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How do I know if I have a problem with Gambling?

Gambling addiction is as serious as addiction to a substance but often more difficult to diagnose as there is no associated physical dependence. Gambling involves risk and is often used as a mechanism to remove the gambler from reality. The thrill or excitement associated by the risk and the continued risk taking to win back a loss is the foundation of a gambling addiction. A gambling addict will often have an unfounded belief that the next bet is essential and will put everything right. Questionnaire

The questions below will help you to decide if it would be advisable to seek further advice; if you answer the questions honestly and you answer yes to three or more then you may have a problem.

  Yes No
1.    Do have any close relatives that have had a problem with gambling, drugs or alcohol?
     
  Yes No
2.    Have you ever lost more money than you can comfortably afford?
     
  Yes No
3.    Have you continued to gamble in an attempt to make up a loss?
     
  Yes No
4.    Do you use gambling to help detach yourself from life’s problems?
     
  Yes No
5.    Have you changed your friends to those who are more accepting of your gambling?
     
  Yes No
6.    Have you noticed that you need risk more or gamble higher stakes to achieve the level of excitement you desire?
     
  Yes No
7.    Has using gambling or risk taking ever caused you problems at work, school or at home?
     
  Yes No
8.    Have you borrowed money in order to gamble?
     
  Yes No
9.    Have your friends ever commented on the amount of money you risk?
     
  Yes No
10.    Do you ever promise yourself to limit the amount you gamble to find that you risk more?
     
  Yes No
11.    Do you feel guilt, remorse and a sense of low self esteem when you have gambled regardless of whether you have won?
     
  Yes No
12.    Have you ever known that there would be negative consequences to your gambling but you have gambled regardless of this?
     
  Yes No
13.    Do you think about gambling often and are preoccupied with when you can next gamble?
     
  Yes No
14.    Have you gambled in order to return to a state of normality?
     
  Yes No
15.    Have you ever tried to stop gambling for a period of time but failed?
     
  Yes No
16.    Does gambling or risk taking make you feel more normal and like everyone else?
     
  Yes No
17.    Do you feel you have no choice as to whether you gamble or not?
     
  Yes No
18.    Has gambling got you into debt or have you gambled regardless of whether it will leave you without enough money for food and bills?

 

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