Evolution of the compulsive gambler's journey

Compulsive gamblers systematically go through the same three phases: First, there's the winning phase, which the gambler interprets not as the result of chance, but of personal merit. Generally speaking, the amount staked was relatively small, and the winning player doesn't put much of his winnings back into play. However, he starts to play more frequently.

Then he loses. More and more. But he remains absolutely convinced that he will win again, that his losses are due to external events, that he can influence the game. He usually loses a lot, gets into debt. He plays more and more, convinced that he'll "make it again". The gambler borrows, lies, commits illegal acts to obtain money (theft, swindling, forgery): he believes he is always on the verge of regaining everything he has lost, that this phase is transitory. He's not aware that he's become addicted to gambling; he doesn't see the problem: everything will work out.

Alongside the indebtedness come a host of family, professional and social problems, etc.
Then comes the phase of despair, when the gambler has lost everything. Over-indebted, often (but not always) delinquent, he is also and above all depressed. He realizes his situation and sometimes calls for help. Between 10 and 15% of attempted suicides worldwide are gambling-related.