{"id":2218,"date":"2019-08-13T11:34:57","date_gmt":"2019-08-13T11:34:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/?p=2218"},"modified":"2024-02-27T14:39:02","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T14:39:02","slug":"how-to-help-someone-with-a-gambling-addiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.planet7casino.com\/planet-strategy\/how-to-help-someone-with-a-gambling-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"HOW TO HELP SOMEONE WITH A GAMBLING ADDICTION"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Anyone from any occupation can have gambling problems.\nWhile many people can enjoy gambling without it becoming an issue, sometimes\ngambling can go from a fun and harmless activity to a rather unhealthy\nobsession and usually with serious consequences. Whether it\u2019s betting on\nscratch cards, sports, slots, roulette, or poker, – in a casino, online or at\nthe track \u2013 a gambling problem can strain relationships, other times interfere\nwith work and it almost always leads to financial disaster. Sometimes it makes one\ndo things they never thought they would do like running debts and in extreme\ncases, stealing money just to gamble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding Gambling Addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder. It\nis also known as compulsive gambling, gambling disorder, or pathological\ngambling. An addicted gambler cannot control the urge to gamble, even when it\nhas caused negative consequences to the person and their loved ones too. They\nwill gamble whether they are broke or flush, up or down and they will keep gambling\ndespite the consequences. This even includes when they are aware that the odds\nare against them or when they cannot afford to lose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Needless to say, a gambling problem does not have to\nbe the case where one is totally out of control. Problem gambling is any kind\nof gambling behavior that disrupts one\u2019s life. You should know you have a\ngambling problem when gambling preoccupies your mind, you spend more money and\nmore time gambling, chasing losses, and even gambling despite the damaging\nconsequences in your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A gambling problem or addiction is also often linked\nto other mood or behavior disorders such as substance abuse issues, stress,\ndepression, unmanaged ADHD, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Many gamblers have\nbeen shown to suffer from these disorders too. To overcome a gambling problem,\none needs to address these issues as well as other underlying causes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to Help Someone with a Gambling Problem<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Most times, when you do not have a gambling problem\nyourself, it can prove difficult to understand what someone with it goes\nthrough or even why he or she cannot stop. Now that you have an idea of what\ngambling addiction is like, and you have someone close to you that has a\ngambling problem, the most important thing you should understand is that you\ncannot force him or her to stop or change their behavior; but instead, you can\nhelp them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gambling addiction recovery is not easy; it takes hard work as well as a lot of encouragement. Many compulsive gamblers end up turning their lives around mainly from the support of those people who are close to them. If you know a compulsive gambler and you really want to help them, but you do not know how, here are a few tips to get you started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Understanding them \u2013 and yourself too<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To communicate with someone more effectively, the key\nis trying to understand what he or she is going through. Sometimes when someone\nfeels they are understood; they are often likely to open up and be honest with\nyou and also with themselves. This allows you to come up with and negotiate a\nplan together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While some gamblers may not be aware that they have a\nproblem, the ones who do may have feelings of shame, remorse, and guilt,\nespecially when they know that their problem is affecting those close to them\nas well. In addition, in their desperation to try to regain the lost money,\nthey may end up developing behaviors that are out of character to them like\nstealing which can be shocking to both family and friends. All this may cause\nfeelings of anger, hurt, and betrayal, which can prove difficult for people and\neven you to understand and help them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, finding ways to understand both the problem\ngambler and yourself is a great way to start the journey of helping them.\nUnderstanding is as simple as finding out and understanding what gambling\naddiction is, its underlying causes, symptoms, consequences and then putting\nyourself in their shoes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talk to them about the Problem and Explain the Consequences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Discussing the problem with a compulsive gambler is the next important step. If you start seeing a pattern of behavior that leads to gambling addiction, it may be a good time to step in. Especially if it is getting the person into trouble. To make the approach easy, first of all consider your relationship with the person whether you are close, related, or just casual friends or even colleagues. If you were not close, the best approach would be to discuss with someone closer to the gambler the problematic behavior you have noticed. You can talk to the spouse, a relative, or a close friend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you are talking to them, calmly explain to them\nthe consequences of gambling and try to make them understand. Present the facts\nlogically about the damage and harm compulsive gambling can lead to. In the\nprocess, avoid being judgmental as they may become defensive when you try to\nexplain things. Try to remain calm and sympathetic since expressing blame and\nanger will only lead to more problems. If at first the conversation doesn\u2019t go\nwell, don\u2019t push it as you may make the other person more angry or unwilling to\ncommunicate, simply let it go for a while and then broach the subject later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encourage Treatment and Follow Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
As a treatment starting point, you can suggest a gambling hotline to the person when they admit they do have a problem. Secondly, encourage them to get treatment for their addiction. Gambling addiction can be managed and completely recovered through the use of various therapy techniques. Therapy can also help the person to figure out or get a diagnosis of an underlying condition, if any, and are treated for that. Treatment may involve the use of medication for the underlying or related disorders and in severe cases, inpatient treatment may be necessary. Also, through therapy, he\/she can learn to cope with stressors and triggers that may lead to relapse and impulses. Support groups<\/a> are also a helpful technique to cope with gambling hence encouraging them to join one is good too.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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