Gambling is an activity in which an individual places a bet on the outcome of a game or event. The gambler may experience various emotions, such as a need for money, the desire to attain social status, or an urge to win a prize. The gambler’s actions are often accompanied by deception and lies.
Problem gamblers may have other disorders
Problem gamblers are more likely to suffer from mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety. Studies have found that two out of three problem gamblers experience mental health problems related to their addiction. Problem gamblers may also experience mood and personality disorders. These individuals may also experience financial problems, including cashing in college funds and retirement funds. As a result, they may also cash in savings accounts and obtain additional credit cards. The effects of these behaviors may also leave problem gamblers feeling hopeless and worthless.
Treatment of problem gambling is aimed at alleviating the associated health problems. Cognitive behavioral therapy and family therapy can help individuals overcome their compulsive gambling. Certain types of medications may also help, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizers.
They may feel desperate for money
Gambling addiction often leads to extreme financial and emotional distress. A person with an addiction to gambling may feel desperate for money, borrow money, or sell things in order to afford the gambling habit. Sometimes they even lose significant relationships or even careers. When their finances are dire, they turn to other people for help, and even ask others for money.
Unfortunately, the addiction can be so severe that problem gamblers will sometimes resort to crime or theft to pay off debts. They may even lie to family and friends to get more money. In extreme cases, a gambler may feel hopeless, and they may suffer from extreme depression and anxiety.
They may seek social status
Problem gamblers tend to be male, with a mean age of 37 years and a variety of marital statuses. The most common marital status was never married, followed by married and de facto/living with another person. More than half of all problem gamblers lived with others, and most were employed full-time or had completed some type of tertiary study. Moreover, most problem gamblers were born in Australia.
Gambling may give problem gamblers a sense of social status. Often, addicted gamblers feel desperate for money and want to attain the social status of successful gamblers. They may also suffer from other mood and behavior disorders.
They may lie to their spouse about their gambling
If your spouse is involved in gambling, it’s important to know how to tell if they’re lying to you. There are signs to watch for, including frequent withdrawals from their savings and checking accounts without your knowledge. Your spouse may also be secretive about their money and seem always short of cash. If you think this is happening to your spouse, consider seeking professional help.
Gambling debt can be devastating to a marriage. Not only does it cause tension and a stressful emotional situation, but it also puts the couple in a vulnerable financial position. Gambling is considered wasteful spending and a dissipation of assets. Check bank and investment account statements, credit card statements, mortgage statements, credit line statements, and property deeds to find out how much the spouse has been spending on gambling.