If you gamble on sports, poker, slots, scratch cards or roulette and it is interfering with work, relationships and finances, then chances are you may have a gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is a kind of impulse control condition. Compulsive gamblers cannot stop gambling, even when they are aware their gambling is affecting themselves and those around them. Gambling is all that they think about and all they want to do. Compulsive gamblers will gamble whether they’re happy or sad or broke or have money in the bank. Problem gamblers have a problem gambling but it is not out of control like those who have the gambling addiction.
Gambling addiction is often known as a hidden illness because there are no physical signs like there are with someone who has a drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers will often deny or try and minimize their gambling problem. They will also go to whatever lengths possible to hide their problem such as withdrawing from family members and friends, sneaking around and lying about their whereabouts.
Treatment for problem gambling will vary from person to person because what works for one person will not necessarily work for someone else. The first step that you need to take is to realize that you have a problem. You do not want to try and tackle the problem alone because this rarely works. Gamblers Anonymous is a 12 step program that is basically like Alcoholics Anonymous. You want to choose a sponsor as soon as you can. Your sponsor will likely be a former gambler who has been in the program for several years and has remained addiction free.