Gambling is a problem for many people and can cause a variety of harmful consequences, including financial stress, relationship breakdown, mental illness, addiction, and family violence. These effects can persist throughout one’s life and may be passed down from generation to generation. It’s important to understand the risks of gambling and take action if you think that you or someone you know might have a problem.
If you have a loved one with a gambling disorder, it’s important to keep yourself healthy while supporting them. It’s also helpful to encourage your loved one to seek help. If they are resistant, you can try to change their perspective by pointing out how their behaviour is impacting their wellbeing and that of the wider family. You can also try to limit their access to cash by limiting the amount of money they can spend, putting valuables in a safe deposit, and opening bank accounts that require signatures for withdrawals.
The best way to help a person with a gambling problem is by encouraging them to seek treatment for their addiction. There are various approaches to this, including psychodynamic therapy, which focuses on unconscious processes that influence our behavior, and group therapy, in which people meet with a mental health professional to discuss their problems together.
Often, the most difficult part of getting help is simply starting the conversation. It’s useful to prepare for this beforehand by identifying your own triggers and thinking about what your motivations are for seeking help. You can also talk about your situation with someone else who has struggled with gambling, such as a trusted friend or family member, or a counsellor.