difficulties? | | Did
gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? | | After
losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
| | After
a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more? | | Did
you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? | | Did
you ever borrow to finance your gambling? | | Have
you ever sold anything to finance gambling? | | Were
you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? | | Did
gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? | | Did
you ever gamble longer than you had planned? | | Have
you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble? | | Have
you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? | | Did
gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? | | Do
arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
| | Did
you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
| | Have
you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
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