Stages of Gambling
Sometimes it is helpful to look at the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that occupy people who gamble. The following chart offers a rough summary of these. While gambling comes in many forms, there are common stages of thinking, feeling and doing.
ADVANCED PROBLEM Stage:
| Time Period | Thoughts and Feelings |
| When not gambling [at work, play, sleep and so on; not gambling, not decided to gamble] | Sometimes thinks of gambling as solution for emotional discontent (1) but rarely acts on it. “Be nice to take time out and go to casino.” |
| Preparing to go gamble [from the time the decision is made to gamble to when the gambling starts] | Focused on the goal. Upset if interrupted while going, or if someone wants to do something else. Fantasizes about winning more than the social aspect. |
| While gambling [actually gambling] | Tries to make money, fantasizes a big win to catch up if losing. Sometimes loses more than planned and/or stays longer than planned. Sharing experience with others at the casino. |
| Right after gambling [the half hour or so after gambling] | Feelings dependent on results of the gambling. If won is ecstatic, if lost feels sad, angry at either self or casino. Talks only about the gambling if asked. Some astonishment at emotional involvement. Many decide to stop entirely at this stage. |
(1) Emotional discontent could be anything … boredom, sadness, anxiety, excitement, “edginess” and so on.
