Concerned About Gambling
Recently, gambling among college students has grown more popular. Gambling comes in many different forms. The easiest forms of gambling to identify are casinos, lottery tickets and racetracks. However most students do not think about a Friday night Poker game or other card games as gambling. What about other games of skill such as video or board games, the stock market, professional or fantasy sports or internet games that involve using a credit card? When does gambling go from “fun” to “problematic”?
Whenever you risk an item of value in the hope of winning something greater in value, it’s gambling.
As in any activity, many people can and do gamble safely; knowing their limits, never wagering more than they want to or can lose and look at gambling as a form of entertainment. People that gamble for “entertainment” do not have an emotional bond with the hope of winning.
Recognizing problem gambling is often difficult. Described as the “hidden disorder”, gambling usually does not leave telltale signs. However, if one of the signs listed below is present, it is enough for concern:
- Skipping class or work
- Negative changes in attitude or behavior
- Depression
- Dropped grades
- Separation from friends
- Being secretive or preoccupied with gambling; problems with finances
- Gambling has affected your reputation with others
- Feeling remorse after gambling
- Gambling to pay debts or solve other financial issues
- After losing needing to gamble as soon as possible believing you have to win back losses
- After a win having a strong urge to return and win more
- Gambling until your last dollar is gone
- Borrow money to finance your gambling
- Sold things to finance a debt or to finance the gambling itself
- Reluctant to use money for needs in order to save your money for gambling
- Gambling is replacing other activities you used to do for fun, and taking more of your time
What Motivates a Person to Gamble?
- Chance to win money
- Excitement of placing a bet
- Spend time with friends
- Distraction from everyday life
- Think it’s a fast and easy way to get rich
- To fit in or be accepted
- The rush of winning
- To feel important
According to the American Psychiatric Association problem gambling is behavior that disrupts any major area of life: psychological, physical, social, or vocational. It is a progressive addiction marked by preoccupation, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting serious consequences.
Concerned About Your Gambling or Someone Else’s?
These Warning Signs May Help Clarify Your Concerns:
- An inability to stop once you start gambling
- Setting ‘loss limits’ for the day and then routinely exceeding the limits
- Borrowing money to pay gambling debts
- Lying to friends and/or family about gambling frequency or the extent of losses
- Neglecting other responsibilities such as school due to a preoccupation with gambling
- Constant self worry about your gambling
- Consistently feeling the need for the “gambling rush”
If several of these signs sound familiar, you may want to discuss your concerns further with a counselor at the University Counseling Center or contact the Office of Alcohol and Drug Education
Other Resources:
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.ncgambling.org
www.problemgambling.com