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For most people, gambling is a social event done responsibly. For as much as 4% of all adults, though, gambling can disrupt their lives. About 2 million (1%) of adults in the U.S. meet the criteria for pathological gambling.

Another 4 to 8 million persons (2–3%) are problem gamblers. They are not pathological gamblers, but have problems due to gambling.

Signs & Symptoms

For Pathological Gambling

1. •Pathological gamblers are addicted to gambling. They do 5 or more of these things:
   

2. •They are pre-occupied with gambling. They dwell on past gambling events, plan future gambling bouts, and/or think about ways to get money to gamble with.
   

3. •They need to increase the amount of money to gamble with to get a desired level of excitement.
   

4. •They have tried to control, limit, or stop gambling without success.
   

5. •They are restless or very cranky when they try to limit or stop gambling.
   

6. •They gamble to escape problems or to relieve negative feelings.
   

7. •They gamble to get even for past gambling losses.
   

8. •They lie to others to hide how much they are involved with gambling.
   

9. •They have stolen or done another illegal act to get money for gambling.
   

10. •They have lost a job, a relationship, etc., due to gambling.
    

11. •They rely on others to bail them out from money problems due to gambling.
    

Other Problems Pathological Gamblers Have

1. •They abuse alcohol or drugs.
   

2. •They sleep poorly.
   

3. •They are prone to stress-related conditions, such as high blood pressure, headaches, and mood disorders, such as depression.
   

4. •They have thoughts of suicide.
   

5. •They gamble constantly.
   

6. •They want to have wealth and material goods without working hard to get them.
   

7. •They think that money is both the cause of and solution to all of their problems.
   

8. •They feel important or “in control” and over-confident while betting.
   

Causes

Problem gambling occurs when gambling can’t be controlled. It may follow years of social gambling, but then may be set into motion by a stressful event or greater exposure to gambling. Problem gamblers report that one or both parents had a drinking and/or gambling problem.

Self-Care / Prevention

Along with professional treatment:

1. •Learn all you can about gambling and its effects.
   

2. •Contact Gamblers Anonymous (GA) listed below.
   

3. •Ask your family and friends to help you take part in non-gambling activities.
   

4. •When you feel compelled to gamble, do something else. Exercise. Take a warm bath or shower. Spend time on a hobby.
   

5. •Get involved in school, church, and community activities. These can help distract you from gambling.

Questions to Ask

Do you have any of these problems?

1. •You are pre-occupied with gambling. You dwell on past gambling experiences, plan future gambling bouts and/or think about ways to get money to gamble with.
   

2. •You need to increase the amount of money you gamble with to get a desired level of excitement.
   

3. •You have tried to control, cut back, or stop gambling without success.
   

4. •You are restless or irritable when you try to cut down or stop gambling.
   

5. •You gamble to escape problems or relieve negative feelings.
   

6. •You gamble as a way to get even for past gambling losses.
   

7. •You lie to others to hide how involved you are with gambling.
   

8. •You have done an illegal act to get money for gambling (e.g., theft, fraud, forgery).
   

9. •You have lost a job, career opportunity, or a relationship because of gambling.
   

10. •You rely on others to give you money to bail you out from a financial loss due to gambling.

Do you gamble only during a manic episode, a distinct period in which your mood is abnormally and constantly elevated and irritable?

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