Learn How to Detect a Compulsive Gambler - Free Obsessive Gambling Tips

Basically, a compulsive gambler is a person who is not able to resist the urge to gamble. Such compulsiveness leads to severe personal and social consequence, and the desire to gamble becomes so difficult to control that stress can only be reduced by gambling more.

Here is the list of compulsive gambler basic characteristic:

1. Walks, Talks and Breathes Gambling.

First of all, compulsive gambler preoccupies himself with gambling as well as with telling the stories devoted to previous experiences and discussing with anybody willing to listen his new schemes or next winning strategy.

2. More, More and More.

As time goes by, compulsive gambler gets involved in gambling more and more money. Usually the reason for gambling is desire to experience increased thrill or excitement and the time spent on gambling, as a rule, lasts longer than planned.

3. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop.

Compulsive gambler tends to get unable to control the gambling process which results in irritability and restlessness when attempting to cut back or stop altogether. Unfortunately, gambling is a way of escaping or relieving one’s problems.

4. Lies, Lies and More Lies.

Compulsive gambler starts lying to his family and friends in order to hide this addiction and denies having any problems when confronted. Such people become angry if the issue is pursued and lies become their second nature.

5. Show Me the Money. 

Compulsive gambler gets dependent on others’ help in dire financial situations and often borrows from family and friends to support this increasingly worsening problem. Thus, mortgages and loans are refinanced. Life insurance is cashed in, as well as 401k. In this issue the gambler may then start committing fraud and theft to finance gambling.

6. Self Destruction

Each gambler finds himself in the situation when his career is jeopardized and relationships with beloved people and friends are ending. There is a tremendous amount of shame and remorse felt after gambling, and, as a result, person addicted to gambling may consider or even attempt suicide due to extreme helplessness of situation.

7. Losing Control.

A shift in personality often happens to the compulsive gambler who starts being manipulative, irritable, argumentative, critical, and uncontrolled. Consequently, loss of interest in regular activities and hobbies becomes unavoidable. Such people are inclined to make poor excuses and evade questions of their whereabouts as well as withdraw from best friend and family. And gambling is considered to be the only way to cope and deal with his problems.

8. No Sense of Time.

As a fact, need in gabling arises in necessity to celebrate joyful or tragic events including even holidays. 

One should remember that prevention of gambling will not always be helpful. Counseling may help people who are more prone to compulsive gambling, and those who have relatives addicted to compulsive gambling might be at risk and should be especially wary.