The American Psychiatric Association has listed out some signs and symptoms of gambling addiction. Typed below is a simple summary of the list. Read the checklist and if you, or anyone else ticks off the conditions, then the symptoms speak for themselves. If the person admits to at least four conditions, then that person is a habitual, pathological gambler. That person should seek professional help.
These are signs and symptoms of gambling addiction:
- A gambling addict spends time, money, resources gambling and continues this cycle.
- The addict raises the stakes higher and higher to feel high.
- The addict has tried to reduce their gambling, or control their quantity of gambling but has failed.
- The addicted gambler feels restless when they try to reduce or stop their gambling habit.
- The addict indulges in this hobby to avoid facing problems, anxiety, guilty feelings or depression.
- The addict is stubborn and insists to gamble more to win back lost money.
- The addict tells lies to other people, to hide the extent of their problem.
- The addict does illegal acts to obtain money to gamble. He also forces other people around him to give him money for gambling.
- The addict eventually loses his stability as his relationships, education, or job are all affected and jeopardized because of gambling.
I’m going to discuss the old, common and popular 12 Step Program that is used by Alcoholic Anonymous, as well as other groups counseling other disorders. The addict has to think about their problem and make resolutions to change. The person should meditate to build up concentration and will power to change.
12 Step Program
Step 1 – The person admits s/he has lost self-control over their addiction
Step 2 – The addict must have faith that a greater power can help them overcome this problem.
Step 3 – The addict must surrender their will power and life to God.
Step 4 – The addict must do a self-examination on their morals.
Step 5 – The addict must admit their wrongs, by self-confession to themself, to God and a fellow human.
Step 6 – Ask God to help remove the moral wrongs which made them fall into this disorder.
Step 7 – Ask God for help to remove one’s character weaknesses.
Step 8 – Please write a list of all people who have been harmed by the addict, and make amends directly to them.
Step 9 – As far as possible, direct rectifications must be made to the people harmed, except in cases where direct rectification will harm the receivers.
Step 10 – Examine one’s conscience. If one has done wrong, one admit it and make amends
Step. 11 – Pray and meditate to know God’s Will for you. Then pray for your ability to stop gambling and its addiction.
Step 12 – Pray for help to spread the message of God’s forgiveness and power for the addicted to continue to observe these principles in all areas of their life.
There are variations of this 12 Step Program. People can join groups run by professional organizations, consult their physician, therapist, counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Other than personal preferences, choosing a helper also depends greatly on the costs involved.
How to use the 12 Step Program to handle, manage and cope with other addictions? This program is a general one which can be tailored (customized) to handle other addictions. Just follow the 12 Steps.