Pathological gambling is a condition where one becomes addicted to gambling.  Players become unable to control their gambling impulses, which makes stopping very difficult.  Gamblers are subtle and usually hide their gambling problems or deny that there is a problem.  Pathological gambling is progressively evolving from a pastime into a problem.  There are no defined signs for the problem, but there are telltale signs that can be detected.  The signs range from financial to emotional to behavioral.
Financial stresses are the most common signs that can be easily noticeable.  Gamblers will tend to go broke, as they will pay until they have no more money in their pockets.  Despite this, gamblers are optimistic that they will make money the more they gamble.  They will seek financial assistance from family, friends, or even loan sharks, yet there will be a hoard of unpaid bills and increasing debts.  Valuables may be sold to finance their gambling habit.  Gamblers may even go to the extent of committing illegal acts just for money.
There will be behavioral changes for problem gamblers.  Gamblers will spend more time gambling, and they will usually do it alone.  They become liars to cover up for their gambling, and they are less productive.  Relationships suffer and problems increase in their social and family lives.  Gamblers will turn to drugs and alcohol for the euphoric feeling they get during gambling.
Pathological gamblers can be helped to stop gambling.  There are various measures that can be taken while withdrawing from the gambling addiction syndrome.  It would be wise for the gamblers, if married, to close their personal accounts, and, instead, open joint accounts with their spouses.  Joint accounts allow both partners to keep track of the money earned, and it will be very hard for the gambler to sneak out any funds without the spouse noticing.  This controls the gamblers urge to gamble, because he knows any money lost to gambling will be identified by the spouse.  The recovering pathological gambler then needs to visit support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous and other counselors, who offer emotional support to withdrawing gamblers.
