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Problem Gambling

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ADP Home Get Help with Problem Gambling The Self Test for Teens

The Self Test for Teens - by Dr. Jacobs, D.F.*

Important: If you are currently having feelings or thoughts about suicide, please immediately call either:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • National Hopeline Network 1.800.SUICIDE (1.800.784.2433) .

Depression is treatable. Suicide can be prevented. Problem gambling help is available to California residents at 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537).

All information entered in the following survey is Confidential!

Do your friends gamble a lot? Yes No
Do you gamble at school? Yes No
Have you ever stayed away from school or work to gamble? Yes No
Is gambling more important than school or work? Yes No
Do you often spend your free time involved in gambling activities such as poker, sports betting, dice, etc.? Yes No
Do you find gambling to be the most exciting activity you do? Yes No
When you are gambling, do you tend to lose track of time and forget about everything else? Yes No
Do you often daydream about gambling? Yes No
Do you feel your friends are envious of you when you win money at gambling and that you get extra attention because of gambling? Yes No
When you do win, do you want to return to gamble as soon as possible because you believe that you will continue winning? Yes No
When you lose, do you feel you must bet as soon as possible to win back your losses? Yes No
Do you often gamble with money you originally intended to use for other things - like lunch, clothing, CDs, etc.? Yes No
Do you ever borrow money to gamble? Yes No
Have you ever sold a favorite possession or something very special to you to get money to gamble or pay a gambling debt? Yes No
Do you try to prevent your family and friends from knowing how much and how often you gamble? Yes No
Do you ever lie about your gambling? For example, do you ever tell people that you did not gamble or that you won money gambling when in fact you had lost? Yes No
Do you get into arguments with your parents because of gambling or with your friends over a gambling activity? Yes No
Do you feel depressed or lose sleep or feel guilty because you lost money gambling? Yes No
Have you ever thought of suicide as a way of solving your problems? Yes No
Does one or both of your parents do a lot of gambling? Yes No

*Used with Permission by Author. (Survey source: "A Fourteen Year Old Plays Cards for Cash; Is It More Than Fun and Games?" The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 4, 1-3. (1995) )