Success Stories
Sloan’s Story
Hi, my name is Sloan and I’m a compulsive gambler. The first time I visited a casino was in September 2011 and I was instantly hooked. It did...
Randy’s Story
I had been actively gambling nearly all of my adult life, a period spanning more than 30 years. It started with some bets at the racetrack in my...
Derek’s Story
After 12 years of being a compulsive gambler and many attempts to quit, I made a call to Lutheran Social Services Gamblers Choice. At the age of 28,...
Know the Signs
Sign #1- You’re secretive about your gambling.
You don’t feel the need to share your gambling habit. You will lie about the amount of money you may have lost, or the time spent gambling. Your goal is to let those around you know about your big wins, which seem to come less and less often.
Sign #2- You have trouble controlling your gambling.
When you are gambling, you are in a trance, and the rest of the world, including your friends and family, take a back seat to your gambling habit. Time slips by...and the amount of time you spend gambling increases. You are driven to gamble until you win back what you have lost.
Sign #3- You gamble when you don’t have the money.
When the last dollar is gone, you look for more: in credit cards, money meant for other family expenses. You beg, borrow or even steal the necessary money to feed your gambling addiction. You invent lies to get money from your children or friends. But there is never enough.
Sign #4- Your family and friends have expressed they’re worried about you.
They are worried because you have changed. You were once a very reliable part of the family, now your time is taken up by gambling. They are worried because they think you are driven to gamble, and they are right. Like you, they do not have an answer for your gambling addiction.
Think you might have a gambling problem?
Take this quiz to find out.
Does someone you know have a gambling problem?
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Two Types of Problem Gamblers
Compulsive gamblers fall into two main types—action and escape gamblers. 1. Action gamblers tend to appear egotistical, controlling, successful, and outgoing....
Gambling Disorder vs. Substance Use Disorder
Differences and Similarities Both chemical dependency and pathological gambling are disorders resulting in negative consequences for the person and almost...
