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Gambling

With the advent of so many casinos around the country, issues surrounding gambling addiction are becoming more numerous. The "thrill of it all" can lead to grief for someone who cannot control his risk taking. Bingo and poker at home or in casinos, slots and table games in casinos are the most common types of gambling.

But the stock market is in many ways also gambling and can lead to even more severe losses than most other forms. In addition, the constant emphasis placed on stocks as "investments" and the lip service paid to the gambling aspects by investment companies can obscure the reality.

As with alcoholism, gambling addiction is often treated in psychotherapy and while GA programs are not as numerous as AA programs, Gamblers Anonymous is a frequent referral for those afflicted with this addiction.

If you suspect that you or someone you know has gambling related addiction, try the following quick test:

1. Do you frequent casinos or other gambling locations often?
2. Do you lose more than you can afford when you gamble?
3. Do you look forward to the risk involved or does the element of chance in situations appeal to you?
4. Do you attract attention at lottery stores by the large number of tickets you buy?
5. Do you often think of winning the lottery or of making a big kill at a casino?
6. Do you have difficulty controling your desire to take risk?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions you may be responding to an unhealthy need to take risk.