Dealing With Problem Gamblers

Do you know anyone is a problem gambler. If you’re not sure what a problem gambler is you should read my post on Responsible Gambling. I actually work with someone who is a problem gambler. He tells me he has spent thousand on the pokies. He even said it had cost him his relationship with his almost bride to be. I told him he had to take control of his life and not let the pokies take control of him. Unfortunately for many it is not as easy as that and they should really seek professional help. Many can not deal with problem gambling on their own. That post on responsible gambling also has some links to helpful problem gambling sites.

I’ve also found this article on problem gambling by the Salvation Army to be very informative. I pulled that image from the article because it shows just how emotionally drained problem gamblers can be.

problem gamblers

 

As the article explains a problem gambler does not want to be lectured to. Doing so only raises their defences. That does not meant that you can’t approach them to tell them you are there if they need someone to talk to.

  • Something you should not do  is to feed their need to gamble. Don’t  put them in situations where they can feed their urge to gamble. If they’re heading towards the pokies in  the pub try to lead them in another direction. Better still, don’t got to an establishment where you know they have pokies.
  • Never ever bring up any type of gambling topic. Don’t brag about some bet that came good for you or how you’re going to place a bet on any sort of sporting event.
  • What you should do is to let them know how important they are to you and how their gambling problem is negatively affecting that relationship.
  • You have to let them deal with the resulting problems that their gambling has gotten them into. Do not lend them money to pay off their debts. They’ll probably gamble it away. Do not lie to protect them as it will have the opposite effect.
  • Do not turn your backs on a problem gambler as this will only exasperate the problem. Spending time with them, away from temping situations, may help them to steer away from their need to gamble, especially if their gambling started out of boredom or a way to relieve stress.
  • Talking to someone with a gambling problem, without lecturing them, may help them to see why they turned to gambling in the first place.

I found this video on gambling addiction.

Problem Gamblers  Overcoming The Urge To Gamble

The video is brilliant. You actually see problem gamblers talking about what turned them into problem gamblers. Knowing the cause can help to resolve the problem. It also dispels a lot of the gambling myths. Knowledge is power.

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This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Marilyn Lancelot

    Imagine your grandmother sitting in the back of a patrol car in handcuffs. I was that woman and the gambling addiction destroyed my heart and soul. The day of my arrest was the most humiliating moment of my life and some people asked the question, “Why didn’t you just stop.” Compulsive gambling is cunning, baffling, and powerful and it’s difficult to understand the addiction because no chemicals or substances are ingested into the body. Almost every day the newspaper, TV, radio and magazines carry stories about the compulsive gambler who is sent to prison for a crime to support their habit, committed suicide because of the shame, or they are being locked up in a psyche ward.Drugs and alcohol are not the only two addictions that destroy lives. While you are reading this paragraph, someone you know may be embezzling money to support their gambling problem. High school students and senior citizens are becoming addicted and seniors are spending their life savings. At their age there is no chance of returning to the work place to supplement their income.The number of problem gamblers increases daily and this hidden addiction tears at the fabric of society. Addictions are the most untreated treatable mental illnesses and there is help.I have an on-line Newsletter to help the female gamblers and the link is: http://www.femalegamblers.info I have also written three books which detail my becoming addicted to gambling and alcohol, the devastation, and my recovery. The titles are, Gripped by Gambling, Switching Addictions, and Detour. Sincerely,Marilyn Lancelot

    1. Hi Marilyn,

      thanks so much for your revealing story about your gambling addiction. Was there a particular type of gambling that you were addicted to? Can you remember the process involved that caused the addiction? I’m assuming that it was a slow process.

      The good news is that there is help, you just have to ask for it. If only problem gamblers could recognise the early signs of addiction they could turn it around before they get sucked into it clutches.

      Thanks also for that link.

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