Myths about Gambling Disorders
Myth #1: You are a problem gambler if you gamble every day.
A person who suffers from problem gambling may gamble infrequently. People without addictive personalities may gamble safely every day. Gambling is problematic based on whether it interferes with daily life - not how often you do it.
Myth #2: Gambling is not a problem if you can afford it.
NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley famously said he doesn’t consider gambling a problem because he can afford it - but financial losses are just part of the problem. Addiction can result in money troubles - and it can also lead to legal, relationship, and mental health problems.
Myth #3: Only irresponsible, weak-willed, or unintelligent people suffer from addiction to gambling.
Around the world, successful people of all backgrounds and intelligence levels find themselves addicted to gambling every day. People who are strong-willed and responsible are just as vulnerable to problem gaming.
Myth #4: A lot of people turn to gambling because their loved ones drive them to it.
People who suffer from gambling addictions try to justify their behavior by blaming someone else for their problems. This is just another way of not taking responsibility for their actions and avoiding gambling addiction treatment.
Myth #5: A person with a gambling addiction needs help paying their debts.
Helping a loved one in a time of financial need may seem like the right thing to do. However, taking care of a debt or bailing a gambler out of jail can actually worsen the problem by enabling them to continue their problematic behavior. A more difficult but effective sign of caring: letting the addict you love hit rock bottom and admit the need for treatment.
Signs of a Gambling Problem
Do you suspect that you have a gambling problem? Are you concerned about a loved one’s gambling habit? Gambling addictions often have symptoms that are similar to those associated with other addiction problems. Here are some of the signs:
They spend too much time away.
A person who has a gambling problem often sneaks away from their loved ones to spend time gambling privately. The more they gamble, the more time away from friends and loved ones is needed.
A person who suffers from compulsive gambling habits will be gone away from home for long periods which they will not be able to account for. Oh yes - a lot of addicts will also gamble at work.
They hide their gambling from their families.
Although their loved ones may know that they like to play poker or have a run at slot machines, they will not know the extent of their gambling addiction or how much money they have lost.
They know that their family and friends will not approve of their habit and will preach to them about it, so they hide their addiction from them, according to experts’ compilations of gambling facts.
They are late in making payments.
Despite having a full-time job with good pay, a person who is addicted to gambling will constantly juggle their bills, paying one on time only to fall behind on another. They drive the balance on their credit cards upward and make only minimum payments each month.
Spouses may notice checks from the gambler’s account bouncing as insufficient-funds notices pile up next to collection demands and credit denial letters.
They are obsessed with borrowing money.
People with gambling problems are obsessed with finding more money to pay their debts and place more bets. They may think of inventive ways to get money from employers, family, and friends in addition to banks and other lending agencies. Some tell gambling addiction stories about stealing money from spouses’ wallets, kids’ piggy banks, or guests’ purses.
Gamblers believe they will someday pay back all the misappropriated funds or rationalize their behavior by telling themselves that the people they are taking money from do not need it as much as they do.
Gambling is always on their minds.
People with gambling disorders prefer to play at the high-stakes tables. They are always on the lookout for the thrill that comes from winning big, even though they may be losing money most of the time. Playing poker or betting on sports is always on their minds.
They use up all their money on gambling.
In their quest to get that high, someone with a gambling disorder will lose all the money in their wallet. But that doesn’t stop them. They keep on playing in the desperate hope that they will recover what they lost with a big win.
They suffer from mood swings.
Deep in their addiction, problem gamblers have mood swings that mimic bipolar disorder. The constant fluctuation of emotions can be very difficult for gamblers and their loved ones.
The good mood usually comes after a win - they may brag about their accomplishment or purchase inappropriately expensive gifts for loved ones. The bad mood comes after a loss, and can result in anger, depression, hopelessness, and general irritability.
They suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
Gambling addiction symptoms include withdrawal, and it’s as bad as withdrawal from any drug. Away from the gaming table too long, gamblers crave wagering. They will try to find ways to gamble again. They may lash out against loved ones or engage in reckless, irresponsible behavior.
They suffer from performance issues at work.
Since people with gambling issues are always thinking of gambling, they may be gambling online at the office. They may take sick days off and spend them gambling. Even extended bathroom or lunch breaks can be an opportunity to gamble. Problem gamblers often experience a decline in job performance that gets them in trouble at work.
They have relationship issues.
One of the most common gambling addiction signs is that the gambler may disappear without a word to family members or loved ones - to gamble. They may not give family and friends the quality time they expect, neglecting them in favor of more time at the casino.
They may neglect familial responsibilities in their single-minded focus on gambling. As a result, their personal and social lives deteriorate. Many gambling disorders eventually result in broken or estranged families.
They get defensive about their gambling habits.
One of the biggest signs of a gambling problem is that gamblers are likely to get defensive and irritated when confronted with the truth about their problem. They may move from denial to a refusal to talk about their habit. From there it’s a short hop to a dramatic confrontation.
Problem gamblers aren’t able to see that loved ones are trying to help them. They blow up, walk out of the room, or accuse their loved ones of being wrong, disloyal, or uncaring for thinking negative things about them.
They are unable to stop gambling.
One of the most telling signs of gambling addiction is that gamblers say they want to stop gambling but they have found themselves unable to quit. They have tried to limit the frequency of casino visits, the amount of time they spend, the amount of money they gamble away. But it never works. All their good intentions quickly dissolve in the face of their addiction.
Understanding that you have a gambling problem is not something to be ashamed of. All you need is some help and support - and the willingness to accept and face your problem. This step is even harder now because of the current world epidemic. Gambling addiction and lockdown go hand in hand.
