Gambling Issues   Problem gambling is gambling behavior which causes disruptions in any major area of life: psychological, physical, social or vocational. The term "Problem Gambling" includes, but is not limited to, the condition known as "Pathological", or "Compulsive" Gambling, a progressive addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, "chasing" losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting, serious, negative consequences.   Warning Signs Do you hide the rent or food money because your loved one gambles it away? Is your loved one away from home or unavailable for long periods of time due to gambling? Does your loved one sincerely promise to stop gambling, begging for another chance, then continues to gamble? Have you noticed a personality change in your loved one as the gambling continues? Problem gambling affects the family as a whole, as well as each and every member. It disrupts family life through its negative financial consequences, the deterioration of basic trust between the gambler and other family members, and the loss of the problem gambler's ability to carry out his or her normal family roles and responsibilities. These developments in turn produce social, emotional, and even physical changes in the family's well-being. In adjusting to the impact of gambling addiction, family members may become increasingly isolated from each other and from their community. Family members often need help to recover from the impact of the problem gambler's behaviors as well as support in building a family environment that supports recovery for all family members. For every person with a gambling problem, an average of 10 people are adversely affected by the gambler's behavior. [ Back To Problems Addressed ]