We always talk about gambling addiction here in forum but it all seems vague. What are actually signs or symptoms of gambling addiction that you can try and detect from yourself or other people?

#1 Mood swings: It’s normal to feel excitement or disappointment when gambling but extreme emotions due to gambling results that you are unable to shake off is not normal. Additionally, if one is irritable when they can’t gamble, that is probably a sign of gambling addiction already.

#2 Preoccupation/Isolation: If you constantly find yourself obsessing over your past gambling experiences and planning on what or how to do it next, you might have an addiction already. Similarly, if you can’t socialize anymore since you are just thinking about gambling then that is also not normal and should not be happening. One may even purposely avoid their friends and family to gamble or think about gambling.

#3: Denial/Concealment: Most addicts are in denial. They would never admit to having a problem. However they probably subconsciously feel that something is wrong or at least there is something they should not be doing. If you are hiding your gambling habits from friends or families, you might already know deep down that there is an addiction already.

#4 Inability to stop: I can gamble and still stop when I’ve had enough. Gambling addicts might not be able to do that. They will continue gambling and maybe even make up excuses for it such as “I will just take back what I lost” and many more.

#5 Financial issues: Once you start going out of your way to gamble even if you no longer have money, you have some serious addiction going now. Some will sell their belongings and even borrow money if it meant they could gamble.

Beware of these signs and detect gambling addictions early on so that you don’t fall in too deep. What other signs do you think we should be wary of?