Practical Advice and Problem Gambling Support for Families

Problem gambling (also known as gambling disorder or compulsive betting) is a situation in which a person keeps playing games of chance without caring about their relationships, financial and emotional well-being.

While gambling is a casual activity for fun, it can spiral into a destructive habit that affects a compulsive bettor and their loved ones. If you have a friend or family member struggling with a gambling habit, here is how to assist them.

Signs to Observe in Problem Gamblers

There are some behavioral patterns that have been noticed in problem gamblers over the years. Here are some of them.

Financial Issues

Financial Issues

People with gambling addiction are more likely to spend their entire paycheck on games of chance. In fact, they are highly likely to borrow money to chase their losses and experience a high.

In extreme cases, they don’t care that the resources being expended on iGaming entertainment can be used for better purposes, like taking care of themselves or their family needs. They struggle to pay their utility bills and fulfill the required obligation to their families.

Work Absences

Unexplained Absences from Work, School or Family Get-Togethers

Problem gamblers derive more joy from casino or bookmaker entertainment than from any other activity. They might take the risk of missing work days or playing truancy in their school to feed their addiction. The iGaming entertainment hijacks the reward center of their brain and makes it less likely for them to perform their responsibilities.

Financial Crimes

Committing Financial Crimes to Get Funds for Gambling

In extreme cases, betting addicts are ready to commit fraud and swindle people to get money to fund their habits. When you see your family member doing something morally questionable to get money for gambling, they have a serious problem.

Secrecy

Mood Swings and Secrecy

You are likely to see problem gamblers having mood swings for two reasons. It is either that they don’t have enough money at the moment to satisfy their compulsive betting desire or they have incurred serious losses. You will also notice that they will become more secretive and withdrawn.

How to Talk About It

Since you share a bond with the problem gambler, it might seem difficult to confront them about their compulsive behavior. However, it is not impossible. Here are some tips to consider while relating with compulsive iGaming addicts.

Show Kindness

Speak to them with kindness. Let the person know that you really care and want them to stop their self-destructive behavior. There is a big stigma surrounding gambling addiction and compulsive bettors worry that people judge them.

When you approach them, you can use conversation starters like “How are you? I see that you don’t look bright today? Is there something we need to talk about?”, or “I notice that you have been betting a lot recently and I’m beginning to feel worried. I think you need some level of support”.

Listen to Their Feedback

When they give feedback during conversations, listen with rapt attention. Pick out the most important points from their words. Don’t cut them off unnecessarily unless you really need to do so.

Protecting Your Family’s Finances

Some problem gamblers might not care about the effect their habit has on their family’s finances. As a loved one or partner of a compulsive betting addict, you need to go the extra mile to ensure that their behaviour does not take your family downhill. Some of the things you can do include:

Family Finances

Take Charge of the Family Finances

While the addict is in recovery, loved ones have to take charge of accounts and budgets. Every spending must be under scrutiny to ensure that financial resources are going to the right needs. The problem gambler should be allowed to take responsibility for any debts that they have incurred and pay them back.

Set Credit Amount

Set Apart Credit for the Problem Gambler

On bad days, compulsive gamblers chase their losses and lose huge sums of money. Therefore, you should set apart the required specific amount of cash or credit that they need for their daily expenses so that they don’t have extra to gamble.

Store Valuables Safely

Store Valuables in a Safe Location

In extreme cases, you will have to keep your gold, jewelry and valuables in safe and secret locations. Some problem gamblers can pawn them for cash to feed their habit. Don’t share your ATM PINs or sensitive financial information with them.

Looking After Yourself

Don’t drain yourself. No matter what help you try to render to your loved one who has a gambling addiction, don’t lose yourself or drain your mental health. A compulsive gambler is likely to relapse several times before they are able to quit the habit.

Don’t stress yourself to the limit because the willpower to change lies with the problem gambler. They are the ones who should build the determination to change.

Where to Get Help

Many compulsive iGaming entertainment addicts cannot help themselves alone. If you are a problem gambler, you need to build the right connections and associations that understand your plight and can give the necessary support. Here are some ways that you can help yourself.

Local Support Network

Build Your Local Support Network

A weak support network increases your chances of slipping. Contact your family and friends. If you have friends who encourage you to gamble, limit or cut off your interaction with them. Build new hobbies and interests to fill the void left behind after you have quit gambling. You can join a book club, start an online course or volunteer to help out with challenges in your society.

Mental Disorders

Deal with Any Underlying Mental Disorders

Undiagnosed challenges like anxiety, stress, alcohol addiction and depressive episodes trigger compulsive gambling. For example, people with bipolar disorder are more likely to take big and dangerous bets at the expense of their finances.

If you have a problem gambler with this underlying disorder, encourage them to seek the right mental health support services. Also cut off unnecessary stress from your life.

Trusted National Services

Reach Out to Trusted National Services

If you have a gambling addiction, you can join Gamblers Anonymous. It is an international association that wants to quit compulsive betting by following the 12-step model of Alcoholics Anonymous. For people in South Dakota, USA, you can reach out to the South Dakota Council on Problem Gambling for help.