Signs of compulsive gambling indicate that the individual has a serious problem, and detecting these signs can be crucial to getting the person gambling the help that they need. Usually there are four big phases to a gambling addiction, and each person may spend a different time in each phase or even skip a phase at times. The first phase is winning, and the individual may win frequently or win big, and this just reinforces the views of the gambler. Sometimes compulsive gambling does not include a big win phases and the individual skips directly to phase two. The next phase is losing, and it is followed by desperation and then hopelessness. Once the final stage of compulsive gambling is reached the individual may consider suicide or other unacceptable options, and help is essential.
Signs of compulsive gambling that friends and family should look for include:
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A constant need for money, financial difficulties, and frequent problems paying monthly bills and expenses.
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Gambling becomes a constant preoccupation, and the individual will do almost anything to get a chance to gamble one more time.
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A considerable time is spent on gambling activities or in casinos.
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The gambler tries to cut back or stop and they experience incredible difficulty in doing this.
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Gambling losses affect the daily life and household for the entire family.
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The individual will lie about why money is needed, or steal from friends and loved ones in order to get money to gamble with.
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The individual continuously believes that they are just one gamble away from a big win which will solve everything.
