Problem Gambling
Has Gambling Become a Problem?
Gambling Disorder, previously known as Pathological Gambling, was once thought to be an impulse control issue. While many gamblers can certainly be impulsive, there is more to problem gambling than this one characteristic. Through further study, researchers found what the families of gamblers knew intuitively for a long time – that chronic problem gambling is a behavioral addiction. Today, Gambling Disorder is listed as a Substance-Related and Addictive Disorder in the DSM 5. It is also one of the fastest growing addictions among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and college age students.
Gambling addicts have many of the same characteristics as alcoholics and drug addicts, such as:
- The need to gamble greater amounts of money to get the same excitement.
- Feeling very restless or irritable when they try stop gambling.
- Making many unsuccessful attempts to manage, slow or stop their gambling.
- Risking or losing relationships, their job or their future to gamble.
These are just a few of the criteria that might cause significant distress in a gambler’s life and prompt an assessment by a licensed professional.
We serve individuals who are ready to break the hold of addictive and compulsive behaviors.
We serve the partners and loved ones of those addicted, helping them find their voices and reclaim their lives.
We serve the couples and families harmed by addiction and betrayal discover new ways to live in freedom and intimacy.
Do I Have a Gambling Problem?
Brief Biosocial Gambling Screening (BBGS) Questionnaire
- During the past 12 months, have you become restless, irritable or anxious when you try to stop/cut down on gambling?
- During the past 12 months, have you tried to keep your family or friends from knowing how much you gambled?
- During the past 12 months, did you have such financial troubles as a result of your gambling that you had to get help with living expenses from family, friends or welfare?
The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) is a scientifically validated self-test to help people decide if they need to seek a formal evaluation for Gambling Disorder. If you answered Yes to one or more questions on the BBGS, please consider contacting us for additional evaluation with Carol Ann Maner, LCSW-S, CSAT, CMAT, ICGC-I.