Problem gambling, also called a gambling disorders' an addiction that can be difficult to detect–it does not have the physical effects other addictions, such as drug or alcohol addiction, have.
Studies have shown that most problem gamblers manage to hide their addiction from their family, friends, and co-workers, there fore you may not know that your friend has a gambling problem unless he/she tells you. By the same token, those vulnerable people are often reluctant to face their addiction themselves, so when they lose, they get upset and try to win it all back, most of the time using money they cannot afford to spend.
This usually leads to higher stress levels, anxiety, depression, financial loss, debt, the breakdown of relationships and so on. There is good news though –once detected, a gambling disorder can be successfully treated.