When most people think of addiction, they tend to focus on substances like alcohol and drugs, but behavioral addictions can be just as destructive. As with any addiction, anyone battling with gambling addiction requires therapeutic guidance. Gambling addiction treatment can provide this help.
If you suspect that a loved one may have a gambling problem, getting them the help they need can feel daunting. At Promises, we offer residential and outpatient programs that provide the exact level of support your loved one might need. Learn more about our services by calling us at 844.875.5609.
Signs of a Gambling Addiction
The first step in getting a loved one help is recognizing that they have a problem. It’s not easy to do, and you may be unsure of whether you’re right or exaggerating their behavior. That’s why it’s essential to know what the signs of a gambling addiction are.
They include:
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Loss of interest in other activities
- Irritability when not gambling
- Lying to cover gambling
- Financial problems
- Relationship problems
- Work problems
- Poor personal hygiene
- Poor living conditions
Someone who has a gambling addiction may continue to gamble despite all of the negative consequences it causes. That’s because this addiction, like all others, is compulsive and chronic. It’s not something that your loved one can talk themselves out of.
How to Help Someone With a Gambling Addiction
It’s not easy to know how to help someone with a gambling addiction, especially if they’re close relatives. The first thing you should do is to speak with them about what you’ve been noticing. Don’t approach this as a confrontation but as an opportunity to let them know how much you love them and how worried you are. Here are some other ways to help:
Present the Facts
Expect your worries to be brushed off. That’s when having some facts can help. For example, if you know they’ve been having money problems or they’ve lost their job because of their gambling, you can bring this up. Don’t be judgmental, but present the facts as they are.
Address the Consequences
You should also go through the potential consequences of their behavior. Mention that they could face serious debts and bring up how much an addiction impacts mental health.
Avoid Confrontation
Throughout this conversation, do everything possible to avoid a confrontation. If you feel yourself losing your temper or you’re frustrated with their responses, step away from the conversation. It’s better to continue it later than to cause your loved one to become defensive.
Be Patient
Vitally, patience is key when helping someone come to terms with the idea that they have an addiction. They may not be ready to face that yet and could need you to approach them with this conversation a few times before they really understand.
Provide Solutions
It’s also important to provide solutions. You don’t want to dump your worries on their lap without offering suggestions for getting help. Mention support groups that they can join, treatment programs that you may have researched, or even self-help books they can read. The point is to get them focused on recovery.
When they’re ready to begin, encourage them to try therapy of some sort. That can help them get on the path to living a healthier life.
Get Your Loved One the Gambling Help They Need at Promises
Helping a loved one accept that they have a gambling problem is just the first step of a lifelong recovery process. It will be up to them to begin treatment in earnest, though ensuring they have support every step of the way is essential. Promises can offer that.
We provide structured and comprehensive treatment programs for all types of addiction. With individual therapy sessions that rely on cognitive-behavioral therapy as well as group and family therapy sessions, we can help your loved one break free from the hold gambling addiction has on them. Call us at 844.875.5609 or complete our online contact form to speak with our admissions team.