Gambling - Signs & Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of gambling addiction?

The American Psychological Association reports ten diagnostic criteria, for determining the extent of gambling addiction. These criteria are:

Preoccupation - Preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
Tolerance - Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
Withdrawal - Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
Escape - Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression)
Chasing - After losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing one's losses"). Chasing is a classical behavior pattern characterizing pathological gambling.
Lying - Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
Illegal Acts - Has committed illegal acts (e.g., forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement) in order to finance gambling
Risked Significant Relationship - Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
Bailout - Has relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
Loss of Control - Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling

Five or more of these signs = pathological gambler
Three or four = problem gambler
One or two = "at risk" gambler

* Provided by Helpguide.org