How To Help Someone With Developing Gambling Issues
A developing gambling problem, if not addressed, can lead to full-blown compulsive addiction with severe implications. Your early intervention could make a significant difference, by helping a friend or loved one regain control and limit the financial and emotional distress it causes. You are not alone. This guide provides information and guidance for anyone who wants to help a friend or loved one with a developing issue with gambling.
What Is A Gambling Problem?
A developing gambling problem essentially refers to the gradual shift from casual gambling to more frequent and risky behaviour. Initially, it may involve occasional bets for entertainment. As it progresses, those afflicted can start to exhibit greater dependency on gambling activities.
Warning signs can include increased frequency of gambling, preoccupation with betting, and chasing losses. All common forms of gambling, such as online casino games and sports betting, can contribute to the development of issues.
Without early intervention, a developing problem can escalate into a full-blown addiction. This ultimately leads to serious consequences, such as financial devastation, strained relationships, mental health issues, and legal troubles.
Timely recognition and support are essential steps in preventing this progression towards addiction and its devastating repercussions.
Safe And Responsible Gambling
If you or someone you know is new to online gambling, we highly recommend you get familiar with responsible gambling practices.
Our detailed guide on how to play safely will show you the things you can do to avoid the commencement and progression of gambling-related issues.
Spotting Early Signs Of Addiction
Spotting the early warning signs of a developing gambling problem can help to prevent its escalation. Common warning signs include:
- Increased frequency and time spent gambling
- Greater preoccupation with bets and strategies
- Neglecting responsibilities and obligations
- Increased secrecy and extent of activities to others
- Mood changes, becoming irritable, anxious or depressed.
- Loss of control with setting limits, reducing or quitting
- Chasing losses, betting larger amounts, leading to financial strain
- Withdrawal from social preoccupations to gamble more
- Borrowing money and selling assets to gamble
- Financial stress of accumulating debts through gambling
What To Do If You Spot The Early Signs
If you spot any of the early warning signs as shown above, it is important to try to intervene as early as possible before the problem escalates. In this intense, it is never a good idea to lend money.
Better still, there are some practical steps you can take to support someone with a developing gambling problem. There are also gambling support groups and organisations available that can assist if you feel the situation merits help from experienced professionals.
The Stages of A Developing Problem
A developing gambling problem can be categorized into early, progressive, and severe stages. Early signs involve occasional gambling. In the progressive stage, those afflicted may start to chase losses, while increasing the frequency and size of their bets.
Severe gambling problems start to emerge when it becomes more compulsive, causing financial and emotional distress.
Let’s take a closer look at these three stages:
The Early Stage Of A Developing Gambling Problem
In the early stages of a developing gambling problem, the individual may view gambling as a form of entertainment with occasional wins fueling their enthusiasm.
Problems can emerge when they start to gamble more frequently, increasing the number and size of bets and chasing losses. At this stage, denial of the emerging problem is common, with individuals downplaying the consequences.
Early-stage gamblers might keep their gambling activities relatively secret as risk-taking behaviours start to emerge combined with an inability to set and stick to limits.
The Progressive Stage Of A Developing Gambling Problem
The progressive stage of a developing gambling problem is best characterised by the increased escalation in higher-risk betting behaviours. Individuals in this stage continue to chase losses by increasing the frequency and size of their bets.
As the addiction starts to take hold, gambling starts to become a preoccupation, and they may spend more time researching betting strategies and games. The financial implications may intensify, leading to mounting debts and financial stress.
At this stage, denial and attempts to conceal the extent of the problem are commonplace. This makes it significantly more challenging for loved ones to intervene.
The Advanced Stage Of A Gambling Problem
The advanced stage of a gambling problem can represent a profound and devastating impact on all aspects of an individual's life. At this point, gambling becomes compulsive and all-consuming, with little to no control over betting impulses.
Financial ruin is often inevitable, leading to extreme debts, bankruptcy, and even legal issues. Relationships with family and friends tend to deteriorate, and the individual may resort to borrowing money, selling assets, or engaging in illegal activities to sustain their addiction.
The result of all this often leads to severe emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts in extreme cases. At this stage, urgent intervention and professional help are essential to address the consequences.
Approaching the Conversation
Initiating a conversation with someone you suspect may be struggling with a developing gambling problem is not easy. If you are going to have a successful outcome, you will need to approach the conversation with a degree of sensitivity and empathy.
In preparation, you should choose a moment when both of you can talk privately, without distractions. Opt for a comfortable and quiet setting where they'll feel at ease. Begin the conversation by expressing concern for their well-being and remain non-judgmental.
The ideal approach is to ask open-ended questions to encourage them to open up and share their thoughts. Avoid blame or accusation and instead focus on their experiences and emotions. Be patient and supportive throughout, letting them know you're there to help.
The Practical Help and Support You Can Give
Friends and family play a pivotal role in providing practical assistance, and emotional support and helping to lay the foundations for professional assistance in advanced cases of gambling addiction.
Your support can be the lifeline they need to regain control of their life and find a path towards healing and recovery.
Here is a list of the top 10 practical steps you can take to intervene and provide assistance.
- Engage in Open and Honest Communication: Initiate a dialogue and get to understand their struggles. Be there for them when they need to talk.
- Suggest Professional Help: Open them up to the idea of seeking help or counselling from specialised support groups or organisations.
- Financial Management: Offer assistance in creating budgets, managing finances, and limiting access to money intended for gambling use.
- Monitor Bank Statements: Keep an eye on financial transactions to spot irregularities if this is entirely possible in your relationship.
- Recommend Self-Exclusion Programs: Research and recommend self-exclusion tools like those offered by Gamblers Anonymous and Gamstop in the UK to limit and remove access to online gambling sites.
- Promote Healthy Lifestyle Alternatives: Suggest engaging in healthy hobbies and activities to move the focus away from gambling.
- Remove Temptation: Remove gambling-related items and reminders that would trigger the desire to gamble from their environment.
- Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between you and the person you are trying to help to discourage and prevent enabling behaviour.
- Consider Joint Counselling Or Therapy: Attend therapy or counselling sessions together to strengthen the support system.
- Celebrate progress: Celebrate their victories as they progress toward recovery and offer support during relapses.
The Pitfalls To Avoid
Supporting someone grappling with a developing gambling problem has challenges and there are many potential pitfalls along the way. One of the most common is to fall into the trap of enabling their behavior by providing financial aid.
Always try to be positive because passing judgment and criticizing their actions may alienate them further and neglecting to establish clear boundaries can inadvertently facilitate their harmful habits.
When assisting others during the process of recovery, it is important that you don’t overlook your own care and well-being. Ultimately, this will limit your ability to help and be a constructive source of support.
External Support and Counseling Resources
Gamblers Anonymous (GA)
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a global support group that provides a safe and confidential environment where participants can share their experiences, offer mutual support and work through the challenges of gambling addiction.
Through meetings, the program fosters accountability and offers a 12-step recovery process that helps individuals regain control over their gambling habits and rebuild their lives.
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) is another leading organization dedicated to addressing and preventing gambling-related issues. It offers resources, information, and support to individuals dealing with developing gambling problems or addiction.
NCPG provides helplines, educational materials, and access to treatment services, aiding those in need with guidance and assistance on the path to recovery and responsible gambling practices.
GamCare (UK)
GamCare UK offers a range of services to individuals seeking help and support with gambling-related issues, including confidential counselling, information, and practical advice.
GamCare's helpline and online resources are valuable for those in need of them. The organization strives to help individuals regain control, make informed choices, and get the support they need for recovery.
BeGambleAware
BeGambleAware.org is a resource for individuals seeking assistance with gambling-related problems and addictions in the UK, providing information, advice, and support.
The website offers tools for self-assessment, links to counselling services, and guidance on setting limits for safer gambling. BeGambleAware.org plays a vital role in promoting responsible gambling practices and helping individuals address their gambling problems.
Gambling Therapy
Gambling Therapy is an online platform dedicated to assisting individuals worldwide dealing with gambling problems or addiction. It offers free resources, including forums, live chat, and one-on-one support from trained therapists.
The organization aims to provide a safe environment for individuals to share experiences, access expert advice, and find guidance on overcoming gambling-related issues. It promotes self-help, recovery, and responsible gambling.
What If I Have A Gambling Problem?
It is not always easy to spot a developing gambling problem, particularly if it is you yourself having an issue. If you are having difficulty with controlling gambling impulses, you have already taken the biggest step by acknowledging the issue.
Our detailed guide ‘What to do if you think you have a gambling problem’ offers advice and assistance that can help you get started and put you on the road to recovery.
Final Thoughts And Considerations
Helping someone at an early stage can significantly reduce the chances of a problem evolving into a full-on addiction. You are never alone, there are various organizations and resources available worldwide that can help on a national and local level.
Furthermore, the industry as a whole has made great strides in player safety from gambling addiction. Online casinos must implement responsible gambling initiatives, including self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and clear information on risks.
Oftentimes, your intervention is vital. recognizing the early signs, researching and understanding the problem, offering support, and encouraging professional help, can be a lifeline to someone. Especially where the afflicted are in denial and allow issues to escalate.