Snuck. Gamblers can gamble for years without detection, and the signs aren’t obvious to those around them – unless you end up paying out or an unexpected bill drops in that you know was going to be squirrelled away for something special. Then your loved one might begin to try to hide his or her secret. If your gambler friend or family member is lying about where his or her money is going or asking you for more, he or she may be suffering from gambling addiction. And addicts suffer alone; you can help.
Intervention asks for patience and gentleness. What can help you and the people you care about most in their recovery from a gambling problem is to educate, to be aware of the issues, and be supportive.
Talk to Your Loved One
With betting, who cares? Gambling problematically is an addiction to both success and failure The most helpful thing you can do at this stage is open up the discussion with your friend or family member. Talking about the problem is the first major step in recovery. It demonstrates you care, and you aren’t going to judge them. Read up on the causes and impacts to better understand their perspective, and to be ready to listen.
In the midst of your pain, ask yourself how you feel about this. And then articulate – no rants, no criticisms – that you’re troubled by their fiscal situation and the two of you need to work together to get them back on track. Don’t tell your mate what you believe they ‘should’ do and don’t lecture them; be factual, and say something like: ‘Your behaviour is hurting not only me, but also your family, your employees, and your friends. You need help for your gambling.
Meanwhile, another helpful step you can take to support their treatment is to oversee family expenses and monitor bank and credit card statements. Accompany them in cultivating friendships, being involved in healthy activities and finding ways to cope with stress. It is only with a couple of strong webs that we remain grounded and have the strength to inch healing forward.
Educate Yourself
If you think someone might be at risk of their gambling, learning more about it can help you empathise with their problems, and provide a nonblaming, supportive ear while they engage with counsellors or therapists specialising in addiction or mental health issues.
Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is distinguished from recreational gambling by being preoccupied with gambling and being unable to stop despite the appearance of negative consequences, including an escalation into financially-toxic levels of debt, alienating loved ones and other deserved-but-painful fallout.
Depression is common in problem gamblers, and the symptoms can be described as persistent sad, anxious or “empty” moods; feelings of hopelessness or pessimism; irritability; feelings of worthlessness, guilt,fixation on past failure or self-blame; loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities; fatigue; sleep disturbance including early-morning waking or sleeping too little; changes in appetite or weight; problems with concentration, memory or decision-making; and thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts. Just like depression, if you or someone you know faces the same problems, early treatment will greatly decrease a downward spiral in your mood and state of depression or anxiety. Life enrichment will be improved by receiving group or individual talks or help from support groups which cater to the specific needs of problem gamblers (PGs), or indeed just for all depressed individuals; Good therapy and self-help counselling tools are all necessary; Psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), may include individual talk therapy with three main components being information,cognitive restructuring and behaviour therapy. Family counselling sessions may help educate and encourage family members of those suffering from problems caused by gambling addiction. Financial guidance may provide guidelines to the victims of problem gambling and also assist severely addicted gamblers in reconciling their relationship with their victims. Financial advisors would also advise them as to how they can best impact their finances if they choose to play more.
Offer Support
The consequences can be devastating financially and personally. Problem gamblers lie to friends and family about how much they gamble. They might eventually pay back their debt, but they soon lose it once more – then convince themselves that by betting again they will eventually break even.
Regardless of the stakes, no form of gambling should become a disruption of relationships, employment, health, wellness and, for those in recovery, their pathway to restoration. Gambling behaviour must be incorporated into substance abuse treatment and mental health treatment systems, as untended issues have severe repercussions, undermining recovery, wellness and wellbeing.
Compulsive and problematic gambling can also have emotional consequences, such as feelings of guilt, shame and self-reproach. These emotions may be particularly difficult for those whose loved one continues to gamble. If someone close to you gambles compulsively, you can’t make him or her stop. Nevertheless, you can encourage them to get treatment, protect yourself from further harm and take threats of suicide seriously.
Encourage Your Loved One to Get Help
Those with a gambling problem may not recognise that they have one, or they may not have resources available to them through which to address it. This means that it’s even more important at an intervention that they receive support from a qualified individual such as a licensed interventionist or gambling addiction therapist because otherwise they may continue on a harmful path of gambling addiction. Family therapy could be very helpful.
Take self-protective steps, if you need to. Close the purse strings if they keep asking for loans or money. It’s hard to do this but it will motivate your loved one to change and ultimately enhance recovery.
It’s more important at this point that both of you remain calm and supportive: don’t lecture and blame, because this will make your loved one defensive, and remind your friend or relative of the consequences of their behaviour for their loved ones, which will encourage them to listen to your suggestions more readily. Recommend healthy activities that your loved one may have given up, such as socialising or exercising or stress-relieving hobbies.
