Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, Inc. ®

A gambling addiction is referred to as the “hidden disorder” because there not physical symptoms like bloodshot eyes or slurred speech. But the effects can be as devastating as other addictions and can frequently lead to financial and personal destruction, even suicide.

DO YOU OR IS SOMEONE YOU KNOW?

1. Gamble to calm nerves, forget worries or reduce depression?

2. Have difficulty sticking to time and money limits while gambling?

3. Lose time form work or school due to gambling?

4. Experience mood swings based on winnings and losses?

5. Neglect personal needs or health due to gambling?

6. Lie or argue with family or friends about gambling?

7. Use savings, or sell or pawn personal possessions to gamble or pay off debts?

8. Borrow or steal money to gamble?

9. Use credit to bet or pay off losses? Engage in illegal activities to gamble?

10. Feel y9ou want to stop gambling but are unable to do so?

The presence of just one or two of these signs can indicate a gambling problem. Don’t try to handle it alone.

The 4 Stages of Problem Gambling

First Stage: Gamblers conceal minor money trouble by borrowing from family and friends.

Second Stage:Lying becomes a way of life. Gamblers camouflage their activities by telling lies to cover their tracks.

Third Stage:When increased financial losses result in problems at school, work, home or elsewhere. The financial problems sometimes lead to crime.

Final State:Mounting crises emerge from ongoing gambling, which may result in incarceration or suicidal thoughts and attempts.

WHAT IS CODEPENDENCE?

Celebrate Recovery ®

1. My good feelings about who I am stem from being loved by you.

2. My good feelings about who I am stem from receiving approval from you.

3. Your struggle affects my serenity. My mental attention focuses on solving your problems.

4. My mental attention is focused on pleasing you.

5. My mental attention is focused on protecting you.

6. My self-esteem is bolstered by solving your problems.

7. My self-esteem is bolstered by relieving your pain.

8. My own hobbies and interests are put aside. My time is spent sharing your interests and hobbies.

9. Your clothing and personal appearance are dictated by my desires as I feel you are a reflection of me.

10. Your behavior is dictated by my desires as I feel you are a reflection of me.

11. I am not aware of how I feel. I am aware of how you feel.

12. I am not aware of what I want – I ask what you want. I am not aware – I assume.

13. The dreams I have for my future are linked to you.

14. My fear of rejection determines what I say or do.

15. My fear of your anger determines what I say or do.

16. I use giving as a way of feeling safe in our relationship.

17. My social circle diminishes as I involve myself with you.

18. I put my values aside in order to connect with you.

19. I value your opinion and way of doing things more than my own.

20. The quality of my life is in direct relation to the quality of yours.

In its broadest sense, codependency can be defined as an addiction to people, behaviors, or things.

Codependency is the fallacy of trying to control interior feelings by controlling people, things, and events on the outside. To the codependent, control or lack of it is central to every aspect of life.

Codependency is a family sickness. The family that is codependent remains trapped in  a series of compulsive behaviors that are repetitive, damaging, and painful.

The codependent person starts by showing defense mechanisms that are similar to those of the addicted person. He or she reacts in a way that is not healthy when in contact with the addicted person.

Some of these defense mechanisms are:

• Minimization

• Manipulation

• Denial

• Obsession

• The need to control

• Over protectiveness

• High tolerance

To summarize, the codependent looses control of his own life and needs while investing all of his energy on others. He has a great need to belong, to be accepted, and to feel useful while at the same time paying a high price for it.