Topic: Signs of an addiction - page 19. (Read 3602 times)

I confirm the signs you have mentioned and am actually going through few of them, having passed a few during my healing process. It's really a tough journey, who ever says the opposite he is totally wrong. The mood swings were overwhelming and gambling consumed my thoughts and money entirely. I avoided people I loved, buried myself in secrecy with much guilt and couldn’t admit I had a problem until I hit rock bottom, then decided to create a whole topic for that in reputation secrion.
The financial damage and inability to stop were like wake up calls for me, but the emotional damage is still hurting so bad, losing trust, isolating myself. Everything was was just as painful.

Now, I’m focusing on rebuilding my life step by step. Therapy and support groups weren't available in my situation,  but I keep myself busy all the time. Healing isn’t easy but recognizing these patterns and seeking help is the first victory and the right path for anyone, I have also learned a great lesson as a young person.

Inability for us to stop gambling or control ourselves is one of the ways we can know that we have become addicted to gambling. Gambling addiction is a behavior that starts gradually and when we don't try as much as possible to get ride if it, we could suddenly starts enjoying gambling, that for those that are making profits from gambling but for those that don't always, they will be complaining but still don't have the urge to stop. Addiction is one of the disadvantages of being a gambler. We ought to work on ourselves if we want to be a successful gambling. Being disciplined is never easy, that's why we would keep seeing gamblers complaining of not making profit.

Speaking about sign of addiction then it is really that hard to distinguish if you are really that trying to look someone who might be looking fine but in the back they are really that struggling with addiction.
There are really those people who are really that good on hiding up into the things that they are currently dealing with not until on the time or moment that you had that become that addicted
and experiencing life hard situations on which it will really be that become obvious and this is where we can be able to tell their current condition.

Isn't it the reason why those living with addiction seal their mouths and struggle all day? The society do not care about addicts, the problem is said to be theirs to handle. Out of the few who go ahead to open up, a whole lot more suffer in silent. Therapy is great but expensive for some compulsive players to patronize. If consistent care were offered to addicts, many of them would need no therapist. Because close friends help to correct disorders faster and effectively than anybody else.

#3: Denial/Concealment: Most addicts are in denial. They would never admit to having a problem. However they probably subconsciously feel that something is wrong or at least there is something they should not be doing.

If you are hiding your gambling habits from friends or families, you might already know deep down that there is an addiction already.

Beware of these signs and detect gambling addictions early on so that you don’t fall in too deep. What other signs do you think we should be wary of?

It seems to me that when the game is not going well, then someone's advice will not be taken properly. When a series of failures has started, then you think about how to win back what you have lost, and the worst decision at this time will be to rush to make new bets, because in a hurry new mistakes will be made, more does not mean better. You will need to understand this yourself without someone's advice, or even accept the fact that not everyone is capable of winning at bets...

Isn't it the reason why those living with addiction seal their mouths and struggle all day? The society do not care about addicts, the problem is said to be theirs to handle.

Out of the few who go ahead to open up, a whole lot more suffer in silent. Therapy is great but expensive for some compulsive players to patronize. If consistent care were offered to addicts, many of them would need no therapist. Because close friends help to correct disorders faster and effectively than anybody else.

Not all gamblers would have the courage to ask for help, most people prefer to conceal their problems because there is always little to no help you can get from the other party. In most cases, they end up being ridiculed. They would rather prefer the help of a licensed therapist whom would keep their case a secrete until it’s done.

If they have the intention to stop, we can direct them to do other activities that are much more productive and the family can control or supervise the excessive spending activities that they use. Thus, their own intention is also strong to stop and is helped by those closest to them to get out of addiction.

Mood swings are a big sign of gambling addiction I think.  When I was addicted to gambling I wanted to gamble anytime. I used to think at times that gambling is not good for me and it is hurting my financial side a lot. Again I immediately thought of gambling for a while. People who are addicted to gambling will never be able to keep their mood the same. Mood swings will be normal. i agree with this and it also happened with me in past

Most addicted gamblers do experience mood swings frequently. If a gambler places a bet and they end up losing, mostly you will notice there is a change in their behavior they will get angry whenever they los, they are definitely addicted to gambling, because if you are the type that is gambling for fun, then even when you lose, your mood won’t really change.

It is only when they ask for help while in most cases they are often too late as you said so we help them maybe only when they have run out of everything, I also don't really know about what the reason is but what is certain is that it is most likely the difficulty of achieving awareness about gambling that can never be used as a place of income and also about those who will never be able to succeed in returning everything that has been lost, along with the difficulty of accepting the situation that they have lost a lot of money is the biggest trigger for them to continue instead of stopping and letting it all go, not to forget the obsession with winning is also something that clouds the view which indirectly makes it difficult for them to achieve awareness.

We always talk about gambling addiction here in forum but it all seems vague. What are actually signs or symptoms of gambling addiction that you can try and detect from yourself or other people?

#1 Mood swings: It’s normal to feel excitement or disappointment when gambling but extreme emotions due to gambling results that you are unable to shake off is not normal. Additionally, if one is irritable when they can’t gamble, that is probably a sign of gambling addiction already.

#2 Preoccupation/Isolation: If you constantly find yourself obsessing over your past gambling experiences and planning on what or how to do it next, you might have an addiction already. Similarly, if you can’t socialize anymore since you are just thinking about gambling then that is also not normal and should not be happening. One may even purposely avoid their friends and family to gamble or think about gambling.

#3: Denial/Concealment: Most addicts are in denial. They would never admit to having a problem. However they probably subconsciously feel that something is wrong or at least there is something they should not be doing. If you are hiding your gambling habits from friends or families, you might already know deep down that there is an addiction already.

#4 Inability to stop: I can gamble and still stop when I’ve had enough. Gambling addicts might not be able to do that. They will continue gambling and maybe even make up excuses for it such as “I will just take back what I lost” and many more.

#5 Financial issues: Once you start going out of your way to gamble even if you no longer have money, you have some serious addiction going now. Some will sell their belongings and even borrow money if it meant they could gamble.

Beware of these signs and detect gambling addictions early on so that you don’t fall in too deep. What other signs do you think we should be wary of?

#5 Financial issues: Once you start going out of your way to gamble even if you no longer have money, you have some serious addiction going now. Some will sell their belongings and even borrow money if it meant they could gamble.

Beware of these signs and detect gambling addictions early on so that you don’t fall in too deep. What other signs do you think we should be wary of?

It is only when they ask for help while in most cases they are often too late as you said so we help them maybe only when they have run out of everything, I also don't really know about what the reason is but what is certain is that it is most likely the difficulty of achieving awareness about gambling that can never be used as a place of income and also about those who will never be able to succeed in returning everything that has been lost, along with the difficulty of accepting the situation that they have lost a lot of money is the biggest trigger for them to continue instead of stopping and letting it all go, not to forget the obsession with winning is also something that clouds the view which indirectly makes it difficult for them to achieve awareness.

That's exactly the point. If someone cries out for help, then you can possibly guide them if you have solution to their issues but If you don't, then you can refer them to something that can help them. I just don't know why some people doesn't realize it until it's too late.