Many people find it difficult to accept who they are and the bad habits that they have, accepting a habit is the first step that will determine if any help offered to you will work. As a gambler, will you find it offensive if you are referred to as a gambling addict? will you easily accept it or try to give excuses like some other people do, saying that they are not addicted to gambling when the signs are clearly there. Do you think identifying as an addicted gambler will make people stereotype you. The answer is different for every gambler here.
I would only be offended if that was true and i would be in denial about it. I don't see word "addict" offensive and since i know myself i know when i am addicted. I am addicted to many things in life and most of them are good for me. I still call them addictions because i couldn't quit them if i wanted.
I am sort of addicted to gambling as well but it's in control. I am not spending more money then i should and i am having more fun then having regrets. I think sometimes people need to hear truth from their friends about addiction, no matter if it hurts them or not. Being in denial is the worst.