Problem Gambling
What is problem gambiling?
Problem gambling (sometimes referred to as “gambling addiction” or “gambling disorder”) is gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career. Anyone who gambles can be at-risk for developing a gambling problem. Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health diagnosis.
Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem
Thinking about gambling all the time.
Feeling the need to bet more money and more often.
Going back to try to win your money back (“chasing losses”).
Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down.
Feeling like you can’t control yourself.
Gambling despite negative consequences.
In extreme cases, problem gambling can cause bankruptcy, legal problems, losing your job or your family, and thinking about suicide.
For more information on the American Psychiatric Association’s criteria for gambling addiction, visit DSM 5 at www.psych.org.
Isn’t Problem Gambling Just a Financial Problem?
No. Problem gambling is an emotional problem that has financial and other consequences. Even if the person pays off their gambling debts, they can still have other problems caused by gambling. The only way to overcome problem gambling is to change harmful gambling habits, and social support and encouragement are a crucial part of that change.
Who is at Risk for Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling does not discriminate and can impact anyone who gambles regardless of age, economic, social, cultural or levels of education. Anyone who gambles can develop a gambling problem. Certain factors can increase your risk of developing a gambling addiction. Your genetics, environment, medical history and age may all play a role.
For more in depth information and resources on Problem Gambling, head to the website for the National Council for Problem Gambling.
Reclaiming Life: A Quest from Gambling
At Quest, we believe recovery is about more than stopping a behavior—it’s about reclaiming your life. Reclaiming Life: A Quest from Gambling is our new outpatient program designed for individuals seeking to understand and heal the deeper roots of their gambling. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It's a trauma-informed, whole-person journey.
Through a combination of individual and group therapy, clients will explore the emotional, physical, relational, and generational patterns that have shaped their relationship with gambling. Our clinicians help clients make sense of urges, build nervous system regulation, and uncover the beliefs and survival strategies that once made gambling feel necessary.
This program offers a safe space to understand not just addiction, but yourself—your story, your body, your family system, and your capacity to grow. Clients will leave with more than coping tools; they’ll gain a deeper connection to themselves, their values, and their vision for recovery.
If you are a client seeking services or would like more information on Problem Gambling services, please call 775-786-6880.