Gambling Problem Signs
Gambling disorder is progressively addictive behavior that causes disruptions to any area of life: psychological, physical, vocational, or social. A person with gambling disorder, also known as problem gambling, has an increasing preoccupation with gambling. This can lead to adverse consequences for the individual, others, and their community.
Signs of a Gambling Disorder:
A person shows signs of gambling disorder if they:
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- Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the desired excitement
- Exhibit restless or irritable behavior when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
- Are often preoccupied with thoughts about gambling
- Often gamble when feeling distress
- Chase one’s losses/returns another day to get even
- Lie to conceal the extent of gambling
- Jeopardize a significant relationship, job or opportunity because of gambling
- Spend more time than usual on their phone or computer
- Rely on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling
Disordered gambling rate:
Research estimates that approximately 2% (83,200-135,100) of the Massachusetts adult population has a gambling disorder.
At-risk gambling rate:
Research estimates that approximately 8.4% (389,700-488,500) of Massachusetts adults are at-risk gamblers, demonstrating gambling behaviors that put them at risk of developing a gambling disorder.