Many people love gambling and enjoy the excitement of winning or playing against a casino floor. However, gambling can also hurt us financially. Do you know where to draw the line between responsible gaming and being too addicted?

Gambling has become a lucrative industry, generating over $1.5 trillion annually worldwide. Unfortunately, casinos tend to focus their marketing strategies on new customers who spend more time betting. This often leads to compulsive gambling.

There are ways to manage a gambling addiction. Learn the facts, take control and quit before it gets out of hand. Below, we show you how.

What is a Gambling Addiction?

It’s not easy to determine whether someone has developed an addictive personality that makes them fall prey to compulsive gambling. In fact, there isn’t a clear definition for this condition — which adds to its appeal for gamblers. But here’s what the World Health Organization (WHO) says: “Addiction refers to a chronic, relapsing brain disease that can be defined by four characteristics:

1) tolerance;

2) withdrawal symptoms when the use of the substance stops;

3) unsuccessful attempts to stop using the substance by a person despite adverse consequences;

4) craving.”

Experts say it is better to think about problems with gambling as behavioral addictions rather than a mental illness because they don’t necessarily have cognitive impairments like other forms of addiction do. People addicted to alcohol, drugs, sex, or shopping can develop severe emotional or physical issues as well. They continue to gamble even though they know it harms them.

If left untreated, compulsive gambling can lead to financial ruin. For example, a single month of losses at the roulette table could cost an average gambler up to half his life savings in just one year! And unlike other types of addicts, those suffering from pathological gambling have increased levels of stress hormones in their bodies, making recovery even harder.

How to Recognize a Gambling Addiction

Gambling will usually start after a bout of heavy drinking, binge eating, sex, or some other pleasure-seeking behavior. Gamblers often begin with small bets and work their way up to larger ones. The longer they go without winning, the greater the urge becomes.

They may find themselves spending large amounts of money on games of chance, or may suddenly feel compelled to try their luck with online poker sites. Many first-time gamblers experience high levels of anxiety or depression, especially while waiting for a big win.

Here are a few telltale signs you might have a problem:

• You’re unable to control your gambling habits (for instance, constantly lose when you play blackjack).
• Sudden mood swings occur, causing you to fly off the handle.
• Your friends, family, and coworkers notice a change in your temperament.
• You get preoccupied with gambling to the exclusion of everything else.
• You lie to cover up past gambling mistakes.
• Your social circle withdraws from you since you now only seem interested in talking about the next wager.
• You gamble to escape negative feelings, such as anger, nervousness, frustration, or guilt.
• You need a drink or drug to calm yourself down after a loss.
• You’ve lost track of where you put all your money.
• You spend much of your free time playing cards, dice, slot machines, roulette wheels, etc.

How to Avoid Gambling Addiction

The most effective step people take to avoid becoming compulsive gamblers is to educate themselves, both before and during their involvement with these activities. Educate yourself about the dangers of compulsive gambling:

• Know how much you can afford to lose.
• Make sure your bankroll is enough to support your habit.
• Read books, articles, and Web pages about how casinos operate.
• Learn where to shop for lottery tickets.
• Find out if your state offers programs designed to help problem gamblers quit.

Educating yourself also allows gamblers to deal with their emotions and self-esteem before turning to harmful habits. If you recognize any early warning signals, contact your doctor for help. You may also want to seek counseling for your gambling problems.

• The following questions help determine whether someone has a gambling disorder.
• Have you been feeling restless, irritable, sad, or depressed?
• Do you have trouble sleeping at night due to worrying about losing your money?
• Has your job performance suffered because you’re thinking too much about gambling?
• Are you having thoughts about losing more money than you can afford?
• Do you ever fantasize about winning money or going places that you cannot afford?
• When you talk about your job, are you concerned about being fired because of your gambling?
• Do you feel guilty after gambling?
• Do you lie to conceal your gambling from others?
• Do you make empty promises to yourself about quitting gambling?

Conclusion

It’s hard to say how many people become addicted to gambling. About 7.7 million adults suffer from some form of pathological or addictive gambling. Most cases are mild and treatable through various behavioral therapies. In severe cases, treatment involves medications, psychotherapy, rehab, and even electroconvulsive therapy. Though gambling addiction is not curable, it can be controlled.