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Gambling, like many other things, can become
an addiction. Unfortunately, it is often difficult
for a person who is addicted to something to
realize that they have a problem. Here are some
guidelines to help you recognize if you or someone
you know has a gambling problem.
There are twenty questions that Gamblers Anonymous
recommends asking yourself or the person you
suspect may have a gambling problem. If the
answer is yes to seven or more of these questions,
then it is likely that you have a gambling problem.
Here are the questions.
1) Have you ever missed work or school because
you were gambling?
2) Have you ever experienced unhappiness at
home because of your gambling?
3) Has your reputation changed as a result of
your gambling?
4) Have you ever regretted gambling?
5) Have you ever gambled in an effort to earn
money to pay your debts or solve financial problems?
6) Have you experienced lowered ambition of
efficiency due to gambling?
7) Do you feel that you must return to the casino
as soon as possible after you lose in order
to win your money back?
8) Do you feel a strong urge to return to the
casino to win more after you have won?
9) Do you gamble until all of your money is
gone?
10) Have you ever borrowed money to gamble with?
11) Have you ever sold your possessions to have
money to gamble with?
12) Do you find it difficult to use your gambling
money to pay for other things?
13) Have you neglected yourself or your family
because of your gambling?
14) Have you ever gambled for longer than you
intended to?
15) Have you ever gambled to deal with negative
emotions, such as worry or loneliness?
16) Have you ever done anything illegal to come
up with money for gambling?
17) Have you lost sleep due to gambling?
18) Do you have an urge to gamble when you experience
arguments, frustrations or disappointments?
19) Do you ever have an urge to celebrate something
good that happens by gambling?
20) Have you ever thought about killing yourself
as a result of gambling?
If you have a gambling problem, you need to
get help. You might think that since we sell
gambling products on this site, we wouldn’t
care that you have a gambling problem. However,
that is not true.
Gambling is first and foremost a form of entertainment.
It should be fun. It you are spending so much
money gambling that you are not taking care
of your own needs or those of your family, then
you are not having fun. You are on a path of
self-destruction that leads to stress and financial
ruin. We don’t want you to buy our products
if they will lead to your destruction. We want
you to get help.
Gambling can be a lot of fun, and sometimes
even profitable if done responsibly. That means
setting limits, and only gambling with money
you don’t need and won’t be upset
about losing. Never use the money you need for
your bills to gamble with. You should only use
your ‘extra’ money, that is, money
that you really don’t need for anything
and won’t miss if it is lost.
It takes discipline to set limits for your
gambling, but it is necessary. You can have
a great time gambling at the casino if you are
able to stick to your limits. If you can’t
stick to your limits, then you should stay away
from the casino and find another way to entertain
yourself. |
