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How can you tell if you, or someone you care about has a gambling problem?

If you are unsure whether you or someone you know has a gambling problem, you can answer the 20 questions below to help identify the severity of the situation.

Self Assessment

Gamblers Anonymous Diagnostic Criteria Questionnaire

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling? YES NO
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? YES NO
3. Has gambling affected your reputation? YES NO
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling? YES NO
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts, or solve financial difficulties? YES NO
6. Has gambling caused a decrease in your ambition or efficiency? YES NO
7. After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses? YES NO
8. After a win, did you have a strong urge to return and win more? YES NO
9. Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone? YES NO
10. Did you ever borrow to finance yourgambling? YES NO
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling? YES NO
12. Were you reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenses? YES NO
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family? YES NO
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned? YES NO
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry, trouble, boredom, loneliness, grief or loss? YES NO
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling? YES NO
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping? YES NO
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations still create within you an urge to gamble? YES NO
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling? YES NO
20. Have you ever considered self-harm as a result of your gambling?. YES NO

Simply add up the number of "yes" scores to determine your risk factor. Most compulsive gamblers will Score at least 7 "Yes" results. The HIGHER the score the more serious the problem is likely to be.

If you have identified that there is a problem, you are not alone. There are many who have a problem with gambling and those who share their personal stories on this website are just a few. The good news is that there is help, and it's free. Central Coast Gambling Help services will provide support, information and encouragement as you come to understand and overcome problem gambling.

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