For the vast majority of people, visiting a casino is a harmless, entertaining form of recreational activity.
A person suffering from a gambling disorder can easily hide their struggle behind a smile and a seemingly normal daily routine.
The Behavioral Warning Signs
You may notice them becoming incredibly irritable, restless, or angry when they attempt to cut down or stop gambling entirely.
A major red flag is 'chasing losses'—returning to the casino the very next day to aggressively try and win back money lost the night before.
A severe addict will continue to gamble despite acknowledging that it is actively destroying their life and relationshipsThey may experience intense mood swings, oscillating wildly between euphoria after a win and deep depression after a lossThe need to experience the exact same 'thrill' requires them to constantly increase the size of their bets over time
How to Find Help for Gambling Addiction
The financial warning signs are usually the hardest to ignore, starting with unexplained, massive cash withdrawals from joint accounts.
Gambling addiction is a recognized psychiatric disorder, and it requires targeted therapy and support groups to successfully overcome.
Action PlanImmediate StepLong-Term StrategyFor the AddictCall the National Problem Gambling HelplineRegister for self-exclusion programs at all casinosFor the FamilySecure all joint bank accounts immediatelyAttend Gam-Anon support groups for families
Remember, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help; overcoming the addiction is entirely possible with the right support.
