If someone you care for has an addiction to gambling, it can be very upsetting and lead to financial issues, including debt.
Gambling disorder often co-occurs with other mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and ADHD that is unmanaged. Medication may help treat these disorders while simultaneously decreasing urges to gamble.
1. Gam-Anon
Gambling can be an addictive behaviour that causes serious difficulties. If someone you know is an addictive gambler, there are ways you can assist in breaking their addiction. Encourage treatment and provide emotional support as they seek relief; self-help groups such as Gam-Anon may also be useful resources to turn to for assistance.
Gam-Anon meetings can be found throughout most cities, with online meetings also allowing people to join from any corner of the globe. Meetings are free with no age restriction and some meetings combine Gam-Anon with Gamblers Anonymous so you can attend one meeting to get all your questions answered at once.
BetterHelp offers self-help groups designed to match you with experienced therapists who specialize in treating gambling issues, helping to identify the sources of addiction in your loved one and develop an effective treatment plan.
2. National Council on Problem Gambling
Gambling should be enjoyed responsibly to be an enjoyable recreational activity; however, irresponsible gambling behavior can quickly escalate to gambling addiction which negatively impacts life in terms of finances, emotions and physical wellbeing.
Problem gambling can lead to relationships, legal matters and mental health concerns including depression and anxiety. It has even caused bankruptcies, financial ruin and suicide – it affects people of all ages, sexes and socioeconomic backgrounds.
National Council on Problem Gambling offers hotlines and other resources to assist those experiencing problem gambling, while advocating for federal funding that supports harm mitigation due to gambling-related harm mitigation. Their 1-800-GAMBLER Helpline offers efficient national access for help and referrals for anyone in need – plus recently underwent major modernization as they received a three-year grant from NFL in 2021 which funded upgraded technology as well as enhanced data collection efforts from their 28 contact centers that make up its national network.
3. Self-help groups
Self-help groups may provide invaluable support for problem gambling. Such groups as Gamblers Anonymous provide fellowship for those suffering from gambling addiction while Gam-Anon offers help and comfort to loved ones of compulsive gamblers; both can create a welcoming atmosphere conducive to recovery.
Problem gambling recovery programs provide members with support in breaking free of irrational thought patterns such as the illusion of control and superstitions that often define problem gambling, including illusion of control and superstitions. They can also assist individuals in making healthier lifestyle choices by eliminating tempting environments/websites altogether and taking control of finances as well as engaging in other productive activities.
Text message services such as SAMHSA’s National Helpline and Colorado’s SMART Recovery Helpline offer instantaneous help, providing users with immediate support in crisis situations or to direct problem gamblers towards local resources and guidance; creating an immediate sense of community among people experiencing similar challenges.
4. Counseling
Problem gambling can be an insidious addiction with devastating repercussions, often accompanying other mood and behavioral disorders like substance abuse, unmanaged ADHD, depression anxiety or bipolar disorder. Tackling these issues head-on is key to breaking free of its hold on you.
Individuals struggling with gambling addiction often turn to it as an outlet to deal with emotional discomfort and feelings of guilt or shame, often lying and concealing it from family members. Unfortunately, this behavior often has lasting repercussions in terms of damaged relationships and financial hardships.
Individuals can find support and guidance through counseling services like BetterHelp online therapy, which connect individuals with qualified therapists for depression, anxiety, relationships and more. Counseling can also serve as an effective first step toward recovery from gambling addiction by helping identify harmful patterns, break old habits and rebuild healthy relationships; additionally it can teach strategies for dealing with setbacks or relapses as they arise.