Problem Gambling Self Tests
Are you worried about how much you’re gambling and wonder if you might have a problem - or has someone who cares about you expressed concern about your gambling habits?
Well, firstly, if you think you’re fine but someone you love thinks you have a problem, you’d be wise to take their concerns seriously – since denial is such a hallmark of the early stages of a gambling problem, loved ones are often the first ones to diagnose the problem.1
Take this 5 question test developed by the Canadian Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and find out if you meet the criteria for problem gambling
Problem Gambling Self Test
- Within the last year, have you ever gambled more than you intended on?
- Within the last year have you ever told anyone that you were winning money when you weren’t?
- Within the last year have you ever felt guilty about your gambling or the consequences of your gambling?
- Within the last year has anyone ever criticized you for your gambling?
- Within
the last year have you had arguments about the money you spend on
gambling? 2
Answering yes to 2 or more questions indicates a possible gambling problem that warrants a referral to a gambling treatment program.
The Lie Bet Test
Want to try another self screen? This one is called the lie-bet test and screening tests don’t get much easier than this. Ask yourself the following 2 questions and if you answer yes to either, then you may have a gambling problem.
- Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
- Have you ever had to lie to people important to you about how much you gambled?3
This test is used to quickly rule out pathological gambling behaviors in a clinical environment. Should a person answer yes to either of the questions in the lie-bet test, healthcare workers are instructed to refer the client to a gambling treatment program for further evaluation and treatment if necessary.
References
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Helpful Reading:
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A Gambling Intervention: 4 Steps to Success
The 4 secrets to a successful gambling intervention – Convince someone you love to get some help for their problem gambling.
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Problem Gambling or Gambling Addiction?
As many as 15 million Americans have a problem with gambling, and an estimated 2 million or more are gambling addicts. Learn how to differentiate between problem and pathological gambling.
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Three Stages of Gambling Addiction
From recreational gambler to pathological gambler, all addicts pass through three stages of behavior and irrational thinking.
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