This has been a question of mine for many years. I've gone in and out of casinos and have come close to lossing everything - but I always seem to be able to pick myself back up and get out of the nightmare... At what point would or should I consider myself addicted? The only information I have found that is "somewhat" useful, is the following list I've found on other sites, which I've tried to answer for myself. If anyone has any thoughts or ideas on what I should do next, please let me know!

Did you ever lose time from work due to gambling? (yes)
Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? (no)
Did gambling affect your reputation? (no)
Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? (no, usually very good, especially when I win)
Did you ever gamble to get money in which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties? (no)
Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? (no)
After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your losses? (of course!)
After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more? (no, go home and spend it)
Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone? (yes)
Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling? (no)
Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling? (yes)
Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures? (no)
Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family? (no)
Did you ever gamble longer than you planned? (yes)
Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble? (no)
Have you ever committed, or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling? (no)
Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? (no)
Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble? (no)
Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling? (no)

Am I addicted???

Yours Truely,
Mr. Possibly Addicted to Gambling

i dont think your addicted to gambling i think you just really enjoy it. but if you keep doing it alot then you may become addicted to it. just be really careful

You're right... I really do enjoy it (when I have the money) :) But luckily I don't live near Vegas. There are some Indian Casino's around here, but that's is pretty normal all over Florida.

I have to admit though, that ever since the new laws took effect where we can't gamble online anymore, it really helped me. I used to gamble for hours every night. Sometimes winning - sometimes loosing. My co-worker's could start to tell when I had lost the night before. Things are seeming to get better now though.

I think addiction does not begin as such. My story is just like yours. I wasn't harming anyone. My home life wasn't suffering. I had it under control. Note. I wrote down "had". Now, it is totally out of control. I am constantly thinking of ways to get money so I can go play. I win, sometimes; but, instead of stopping while I am ahead, I go and gamble my winnings and lose it all.

I would say be careful; or you will end up like me. My wife is threatening to leave me!

I am addicted to online casinos right now. I feel I need to get rid of this addiction or it may move into bigger problems.

Golfer, sounds like you have your gambling under control so far. How long have you been gambling, may I ask?

if you are a christian remember to be thankful with the money God has given you. be happy that He has given you a job and money to survive. why would you want to blow it? there is a verse in the Bible about things that wont get you into heaven. let me know if you want to hear it.

Blondecali, it's true there are places in the bible about bible; but there are places in the bible about being a christian and avoiding judgement. You shouldn't be so complacent. A person admits their problem they already have humbled themselves.You, by using the bible, should be supportive and encouraging. I don't believe the bible was ever meant to put other's down. It's the Word of God and remember Jesus when others brought the women caught in adultery. .He didn't raise a stone to kill this guilty soul..He reached out ..picked he up from the dust..and helped her on her way. ..If you know your bible ..use it to encourage others..not condemn them.

you have no clue of what my intentions are and the tone of voice i was using while writing that. i wasnt putting him down but simple asking if he was a christian because maybe reading some scripture would help. you need to read your bible to know how to handle situations in life. i wasnt be rude about it, but thanks!

Hi Golf Jumper...my name is Terry K and I am a recovering compulsive gambler. As with many other compulsive gamblers, I never thought I had a gambling problem until gambling crept into my life unnoticed and destroyed everything I knew. I went from being a community leader, successful career salesman, political activist, and good family man to being a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Addictive gambling enable me to give away everything I had put together in my life. My family, my success, my reputation, and finally, my freedom. My "rock bottom" happened as I was being led away from my home in handcuffs in front of family, friends, and neighbors after being arrested on 10 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses to support a compulsive gambling habit. I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel but I just couldn't see how to get there yet. After 3 1/2 years in the court system, I was sentenced to 5 years to serve on home confinement. Now this is where I shout the benefits of never giving up when it seems the darkest. While on home confinement I was forced to account for all of my activity on a weekly, then monthly basis. I was in debt for well over $250,000 so I used my compulsive behaviors to help me work 10-12 hours a day to pay back those I hurt financially. Over the course of the first year on home confinement, the fog of my addiction began to lift. I focused on higher goals for myself and those who cared about me. I've written a book and a screenplay about my experiences. I met another compulsive gambler who is a career registered nurse while attending a weekly 12 step fellowship (GA) and we talked about starting a nursing uniform manufacturing business together. After 2 years of discussion, we incorporated and rented 3000 square feet of mill space. Today we have grown to 7 employees servicing many major professional and institutional accounts. All of this while on home confinement. On March 12, 2007 the State released me and I went to bed that night a free man. So no matter how desperate you may feel about your situation, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and as for me, today I'm standing at the threshold of that light getting ready to kick the door in. I've found a peaceful, serene and productive life and so can you! I tell everyone I can who is suffering that my worst day today is still better than my best day as a addictive gambler. I will share with and listen to anyone who is suffering so give me a shout here or at terryk@goingforbroke.net. God Bless, Terry

Just like some of you guys, I think I have that tendency to be addicted to gambling myself. By "tendency", I mean I can stay for hours at a play area, never mind the time, and go home pennyless. If I'm lucky the previous day, I'd come back for more. If I don't, I say I won't be back but I end up going to the place again.

From what you have told me in your original post, it certainly sounds like you might have a gambling problem.  On my website I offer a 20 question quiz to determine whether or not you are a compulsive gambler.  I also offer personal stories relating to my own gambling addiction, as well as tons of other resources and information for the millions of people who are addicted to gambling.  I sincerely wish you the best of luck.

GamblingAnon- Your number one resource for overcoming your gambling addictions.

http://www.gamblinganon.blogspot.com

I also think that your not addicted and that you just enjoy gambeling. Maybe your feeling your addicted because you do it a tad bit too much and maybe thats a sign to cut down before your develope an addiction. keep it down to only a few times a month.

Goodluck :)

I think that some of the things you answered make me lean more towards that you just enjoy gambling. The fact that you haven't lost so much money that you were completely broke is good and you aren't gambling to try and pay off debts. I was just talking to someone about this last night..we believe that most people at casinos can't even afford to be there, but are trying to win money in order to pay bills. What do you guys think? I know whenever I go to a casino and start talking to nearby people I always find out they are up there like every night.