Introduction
As regular gamblers, we all know the thrill of placing a bet and the excitement of a potential win. Whether you’re spinning the reels at your local pokie venue or trying your luck online, gambling can be an entertaining way to spend your time. However, it’s crucial to recognise when your hobby might be turning into something more serious. Understanding the early warning signs of gambling addiction can help you maintain control and keep gambling as the fun activity it should be.
Many Kiwi gamblers enjoy various forms of entertainment, from traditional pokies to online platforms like Kiwi’s Treasure casino, but knowing when to step back is essential for your wellbeing and financial health. The line between recreational gambling and problematic behaviour can be surprisingly thin, which is why awareness of early symptoms is so important.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, also known as problem gambling or gambling disorder, is a serious condition that affects thousands of New Zealanders. It’s not simply about losing money or having a bad streak – it’s a behavioural addiction that can impact every aspect of your life. The good news is that recognising the early signs can help prevent the situation from escalating.
Unlike substance addictions, gambling addiction is often called the “hidden addiction” because there are no obvious physical symptoms. This makes it even more important to be aware of the behavioural and emotional changes that might indicate a problem is developing.
Early Warning Signs to Watch For
Changes in Gambling Behaviour
One of the first signs that your gambling might be becoming problematic is when your behaviour around gambling starts to change. You might find yourself gambling more frequently than before, or spending longer periods at the casino or online. Perhaps you’re betting larger amounts than you used to, or you’re gambling on games you previously weren’t interested in.
Another red flag is when you start chasing losses. This means continuing to gamble in an attempt to win back money you’ve lost, often leading to even bigger losses. If you find yourself thinking “just one more bet and I’ll win it all back,” this could be an early warning sign.
Emotional and Mental Changes
Pay attention to how you feel before, during, and after gambling. Are you gambling to escape from problems or negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or depression? Do you feel restless or irritable when you’re not gambling? These emotional changes can indicate that gambling is becoming more than just entertainment for you.
You might also notice that you’re thinking about gambling more often, planning your next session, or reliving past wins and losses. If gambling thoughts are taking up a significant portion of your mental space, it’s worth taking a step back to evaluate your relationship with gambling.
Financial Red Flags
Keep an eye on your spending patterns. Are you gambling with money that should be used for essential expenses like rent, groceries, or bills? Have you found yourself borrowing money to gamble or lying about how much you’ve spent? These are serious warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
Setting a budget for gambling is normal and healthy, but if you consistently exceed that budget or find yourself unable to stick to your limits, this could indicate the beginning of a problem.
Social and Relationship Changes
Problem gambling often affects relationships with family and friends. You might find yourself being secretive about your gambling activities, lying about where you’ve been or how you’ve spent your time. Perhaps you’re avoiding social situations that don’t involve gambling, or you’re neglecting responsibilities at work or home.
If people close to you have expressed concern about your gambling, it’s important to listen to their observations. Sometimes others can see changes in our behaviour before we recognise them ourselves.
The Impact on Daily Life
When gambling starts to interfere with your daily routine, it’s a clear sign that something needs to change. This might include missing work to gamble, neglecting household responsibilities, or losing interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy. Sleep patterns might also be affected – either staying up late to gamble or losing sleep due to worry about gambling losses.
Physical symptoms can also emerge, such as headaches, stomach problems, or changes in appetite. While these might seem unrelated to gambling, stress and anxiety from problematic gambling can manifest in physical ways.
Taking Action Early
If you recognise any of these warning signs in yourself, don’t panic. Acknowledging that there might be a problem is actually the first step towards maintaining control. There are several practical steps you can take right away.
Start by setting strict limits on your gambling – both time and money limits – and stick to them. Consider using the self-exclusion tools available at most gambling venues and online platforms. Take regular breaks from gambling to reassess your relationship with it.
It’s also helpful to talk to someone you trust about your concerns. This could be a family member, friend, or a professional counsellor. In New Zealand, there are excellent support services available, including the Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655) which offers free, confidential support 24/7.
Conclusion
Recognising early gambling addiction symptoms is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with gambling. The key warning signs include changes in gambling behaviour, emotional responses, financial patterns, and social relationships. Remember that gambling should enhance your life, not control it.
