Gambling Use Disorders can affect anyone and impact people from all walks of life. For many, gambling is fun and entertaining but for others, gambling causes loss of the things they value most.
Compulsive gambling is a disorder. Once individuals have an addiction to gambling, the choices they make are no longer protecting the things they value. Here are the possible signs of a gambling problem:
- Gambling more often and spending more money
- Gambling for longer periods of time
- Gambling in spite of negative consequences, such as large losses or poor academic performances
- Gambling as means to cope with loneliness, anxiety, or depression
- Committing illegal acts or lying in order to sustain the gambling
Gambling Services
SATUCI provides gambling treatment services through individual counseling. Gambling assessments can be scheduled by calling the main office at 641-752-5421 or 1-800-BETS-OFF.
Types of Gambling
Gambling is defined as anything which can have a wager for material goods or money.
Common ones include:
- Slots
- Cards
- Racing
- Sports betting
- Fantasy league betting
- Phone/Tablet Applications
- Internet
- Bingo
- Raffles
- Office Pools
- Commodities
- Stock Market
- Lottery games (scratch, power ball, hot lotto)
Warning Signs
An individual struggling with gambling can live day-to-day life normally for a while. Eventually some of the warning signs listed below will start catching up.
Warnings MAY include some of the following:
- Gambling is always on the mind
- Relies on others to get out debt
- Routinely absent or late to work
- Unexplained money loss or gain
- Unexplained possession loss or gain
- Avoiding others (friends, family, co-workers)
- Delays payment on bills
- Excessive unexplained credit card or debit card expensive
- Excessive cash withdrawals
Treatment
Problem gambling treatment services are provided to individuals and families. Services include assessment, individual and early intervention. Individual sessions are available for private discussions of concerns and evaluating treatment goals and progress.
Patients report that sessions with their individual counselors are extremely helpful. Working with your counselor, you will help select the level of intensity best designed to meet your needs. Your outpatient services are continually evaluated to ensure they remain helpful to you, and may be increased or decreased as your situation changes.
There are a number of ways an individual can take steps to regain control over their gambling. One way is to request Self-Exclusion (excluding yourself from the casino). SATUCI can provide counseling and guidance for you in determining if this is the best step for you to address your gambling concerns. Voluntary Self-Exclusion Enrollment Form
Take this simple quiz to evaluate your gambling behavior. It is important to note that this quiz DOES NOT replace a face-to-face evaluation with a trained local problem gambling professional. All information is kept strictly confidential. Your answers may be analyzed statistically for program evaluation and research.