How do you know if you are a compulsive, or pathological, gambler?
Although some people like to gamble occasionally, the pathological gambler usually progresses from occasional gambling to habitual gambling. As the gambling progresses, the gambler begins to risk more—both personally and financially. This often leads to severe personal problems, financial ruin and criminal behavior to support the gambling habit.
Pathological gambling is indicated by demonstrating five or more of the following symptoms:
- Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling, such as past experiences or ways to get more money with which to gamble
- Needing to gamble progressively larger amounts of money to feel excitement
- Having made many unsuccessful attempts to cut back or quit gambling
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back or quit gambling
- Gambling to escape problems or feelings of sadness or anxiety
- Gambling larger amounts of money to try to recoup previous losses
- Lying about the amount of time or money spent gambling
- Committing crimes to get money to gamble
- Losing a job, relationship, or educational or career opportunity due to gambling
- Needing to borrow money to get by due to gambling losses
Gambling addiction is a significant problem in the United States, impacting adults of all ages. It affects 1 to 3 percent of adults, men more often than women. It usually begins in adolescence in men and later in women. Until recently, legal casino and sports betting were limited to few states. The growth of riverboat and Indian casinos, state and national lotteries, and Internet access to offshore sports and parlor betting has dramatically increased access for all adults, including seniors. Older adults are, perhaps, more vulnerable than other age groups given their greater dependence on fixed incomes and more limited ability to recover from gambling losses.
