Self Test
To see whether you might have a gambling problem, please complete this quick survey:
- Have you gambled or played for money more than six times in the last six months?
If you said YES, please answer the following questions:
During the last six months have you…
- …been preoccupied with gambling or been thinking how to get money to gamble?
- …needed to gamble more and more money to get excited?
- …tried to cut down or stop gambling but could not?
- …felt restless or easily annoyed when you tried to cut down or stop gambling?
- …gambled as a way of running away from personal problems or as a relief for uncomfortable feelings, like guilt, anxiety, depression, sadness?
- …returned another day, after you had lost money, to try to win back your losses?
- …lied to family members, friends or other important people in your life about your gambling problems?
- …committed any illegal act to finance gambling?
- …lost or almost lost an important relationship, job or a career or school opportunity because of your gambling?
- …relied on others to pay your gambling debts or your bills because you were having financial problems caused by gambling?
This evaluation is adapted from the self-test used on the Web site of the Gambling Disorders Clinic of the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Results of the Self-Test
If you answered “Yes” for even one of these items, further evaluation is recommended. Please contact the Center for Problem Gambling to set up an appointment. Click here for more information.
If you answered "No" to all of these questions then you may not fill the criteria for problem gambling. The beginning of a problem with gambling may be hard to notice. In the future, take note of how often you gamble, and whether gambling causes problems like those in the questionnaire.
Are you seeking help for gambling?
Considering treatment?
Watch one woman's story of overcoming her addiction by clicking here.
Learn More
Do you sometimes gamble more than you would like to? If so, we may be able to help you. Click on the links below for answers to frequently asked questions about gambling:
