Gambling Addiction

Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive or pathologic gambling, is the uncontrollable urge to gamble incessantly despite a desire to stop and the negative impact it has on your life. Gambling addition is an impulse-control disorder and people suffering from it usually aren’t able to quit without help. It is possible to have a problem with gambling, even if you aren’t completely out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling that affects your life.

Signs you may have a gambling problem or addiction include a preoccupation with gambling, hiding or lying about your gambling, stealing or borrowing money to gamble, missing work or other life events to gamble, feeling guilty after you gamble, gambling with increasingly large stakes, and feelings of restlessness or anger when not gambling. Whether you think you might have a problem with gambling or a gambling addition, a mental health professional can help you get a handle on it and work with you to make positive changes.