Signs of Gambling Addiction How to Spot the Symptoms Early

October 3, 2025
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10 Signs You Have a Gambling Addiction

If gambling is affecting your finances, relationships, or peace of mind, support is available. Access to effective treatment, like gambling rehab in Pennsylvania, can help you rebuild structure and stability before things worsen. Recovery from gambling addiction begins by addressing the root causes, not just the behavior. Whether the trigger is stress or another mental health challenge, support can help you break the cycle and replace gambling with healthier, lasting ways to cope. As gambling becomes more frequent, the urge to bet larger amounts often grows.

Psychological Withdrawal When NOT Gambling

  • What was once an occasional hobby may turn into an all-consuming activity, leaving little room for other interests, relationships, or personal care.
  • It’s hard to forget the surge of adrenaline and the thrill of taking a risky bet and watching it pay off.
  • Recognizing the signs of gambling addiction, understanding its impacts, and seeking appropriate help are crucial steps in addressing and overcoming this issue.
  • Kids and teens may gamble in-person during card games with friends, at arcades, or online.
  • Most treatment for problem gambling involves counseling, step-based programs, self-help, peer-support, medication, or a combination of these.

You might also find it helpful to speak with a therapist, problem gambling counselor, or doctor specializing in addiction recovery. “Allowing them to endure consequences for their choices can sometimes be one of the most meaningful ways of showing love, although it’s hard to watch,” he says. Gambling disorder can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on how many symptoms a person has.

Neglecting Work or Family Obligations

Compulsive thoughts about gambling or gambling obsessively to a point in which it causes other problems in your life are just a few of the common signs of gambling addiction. A former lawyer, Levant was convicted in 2015 for stealing clients’ money to fund his betting habit. Since then, he has not only become an advocate for stronger regulations, but is a trained addiction therapist. When gambling is just one click away, it’s easy to fall into old patterns. Reducing your access to online gambling can create momentum that helps break automatic behaviors to help you give up gambling. Putting distance between yourself and the urge to gamble gives you the space you need to make more intentional choices.

I had some money from the sale of a property, and I thought I should try to invest it. I thought there was no point in the money just sitting in a bank. It will also be good for the person recovering from addiction to hear how other people have healed and coped. The sooner someone can get help, the better their chances of minimizing the long-term consequences of this addiction. Ongoing therapy and support group participation are vital for maintaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Gambling Addiction Signs

It’s common for gambling addicts to face divorce, breakups, or estrangement from friends and family. Addicts can also endanger relationships with colleagues, mentors, and coworkers, losing important employment or educational opportunities in the process. He notes that these consequences can negatively affect a person’s work, relationships, or psychological well-being. And problem gamblers often feel ashamed about their habits, even as they continue to gamble. The next step after identifying a gambling disorder is to get the support you or your loved one needs.

This is one of many commonly overlooked signs of gambling addiction that people to mistake for some other problem. Gambling to mask problems, feel happy, or otherwise improve your emotions is a sure sign that there is a bigger problem at hand. It may be difficult to recognize the signs of gambling addiction for one reason or another. According to the US National Library of Medicine, chronic gamblers often lead seemingly normal lives, but in the background there is a serious problem at hand.

The emotional rollercoaster experienced during gambling—ranging from excitement to disappointment and worry—can cause high blood pressure. This condition, if untreated, may result in long-term health risks, such as heart disease or stroke. New Horizons Recovery Centers offers personalized care grounded in understanding and evidence-based methods. Whether you’re ready to take online digital gaming portal action or just need to talk, our team is here to support your next step forward.