Self-Evaluation for Compulsive Gambling

If gambling is causing a problem in your life, it is a problem for you. Compulsive gambling can progress to cause significant losses for individuals and families, so early intervention is important. Answer the "Gamblers Anonymous 20 Questions" below to help evaluate how gambling is affecting your life or the life of someone you care about.

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?

Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions. (Reprinted with permission from Gamblers Anonymous.)

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we encourage you to seek help.
If you are concerned about someone else's gambling, Gam-Anon can provide
guidance for family members and loved ones. For assistance, call Sierra Tucson's
Intake Department at 800-842-4487 or seek help from a therapist or
www.GamblersAnonymous.org or www.Gam-Anon.org.

Questions about the Self-Evaluation?

Call the Sierra Tucson call center toll-free at 800-842-4487. We would be happy to disucss your evaluation.

Other Self-Evaluations

• Alcoholism
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Family Drinking
• Sexual Addiction