Tuesday, March 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Gamblers Anonymous lists 20 questions that can help determine whether you or someone you know is addicted to gambling.
The organization says most compulsive gamblers will answer "yes" to at least seven of the following questions:
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 and 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 as a result of your gambling?
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EDITOR'S NOTE:
People who believe they may be addicted to gambling, and relatives of those who may be problem gamblers, can get help from the following:
-Gamblers Anonymous hotline in St. Louis, 314-831-4444.
-Gamblers Anonymous hotline in Kansas City, 816-346-9230.
-Hotline sponsored by Missouri riverboat casinos, 1-800-GAMBLER.
-Help for gamblers through the Missouri Department of Health, 573-751-4942.
-GamAnon hotline in St. Louis, 314-831-4444.
-The National Center for Responsible Gaming in Kansas City, 816-531-1878.
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