Helping Someone With a Gambling Problem
Gambling is an addictive behavior that affects both the person who gambles and others who are affected by the gambling activity. It is a major public health issue, with negative psychological, physical and social consequences. Pathological gambling is now classified as an impulse control disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). People who have a gambling problem are more likely to have depression, anxiety, migraines, distress and intestinal disorders. They may also have financial problems, and are often unable to work or care for their family. People living with a gambling addiction are often reluctant to seek treatment because they feel ashamed and believe they can manage the problem on their own.
There are a number of ways that you can help someone who is struggling with gambling, including offering emotional support and limiting their access to money. Taking over household finances can also be helpful, but be careful not to put your own financial security at risk by micromanaging your loved one’s urges. You can also try to reduce the stress in their life by introducing new hobbies or by encouraging them to spend time with friends who don’t gamble. If they find themselves chasing losses, it’s important to remind them that the money they lost is gone for good and that trying to win back these lost funds will usually result in even larger losses.
Having a difficult conversation with a loved one about their gambling addiction is challenging and may be very stressful. It is important to approach the topic when you are both calm and in a distraction-free environment. If your friend or family member becomes angry or defensive when you bring up the subject of their gambling, it may be best to walk away and try again at a later date.
It is also important to talk to your loved one about the positive aspects of their life that are being negatively affected by gambling. This will help them recognize the seriousness of their gambling disorder and be more open to discussing solutions. You can also encourage them to explore healthy coping mechanisms to replace their unhealthy gambling behaviors, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, or practicing relaxation techniques.
In addition to talking with your loved one about their gambling habits, you can help them manage their finances by getting rid of credit cards and limiting access to online betting sites, closing accounts, and setting up automatic payments. It is also important to set up a savings plan so that they have something to fall back on if their gambling begins to affect their financial stability. You can also consider enrolling them in a credit counseling program to help them learn to budget and manage their money. This will be a great way to teach them how to be more responsible and self-sufficient.
