Recognising an addiction to gambling

All types of addiction can drastically change someone’s life. Whether one is a drug addict or addicted to alcohol, it consumes your life in all possible ways. Gambling is an addiction that is just as bad as well as dangerous. Not as life threatening as drug or alcohol addictions but it can be in situations where you get involved with the wrong people or in debt so deep that you become a wanted person. You can loose everything you own by this addiction and not only things of monetary value but you could end up loosing your family and friends.

Gambling is a huge addiction but how does one recognise the signs that a family member or friend is a compulsive gambler. The first indication of a gambler is detected by looking at their work patterns. If the person is always absent from work then one should be concerned. This of course is absenteeism on a regular basis and would be somewhere between three or more days a week.

The next sign of a gambling addiction is a loss of social interest. If the person you suspect of such an addiction often withdraws him or herself from family or friends then you should know that something’s up.

Another major sign is whether this person always borrows money either by you or by other people. This is a big indication of a gambling addiction. Also take note of periods where the person has loads of money all of a sudden but cannot explain where all the money comes from.