How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling
- How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Losses
- How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Online
- How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Winnings
- How Can You Find Out If Someone Is Gambling
Are you concerned that someone you know has a gambling problem, but not sure what type of things to look for? Knowing the warning signs can help you decide what action to take.
It is common to notice changes in the person's finances, mood and behaviour or how they spend their time.
Financial signs
Some common financial warning signs that someone may have a problem with gambling include:
Here are some signs that a person may have a gambling problem: Spends a lot of time gambling. This leaves little time for family, friends, or other interests. Begins to place larger bets and more often. Loved ones of people experiencing gambling addiction might not be aware there is a problem until it has spiraled out of control. The DSM-5 lists nine warning signs of gambling addiction.
Some common financial warning signs that someone may have a problem with gambling include: Money missing from bank accounts, wallet/purse or money jar Household items and valuables missing Regularly short of money even though they earn a wage. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle-aged people. Gambling during childhood or the teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling. However, compulsive gambling in the older adult population can also be a problem. Compulsive gambling is more common in men than women.
How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Losses
- Money missing from bank accounts, wallet/purse or money jar
- Household items and valuables missing
- Regularly short of money even though they earn a wage
- Borrowing money on a regular basis
- Having many loans at the one time
- Being secretive about financial records or payslips
- Unpaid bills/disconnection notices
- Lack of food in the house.
Mood and behavioural signs
When someone develops a gambling problem, there are often noticeable changes to their mood and behaviour, including:
- Becoming withdrawn from others/family events
- Performance at work is being affected
- Seeming worried, agitated or upset for no apparent reason
- Reporting feeling hopeless, depressed, frustrated or suicidal
- Changes in personality - sleeping, eating, or sexual relationship patterns
- Controlling and/or manipulative behaviour
- Using threats, lies or charm to manipulate others.
Time related signs
Some common time-related signs that could indicate someone has a problem with gambling include:
- Spending more and more time gambling
- Being secretive about unexplained absences
- Often being late for commitments
- Taking a lot of sick days or days off
- Taking an unusual amount of time for simple tasks (e.g. taking two hours to get the paper from the shops).
Remember gambling behaviour is often hidden
It can be difficult to know if someone has a problem with gambling. Initially we may not want to believe that someone we know or love has a problem with gambling.
How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Online
It can also be difficult to detect a gambling problem, because many people who gamble do not show their feelings and may lie or get angry if questioned about their behaviour.
People sometimes say they feel that they should have noticed sooner, but remember the person gambling may have gone to great lengths to hide it from you.
Once you have noticed there are many ways we can help you and the person gambling – why not start chatting to one of our Counsellors today, it’s free, confidential and available 24/7:
Take this gambling addiction test to help find out whether you have a problem with gambling or a real gambling problem.
How to Recognize a Gambling Problem
It isn't difficult to determine if a person has a gambling problem. The signs of a gambling addiction or gambling problem are likely apparent to significant others surrounding the person with a gambling addiction. But to the gambling addict who's enmeshed in the world of betting, it's often difficult to see things clearly.
Gambler's Anonymous asks its new members twenty questions. These questions are provided to help the individual decide if he or she is a compulsive gambler and wants to stop gambling. Pathological gamblers usually answer 'yes' to at least seven of these questions:
Gambling Addiction Test: Is Gambling A Problem for You?
Do you really want to know if you have problems with gambling. Answer these gambling addiction test questions honestly.
- Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
- Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
- Did gambling affect your reputation?
- Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
- Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
- Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
- After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
- After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
- Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
- Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
- Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
- Were you reluctant to use 'gambling money' for normal expenditures?
- Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
- Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
- Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
- Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
- Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
- Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
- Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
- Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
Gambling Problem? What Next?
How To Find Out If Someone Is Gambling Winnings
If you are concerned about having a gambling problem, even if you just consider if a 'problem with gambling,' print the results of this gambling addiction test and share them with your doctor, a counselor or therapist, or someone else you trust. Problem gambling can be helped with proper gambling addiction treatment.
Sources:
How Can You Find Out If Someone Is Gambling
- Gambler's Anonymous
next: Why Do People Gamble
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~ all articles on addictions
APA Reference
Gluck, S. (2008, December 16). Do You Have A Gambling Problem?, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2020, December 15 from https://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/gambling-addiction/gambling-addiction-test