Signs of a Compulsive Gambler
1.Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?
2.Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?
3.Does this person ever lose time from work due to gambling?
4.Do you feel that this person cannot be trusted with money?
5.Does the person in question faithfully promise that he/ she will stop gambling; beg, plead for another chance, yet gamble again and again?
6.Does this person ever gamble longer than he/she intended to, until the last dollar is gone?
7.Does this person immediately return to gambling to try to recover losses, or to win more?
8.Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?
9.Does this person borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?
10.Has this person’s reputation ever suffered due to gambling, even to the extent of committing illegal acts to finance gambling?
11.Have you come to the point of hiding money needed for living expenses, knowing that you and the rest of the family may
go without food and clothing if you do not?
12.Do you search this person’s clothing or go through his/her wallet when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise
check on his/her activities?
13.Does the person in question hide his/her money?
14.Have you noticed a personality change in the gambler as the gambling progresses?
15.Does the person in question consistently lie to cover up or deny his/her gambling activities?
16.Does this person use guilt induction to try to shift responsibilities for his/her gambling upon you?
17.Do you attempt to anticipate this person’s moods, or try to control his/her life?
18.Does this person ever suffer from remorse or depression due to gambling, sometimes to the point of considering
self-destruction?
19.Has the gambling ever brought you to the point of threatening to break up the family unit?
20.Do you feel that your life together is a nightmare?
If you answerd yes to six or more of these questions, chances are the person who you are concerned about is a compulsive gambler. Don’t wait for the gambler to admit their problem, but seek help in dealing with this situation, and don’t let it destroy you and possibly the lives of your children.
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If there is a gambling problem in your home, don’t wait for the gambler to admit it – chances are that he might not. Compulsive gambling effects husbands, wives, children, relatives and close friends of compulsive gamblers, and can destroy you all.
You can learn more effective ways of coping with the gambler and the gambling problem on a practical, day-to-day basis. You can learn techniques to enable you to deal with the extreme levels of stress this situation is creating. In some cases, this may even motivate the gambler toward seeking help for him or herself. But don’t bet on it!
Whatever he decides, make sure you seek the help and support that you need.
