Gam-Anon - twenty questions
If you are living with a compulsive gambler, you will answer yes to at least six of these questions:
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Do you find yourself constantly bothered by bill collectors?
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Is the person in question often away from home for long, unexplained periods of time?
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Does this person ever lose time from work due to gambling?
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Do you feel that this person cannot be trusted with money?
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Does the person in question faithfully promise that he or she will stop gambling; beg, plead for another chance, yet gamble again and again?
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Does the person ever gamble longer than he or she intended to, until the last euro is gone?
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Does this person immediately return to gamble to try to recover losses or to win more?
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Does this person ever gamble to get money to solve financial difficulties, or have unrealistic expectations that gambling will bring the family material comfort and wealth?
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Does the person borrow money to gamble with or to pay gambling debts?
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Has this person's reputation ever suffered due to gambling even to the extent of committing illegal acts to finance gambling?
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Have you come to the point of hiding money needed for living expenses knowing that you and the rest of the family may go without food or clothing if you do not?
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Do you search this person's clothing, go through their wallet when the opportunity presents itself, or otherwise check on their activities?
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Do you hide their money?
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Have you noticed a personality change in the gambler as their gambling progresses?
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Does the person in question consistently lie to cover-up or deny their gambling activities?
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Does this person use guilt induction as a method of shifting responsibilities for their gambling upon you?
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Do you attempt to anticipate this person's moods, or try to control their life?
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Does this person ever suffer remorse or depression due to gambling, sometimes to the point of self-destruction?
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Has the gambling ever brought you to the point of threatening to break up the family unit?
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Do you feel that your life together is a nightmare?
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