How To Help Someone With A Developing Gambling Problem

Before You Offer Help – Understanding The Different Stages of A Gambling Problem

Before diving in and offering help, you must first understand if the person is actually at risk. Start by trying to identify the reason that person might be gambling. Is it purely for entertainment purposes, or is there a more serious issue?

A gambling addiction or problem can be rooted in a number of causes, such as substance abuse or mood disorders. Sometimes it’s born of boredom or an obsession with the thrill of a big win. Whatever the reason, gambling can develop into a problem, and eventually spiral into a full blown addiction.

While all on the same spectrum, there are different degrees of a gambling compulsion. If indeed a problem exists, identifying motivations will help you to offer the correct form of support. 

What Is Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction, also called pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or a gambling disorder, is an impulse-control issue. The individual becomes obsessed with chasing wins, and is desensitized to any actions that hurt themselves or those around them.

The addiction almost always escalates, resulting in more money spent on bigger bets. The gambler becomes completely unable to control their impulse to gamble, even when they’re aware the odds are against them, or that they can’t afford to sustain their habit. 

On the other hand, problem gambling is what’s considered to be the beginning of a gambling addiction. It’s perfectly possible to have an unhealthy relationship with gambling, but not be completely out of control. In fact, this is more common than you might think. 

Those with greater disposable income can be harder to identify. But just because they can afford it, it doesn’t mean they haven’t developed problem gambling. If they’re chasing losses, and spending more and more, the individual most likely has a gambling problem.

Identifying a Developing Gambling Problem

It’s important to understand that anyone can develop a gambling problem. It isn’t a sign of weakness or a genetic trait, but it can often be learned behavior from senior family members. 

Before you know it, your gambling activities can go from fun and harmless, to destructive and unhealthy. This applies to slots, blackjack, roulette, poker, horse betting, sports betting, and everything in between. 

Individuals who develop a negative relationship with gambling may begin to:

• Display distressed, angry, irritated, or depressed behavior when they don’t win.
• Show decline in personal grooming and hygiene.
• Nurture a perception that they’re particularly skilled gamblers.
• Demonstrate excessive or increased spending on casinos.
• Request to borrow money from family and friends.
• Gamble at odd hours of the day, even during work times.

Problem and At Risk Gambling 

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) is one of the gambling industry’s most respected regulators. Their purpose is to impose checks and restrictions on gambling operators to increase safety protocols and protect players.

To determine the level of harm caused and protection required, the UKGC assesses players on a risk-based scale:

• Problem gambling – Here the individual gambles with negative consequences and a possible loss of control. They might often spend over their limit, gamble to win back money and feel stressed about their gambling.
• Moderate-risk gamblers – In this phase the negative consequences are less severe. The gambler might sometimes spend more than they can afford, lose track of time or feel guilty about their gambling.
• Low-risk gamblers – At this lower level, it can be harder to identify the negative impact. While the gambler might spend too much or feel guilty, it’s far less frequent and can be easy to miss.

A person with a developing issue would be considered low-risk or moderate-risk, but not having quite reached the level of a problem gambler. However, the addiction can easily progress.

Reference:

• https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/strategy/national-strategic-assessment-2020/

The Emotions Of A Developing Gambling Problem

Keeping an eye on an individual’s response to gambling can be quite telling, and usually follows a pattern. The earlier the problem is identified, the more harm can be avoided, and the easier it is to curtail the addiction from developing further. 

1. Winning: Ironically, winning is where the problem tends to spark. The gambler becomes addicted to the excitement and adrenaline rush of a big win. It begins to feel necessary to chase that high, certain in the notion that the next big win is just around the corner.
2. Losing: Inevitably, this leads to a series of losses, which the gambler attempts to cover for by placing even larger bets. This is called chasing losses. Those without the necessary income are also likely to start borrowing or even stealing from family and friends.
3. Desperation: This often goes hand in hand with anger. At this point the gambler has lost their impulse control, often resulting in huge financial losses. In this phase the gambler might feel a lot of shame and guilt. However, they’ll be unable to stop.
4. Hopelessness: This is the end of the line, an experience those seeking support can hope to divert away from. In this ‘rock bottom’ phase, the gambler is in so deep that they can see no way out, resulting in complete disregard for their well-being.

Helping Someone With Their Gambling Problem

If you’re dealing with a spouse, parent, friend, or colleague with a developing gambling problem, it can be difficult to know where to start. However, there are always ways to intervene and provide support. 

In this section we’ll help you take those first steps, breaching this sensitive topic mindfully to help the individual on the road to recovery.

Step by Step Gambling Problem Support

Getting a problem gambler to accept help is a major achievement in itself, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. While every individual situation is different, these are a broad set of steps you can follow to guide you through the process:

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How to Talk to Someone About Their Gambling Habit

The most important thing is to be patient and avoid aggressive confrontation. The way you communicate with someone with a gambling problem will drastically impact their receptiveness to what you’re trying to say. You need to make that person understand that you’re coming from a place of love, concern and support. 

If the person detects judgment or disgust in your tone or words, they’re likely to clam up and shut down. Not only is this unhelpful, but it may also exacerbate the problem, causing the individual to cover their tracks or gamble more.

Staying Safe As A Recovering Problem Gambler

A study conducted on incarcerated gambling addicts showed that not enough support was sought out. While more than 60% reported wanting help, only 25% sought assistance. Even worse, only 5.4% report having attended gambling addiction treatment or related self-help groups.

The reason for this could be related to a societal stigma that gambling addiction isn’t a real issue. In actual fact, it sits on the same scale as alcoholism or drug abuse, and requires a similar support structure.

Reference:

• https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/process-addiction/compulsive-gambling/gambling-statistics/

Long-term Support

Once the problem has been identified and the individual placed on a healthier path, the real work begins. It’s crucial that the person doesn’t return to an unhealthy place. 

These are some ‘aftercare’ tips to harvest a long-term healthy attitude:

• Accept that they can no longer gamble
• Avoid situations that offer gambling opportunities
• Continue to attend support groups
• Maintain healthy hobbies
• Make amends to those they many have wronged

This is not an exhaustive list, and every journey is a personal one. 

Reference:

• https://knowtheodds.org/resources/ebooks/staying-safe-problem-gambling/

Professional Gambling Addiction Help

There are a number of regulated charities and organizations who offer both online and in-person support.

Here are a few you can reach out to:

References and Resources 

• Help for problems with gambling. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/
• Compulsive Gambling. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178
• Gambling – advice for family and friends. Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/gambling-advice-for-family-and-friends#:~:text=encourage%20them%20to%20talk%20freely,other%20problems%20caused%20by%20gambling
• How to help someone who gambles. Available at: https://www.begambleaware.org/helping-gamblers
• The Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction. Available at: https://www.caron.org/blog/warning-signs-of-gambling-addiction
• How to help a loved one who gambles. Available at: https://www.begambleaware.org/how-help-loved-one-who-gambles
• How to Help Someone with a Gambling Problem. Available at: https://www.psychguides.com/behavioral-disorders/gambling-addiction/how-to-help/
• Staying Safe After Problem Gambling. Available at: https://knowtheodds.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/KTO_StayingSafeAfterPG.pdf 
• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Available at: https://www.drugabuse.gov/
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Available at: https://www.samhsa.gov/
• American Psychiatric Association (APA). Available at: https://www.psychiatry.org/
• Psychology Today. Available at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/
• HelpGuide. Available at: https://www.helpguide.org/