Gambling Addiction Symptoms

What once was limited by accessibility; is now just a drive away or right at your fingertips. Initially, you may just want to give it a try see what all the hype is about, but beware it is very easy to become addicted to gambling. Especially if you get lucky and win.

Gambling addiction symptoms can be a mixture of things, but often include an uncontrollable desire to continue gambling. It doesn't matter if you are winning or loosing, it is like a high.
The types of gambling addictions include:

Race tracks
Online betting
Bingo
Card games
Table games, like craps
Slot machines
Scratch off tickets
Lottery tickets
Football pools and other sports games
Some symptoms of a gambling addiction:

Gambling in hopes of winning back the money you've lost
Gambling to cope with stress
Lying about how much you've lost or won
Borrowing money, stealing or selling your belongings to gamble
Thinking about gambling during other activities
Taking time off of work to gamble
Spending hours gambling online
Getting angry or depressed if you don't have the money to gamble

Gambling addictions can be very destructive behavior, however, some people do not realize this until it is out of control. Being addicted to gambling has caused people to loose their homes, cars, savings, jobs, and relationships or marriages. Parents have left their children in cars at casinos and forgot about them while gambling. Online gamblers have neglected their home and hygiene.

Recognizing gambling addiction symptoms then taking action to get help breaking the cycle is a step to recovery. There is help for gamblers with addictions.

Identify why you are addicted. Do you gamble for the excitement, because you love the action and competitive rush you get? Or do you gamble to escape reality?

Understand that gambling addictions are compulsions. If you have no control over the urge to gamble, even if it is affecting your life negatively get help. If you continuing to gamble whether it makes you happy, sad, angry, or depressed is a sign that you already are addicted to gambling or you are on your way to becoming addicted to gambling.

There are resources available for gamblers, just like with any other type of addiction.

Every casino has pamphlets with information to help you understand the signs and symptoms of an addiction to gambling, take advantage of that. They usually have posted on the walls 800 numbers that you can call for help.

If you are addicted to online gambling then you have a computer and access to the internet. Do a search for gambling addiction symptoms and help. You will find a great deal of information, from gamblers anonymous to treatment centers, support groups and forums.

The first step is to admit that you have a gambling addiction. Next, decide to change your compulsive behavior and seek professional help to over-come your addiction to gambling.