Is your gambling habit hurting you and your family? Are you facing financial problems because of your addiction? Or is someone you know facing gambling issues?

 

According to a Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) study in 2008, nearly 2% of the adult population may be experiencing problems related to their gambling.

 

Gambling addiction is a disease much like alcohol and drug addictions. Problem gamblers have difficulties controlling their gambling behaviour which increases over time in terms of frequency, time spent on gambling and money wagered. They are so preoccupied with gambling that it becomes the main activity in their lives. They may want to stop gambling but have difficulties doing so. Problem gamblers experience negative consequences related to gambling e.g. mounting debts, family problems and poor job performances. They continue to gamble in spite of these problems.

 

Problem gambling affects not just the individual but also his loved ones. In severe instances, it can disrupt many important life functions - whether psychological, physical, social or vocational. The gambler can experience a chronic inability to resist the impulse to gamble which snowballs to more problems.

 

Come to the Problem Gambling Forum - Overcoming The Odds, on Saturday 17 April at Ngee Ann Kongsi Auditorium, Level 2 School of Accountancy, Singapore Management University (SMU).

Get your tickets at $12 per person or $16 a couple from Sistic. This forum is brought to you by the National Addictions Management Service and the National Council on Problem Gambling.