What is problem gambling?

While losing money is the most obvious issue due to problem gambling it isn’t the only harm that someone can experience due to gambling. The desire to win and chasing losses can cause financial strain leading the person to gamble more than they planned. For the problem gambler there are many more indicators.

Signs Your Gambling is a Problem
•Being preoccupied with gambling
•Planning how to get money to gamble
•Gambling with increasing amounts of money
•Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling
•Feeling irritable when you try to cut down or can’t gamble.
•Gambling to escape problems.
•Gambling to relieve or manage feelings
•Chasing losses to win back money.
•Lying to family and friends about your gambling.
•Stealing or fraud to get money to gamble.
•Loss of relationships/education/work opportunities because of gambling.

What can you do if you think your gambling is becoming a problem?

If you are concerned about your gambling it is important to have a look at what’s going on for you. Recognising the signs is the first step and the best way to find out is to complete an assessment. This usually involves completing a questionnaire with a counsellor where you also discuss the questions as you go along. The questions focus on your history of gambling, how and when it started, how it has progressed and impacted on your life.

An assessment can either diagnose or rule out if addiction is present. Maybe you need to be more aware of why you gamble and what your triggers are, maybe you need to look at reducing the harm caused by your gambling. An assessment will also gather information on your mental and physical well-being and how it is being affected. 

From your assessment I will develop a treatment plan and discuss options and recommendations with you. (It’s important to know you have options no matter how bad things have become) Often just knowing your diagnosis is a start to making changes in your life.

As a trained addiction counsellor I can help you.  Phone me on 087 6402715 or email me HERE