Americans spend more on gambling than all other recreation combined. For most, it’s a fun diversion but for a few, gambling can become a serious, life-altering problem. Over 85% of adults nationwide have tried gambling at least once in their lives and 80% in the past year.
Problem gambling is behavior that causes disruptions in any major area of a person’s life. It is estimated that as many as six to nine million Americans are compulsive gamblers. The cost to business and industry has been estimated at $75 billion a year due to absenteeism, wasted time, theft and poor work performance.
Would you recognize a gambling problem in someone you know? The National Council on Gambling has developed the following questions to help individuals identify whether they or a friend or family member has a problem with gambling. Answering yea to any of the following questions may indicate that gambling has become problematic.
1-Have you gambled until your last dollar is gone?
2-Have you often gambled longer than you had planned?
3-Have you lied about your gambling to friends or family?
4-Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
5-Have you made repeated attempts to stop gambling?
6-have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to get money to gamble?
7-Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
8-Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses?
9-Have you been remorseful after gambling?
10-Have you gambled to try to get money to meet your financial obligations?
“Problem gambling is not a bad habit or a moral weakness. It’s a serious condition that responds well to treatment. Anyone can develop a problem with gambling. It can affect men, women, adolescents and the elderly. Some risk factors, individually or in combination, might make a person more vulnerable: A stressful life event such as the death of a loved one, divorce, job loss or an injury/disability. A pre-existing mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or alcoholism. A family history of addictions such as alcoholism, compulsive gambling or drug addiction.
Please join the Steuben Council on Addictions in promoting March 7-13 National Awareness Gambling Week. For more information contact the Steuben Council on Addictions at 776-6441.
James M. Bassage
Prevention Director
Steuben Council on Addictions
