赌瘾，也称为强迫或病态赌博，是一种难以控制的冲动，会忍不住想继续赌博。虽然任何人都可能成为一个赌博成瘾的人，但是有情绪障碍或滥用药物问题的人，年轻人，男性和有赌博问题家族史的人是会患上赌瘾的高发人群。大约有1％的美国人有可能发展成为病态赌徒，而在全国委员会中已经关注过赌博问题。

　　工作或学术问题

　　那些沉迷赌博的人往往在上学或工作中会遇到问题，各种行为表现不佳，成绩的突然下降或不明原因的缺席。他们有的也可能注意力无法集中，或显得不安和恼怒。

　　关系问题

　　病态赌徒也经常遇到由于他们无节制的赌博而引起的关系问题。他们似乎从他们的朋友或家人中回避，停止照顾自己的孩子，或停止关心他们的健康，对曾经喜欢的事情失去了兴趣。

　　无法停止赌博

　　病态赌徒都无法停止赌博，即使他们想停下来。他们可能试图阻止或减少赌博，但没有成功。当他们试图渐少赌博的次数，他们可能会感到烦躁或焦虑。那些沉迷赌博的人也常常感到被迫去追逐损失，但还是继续赌博，以弥补前面的损失。

　　隐藏赌博

　　有赌瘾的人往往试图对他们的家人和朋友隐瞒赌博的事情。他们也可能在他们花多少时间或金钱赌博上撒谎。

　　财务问题

　　金融问题，如原因不明的债务，也可能是赌博成瘾的迹象。但赌博成瘾，主要是情绪问题，而不是一个财务问题。病态赌徒，即便没有金钱上的问题仍然可能上瘾。

　　通过犯罪获得金钱

　　病态赌徒可能会通过盗窃或诈骗等犯罪活动，获取金钱，或可能为钱计划进行犯罪活动。病态赌徒也可能因为他们的赌瘾而依赖于朋友或家人经济上的帮助。

　　译文

　　Gambling addiction, also referred to as compulsive or pathological gambling, is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to keep gambling. Although anyone can develop a gambling addiction, people who have mood disorders or substance abuse problems, younger people, men and people who have a family history of gambling problems are at a higher risk for the condition. About 1 percent of Americans qualify as pathological gamblers, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.

　　Work or Academic Problems

　　People who are addicted to gambling often experience problems at work or school, such as poor performance, a sudden drop in grades or unexplained absences. They also may have trouble concentrating, or seem restless and irritated.

　　Relationship Problems

　　Pathological gamblers also often experience relationship problems caused by their uncontrolled gambling. They may seem withdrawn from their friends or family, lose interest in activities they once enjoyed, stop taking care of their children, or stop taking care of their health and hygiene.

　　Inability to Stop Gambling

　　Pathological gamblers are not able to stop gambling, even if they want to stop. They may have tried to stop or cut back on gambling with no success. They may feel irritable or anxious while they try to cut back on gambling. People who are addicted to gambling often also feel compelled to chase losses, or continue to gamble to make up for losses.

　　Hiding Gambling

　　People who have a gambling addiction often try to conceal their gambling from family and friends. They also may lie about how much time or money they spend gambling.

　　Financial Problems

　　Financial problems, such as unexplained debt, also may be a sign of a gambling addiction. A gambling addiction, however, is primarily an emotional problem, not a financial problem. Pathological gamblers who do not have financial struggles still may be considered addicted.

　　Getting Money Through Crime

　　Pathological gamblers may resort to obtaining money through criminal activity, such as theft or fraud, or may plan to carry out criminal activities for money. Pathological gamblers also may rely on friends or family for financial help because of their addiction