How to Help Someone With a Gambling Addiction

Gambling is an activity that involves risking something of value, such as money or property, in the hope of winning. It can also be an addictive behaviour.

People gamble for a variety of reasons, such as to socialize with friends or to escape from stress and worries. However, gambling can become a problem when it takes up too much of one’s disposable income.

Definition

Gambling is the risking of something of value (such as money or property) on an event that is determined at least in part by chance. It is also a form of entertainment for many people and can be a fun and exciting way to pass the time. But for some people, gambling can become an addiction that leads to serious financial and personal problems.

A person can gamble in many different ways, including playing card or board games for small amounts of money with friends, betting on sports events or lottery games, and buying scratch cards or lottery tickets. While professional gamblers make their living from gambling, the majority of people who engage in gambling do so for social or recreational purposes.

Throughout history, attitudes towards gambling have changed dramatically. At one time, it was widely viewed as sinful and illegal to wager anything of value. Today, it is recognized as a disorder that shares characteristics with other impulse control disorders, such as kleptomania and pyromania.

Symptoms

Gambling addiction causes serious problems for people and their families. It may be accompanied by depression or anxiety. It is also common for a person with gambling addiction to have a family history of substance abuse and/or other addictive behaviors.

Often, someone with a gambling addiction will lie to friends and family about their spending habits. This can lead to arguments, and in some cases, even legal trouble.

Other symptoms of a gambling addiction include a preoccupation with gambling, frequent withdrawal from social and work activities to gamble, and repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop gambling. In addition, a person with gambling addiction will become restless and irritable when they are trying to control or cut down on their gambling episodes.

If you think that you or someone you know has a problem with gambling, it’s important to act early. Talking to a professional is the best way to get help. At Priory, our therapists offer psychodynamic therapy and group therapy, both of which can be helpful for those who struggle with gambling addiction.

Treatment

Treatments for pathological gambling are not very well established. Several different treatments have been proposed in the literature, but most of them have not been tested for effectiveness. The few studies that have been conducted use short-term interventions and involve small samples of individuals whose circumstances may not be generalizable.

Counseling for gambling disorder can help address unhealthy internal and family dynamics that contribute to the addictive behavior, as well as the underlying mental health condition (if applicable). Therapists can also teach healthy coping skills such as mindfulness, stress reduction techniques, and emotional regulation.

Triggers to gamble can surface in the form of unmanaged emotions, relationship issues, or financial stress. A therapist can help you learn to cope with these emotions and stressors by finding healthier ways to deal with them such as exercise, social activities, journaling, or meditation.

Prevention

The best way to help someone with a gambling addiction is to encourage them to seek treatment. However, it is important to remember that only they can control their behavior and there are certain factors that can make a person susceptible to developing a gambling problem. These include family history, gender, and age. It is also important to note that gambling often co-exists with other substances and mental health conditions.

There are several prevention programs available for individuals who may be at risk for developing a gambling problem. These programs can be educational-based and can be conducted either in person or online. Some studies have examined the effectiveness of determinant and educational-based gambling prevention programs.

Some programs involve teaching people about different aspects of gambling, including how to identify and challenge negative thinking habits like illusion of control and irrational beliefs. These programs can also teach people how to manage their finances by avoiding high-risk situations and keeping credit cards and non-essential cash out of sight.