Signs of Gambling Addiction

Hi all!

Last week we delved into the brain science of gambling addiction, today we will talk about the signs we can see in ourselves or our loved ones. The signs that may tell us it's time to reach out for support.

Here is a starting point infographic!

As you can see, gambling addiction can permeate all sections of your life. It affects your thoughts, your mood and emotions, your financial health, your relationships (both because of mood swings but also because of the lying, hiding, and potentially borrowing or stealing behaviours), your work (because of the preoccupation, potentially causing a loss of the income you need to finance the addiction), and the feedback loop of gambling to avoid confronting all of these negative aspects. The preoccupation can affect things like eating and sleeping and maybe even hygiene, meaning it takes away the basics, your support system, and your stability. Gambling addiction can be a big deal.

Have you noticed these warning signs before, and how can you apply these signs to your own life?

Has anything worked in the past to break this cycle, and what does that look like for you?

Next week we will talk about how to confront gambling addiction as well as some coping strategies to prevent relapse. (unless someone has a specific topic they want addressed!)