Recognizing a Gambling Addiction

Friday, November 03, 2000

ROCHESTER, MINN — Today, the opportunity to gamble is almost everywhere. Some people have difficulty knowing when to stop. The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers these signs of gambling addiction: * Skipping family dinners or work gatherings to gamble * Gambling in secret * Repeatedly vowing to quit but failing to stick with it * Not planning to gamble but just "ending up" gambling * Gambling with money needed for bills * Lying, stealing or borrowing to get gambling money * Continuing to gamble when you lose in an effort to win back losses * Gambling when you feel depressed or when you feel like celebrating

Ask your doctor if you have concerns about your gambling. Information is also available at the National Center on Problem Gambling, 800-522-4700 or on the internet at http://www.ncpgambling.org

Shelly Plutowski 507-284-2417 (days) 507-284-2511 (evenings) e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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