A gambling addiction can wreak havoc on the life of the addict and the people they are close to. When a person is addicted to gambling, their behavior can change so drastically that it becomes unrecognizable, to themselves and their loved ones. The best way to end an addiction to gambling is by identifying the signs of the addiction and seeking help for them.

A gambling addiction can look different from person to person, but there are some general commonalities that can be drawn between gambling addictions that serve as warning signs, such as:

• Missing school or work because of gambling
• Turning to gambling to cope with difficult situations, or to celebrate positive situations
• Engaging, or considering to engage, in criminal activities in order to finance gambling
• Gambling for longer periods of time than intended
• Budgeting funds carefully around gambling
• Borrowing money in order to finance gambling
• The urge to gamble is insatiable, even after a win
• Lowered sense of responsibility and ambition due to gambling
• Feelings of remorse or sadness after gambling
• Reputation damaged due to gambling
• Considering self harm or destruction because of gambling
• Using gambling as a means of obtaining income
• Obsessing about how to make up for gambling losses
• Emptying bank accounts in order to continue gambling
• Selling personal possessions in order to finance gambling
• Not caring about personal well-being or the well-being of loved ones due to gambling
• Losing sleep over thoughts of gambling
• Feelings of unhappiness at home due to gambling