Gambling Suffer : : RISK AND SUFFERRER OF GAMBLING
Youth with high levels of certain personality characteristics such as impulsivity, extroversion, and sensation (thrill) seeking may be at higher risk for developing a gambling problem, and current research suggests that more males than females are problem gamblers. Also, adolescents with lower self-esteem may be at higher risk for developing a gambling problem. Youth problem gamblers are likely to have a parent with an addiction (gambling, alcohol, or drug) or have parents involved with illegal activities. As with many addictions, youth problem gamblers have higher rates of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts.
Please note that each case of problem gambling is unique. The above list includes trends within the research of problem gambling, not exclusive characteristics. For example, females can have serious gambling problems even though some research indicates males are more frequently identified as problem gamblers. Also, parents who are uninformed about warning signs, and who may consider they to be occasional social gamblers, may unwittingly expose youth who may be at risk of developing a gambling problem to increased opportunities, such as by hosting weekly poker parties.
Gambling Suffer : : FOREWARNING SIGNS
Youth gamblers who are at-risk for developing a problem will often display many tell-tale signs. The following are behaviors that an at-risk youth may exhibit:Associated Behavioral Changes at Home and School,Unexplained absences from school ,Dropping grades ,Asking for/borrowing money from peers ,Withdrawal from the family and peers ,Behavior changes (e.g., is day dreaming, anxious, moody, less participative, appears tired in class, changes in sleeping and eating patterns) ,Lying, cheating, or stealing in school or at home ,Spending unusual amount of time reading newspapers, magazines, and/or periodicals having to do with sports ,Selling personal belongings ,Unexplained charges on credit card bills,Unexplained large amounts of money or other material possessions (e.g., cars, clothes, jewelry) ,Gambling-Specific Behaviors, Playing gambling type games on the internet ,Intense interest in gambling conversations ,Preoccupation with thinking about and planning to gamble ,Using gambling "lingo" in his/her conversations (e.g., bookie, point spread, underdog or favorite, exaggerated use of the word "bet") ,Excessive bragging about winnings.