It often starts small, such as betting just a little money on the outcome of a sporting event or buying a scratch-off ticket. But gambling can quickly turn into an addictive and harmful habit — whether you’ve made money and start to overestimate your luck, or if you’ve lost money and are trying to make it back in risky ways.
Problem gambling, also called gambling disorder, is gambling that is damaging to a person or their loved ones. It can interfere with daily life, careers, health, relationships and financial security.
Every year, about 14% of Iowa’s adults experience problems related to their gambling behavior. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that problem gambling has a national social cost of $7 billion every year, including job loss, bankruptcy and gambling-related healthcare costs.
There are several ways you can reduce your risk of developing a gambling disorder:
• Don’t think of gambling as a way to make money.
• Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose.
• Set money and time limits ahead of time.
• Don’t chase your losses.
However, you should also be aware of the warning signs of problem gambling so you know when to address the issue. You might be a gambling addict if you are:
• Thinking about gambling all the time.
• Feeling irritable when you try to cut back or stop gambling.
• Continuing to gamble despite negative consequences.
• Feeling the need to bet more money and more often.
• Going back to try to win your money back after a loss.
If you or a loved one is showing signs of a gambling problem, help is available. Your Life Iowa is a free, confidential, online service that will provide information, connect you to a counselor or simply offer a listening ear. Visit YourLifeIowa.org or call 855-581-8111 or text 855-895-8398 to connect with their resources.
Natalie Peters is the community health educator in the Dallas County Public Health Department.
