Struggling with Gambling Addiction? Support is Available.
If you or someone you know is battling gambling addiction, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) or Gamblers Anonymous. For immediate support call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Understanding the Impact of Problem Gambling
Recognizing that someone you deeply care about is facing gambling issues can be a distressing realization.
Problem gambling is a profound concern that can affect individuals profoundly, making it a daunting challenge to confront alone. However, your support can be instrumental in their journey toward recovery. This guide aims to explore the avenues for providing effective support, recognizing signs of trouble, and initiating crucial conversations.
Identifying the Signs of Gambling Problems
Awareness is the first step in the process. There are several indicators that might suggest your loved one is struggling with gambling:
- Unexplained financial difficulties
- Increasing secrecy about activities
- Withdrawal from family and social life
- Uncharacteristic mood swings or irritability
- Loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities
Recognizing these signs early can pave the way for timely intervention and support.
Initiating Dialogue with Compassion and Understanding
Approaching someone about their gambling problem requires sensitivity, patience, and planning. Here are strategies to facilitate a constructive conversation:
- Seek Professional Guidance First: Before confronting your loved one, consider consulting with a professional. Numerous anonymous and specialized services are available, offering advice on approaching the subject safely and effectively.
- Prioritize Logic Over Emotion: Maintain a calm demeanor and focus on factual observations rather than emotional accusations. An emotional approach may provoke defensiveness, making it harder to engage in productive dialogue.
Steps to Take Following the Conversation
Post-discussion, it's crucial to foster an environment of support and patience:
- Express Appreciation: Acknowledge their openness to address the issue.
- Exercise Patience: Understand that change is a gradual process.
- Seek Support for Yourself: Engage with support networks for individuals in your situation to maintain your well-being.
- Safeguard Financial Health: Consider practical measures to protect your financial stability without fostering mistrust.
Ensuring Personal and Financial Safety
The adage of securing your oxygen mask first aptly applies here. Prioritizing your safety and well-being is essential:
- Managing the Family Budget: Discuss and decide on budget management strategies that ensure the security of essential finances, possibly assuming responsibility for managing critical payments.
- Protect Your Savings: Implement safeguards to protect your financial resources, such as setting up separate bank accounts or changing access codes, to prevent potential financial harm.
The Role of Responsible Gambling
While addressing the challenges of gambling addiction, it's important to remember that gambling, when approached responsibly, can be a harmless entertainment activity.
Setting clear boundaries, choosing legal and reputable platforms, and utilizing available gambling control tools are key to maintaining a safe and enjoyable experience.
Conclusion
Supporting a loved one through gambling issues is a journey marked by challenges, requiring patience, understanding, and proactive measures to ensure both your well-being and theirs.
By recognizing the signs, engaging in open and compassionate dialogue, and taking steps to protect your mutual financial and emotional health, you can provide invaluable support, guiding your loved one towards a path of recovery while safeguarding your own well-being.
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Meet our Authors
Paruyr Shahbazyan
Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.
In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.
In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards.
Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports.
Strategic Vision
Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports entertainment industry by integrating technology. He sees the future of sports entertainment as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. He aims to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable sports culture.
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
With 20+ years of writing experience across sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups, Sol brings a broad understanding to his role as Editor-in-Chief at RG. His work provides clear, factual information to help readers make informed decisions about gambling. Sol’s approach is about transparency and research, so the content at RG is straightforward, evidence-based, and accessible.
At RG, Sol keeps the focus on the reader by maintaining a standard of reliability and integrity in the information shared. Under his editorial direction, RG aims to provide practical insights into sports and sports entertainment that support a balanced and informed approach. Sol’s approach has helped RG become a go-to source for readers looking to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in the industry.
Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project
“Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.
Nick Ashbourne
Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game in 1998, and he's been writing about them professionally since 2014.
Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports while growing his expertise in sports data analysis and research.
Between 2022 and 2023, he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets. In 2024, he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the RG team.
Sergey Demidov
Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.
Anna Kravtcova
Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.
