You know someone that is a gambling addict. It can be a parent, your partner, spouse, or child. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who the person is. What is important is to know how you can help a gambler. Not to provide more money to keep him happy on the latest slots releases. But to make sure that he stops the addiction and getting professional help.
The problem is that we don’t always know how to help a gambling addict. Especially, if this is someone you love and you are getting hurt in the process as well. The moment that you know how to help a gambling addict, you will be able to assist him correctly, so that he can have a normal life again. These are some things you should consider and things that you can do to help a gambling addict if this is someone you love.
Recognize a gambler with addiction problems
Before you can assist a gambler, you need to make sure that you recognize how a gambler with gambling addiction problems looks like. If you don’t know the warning signs, you will not able to see that he might have some serious addiction problems. These are the signs that you need to look for, for you to recognize that your loved one might be a gambler with addiction problems.
- He is always preoccupied with gambling
- Taking more risks at the casinos or online gambling sites
- He is taking off work to go gambling
- He doesn’t have any money anymore, even if he is getting a good salary
- Lying about where he is and what he is doing
Know that he has a problem
You need to know that he has a problem. If you are going to make excuses for him and not take the fact that he is a gambler seriously, you will not be able to help him.
This is the first step. To know that he has a problem and that you need to make sure that you know it before you confront him. If you are unsure and you doubt yourself and your instinct, then you are going to let him feel that. And, most of the gamblers play on loved one’s guilt.
Confront him is the most important step
You can’t just start getting assistance for him if you didn’t confront him first about his gambling addiction. This is the most important step to get the right help to an addict. You need to make sure that he knows that you are aware of his problem and that you know where he is going, every time he is going somewhere. That he can’t lie to you anymore.
It is going to be easier for him to confess and to ask for assistance if he knows that you realize that he has a problem and that he needs help. Or, that you are doing everything out of love.
Force him to go for therapy
Now, you need to force him to go for therapy. This is the only way that he can get over his gambling problem. If he is saying that he will stop, without assistance, you should not believe him. This isn’t something that can be stopped without any assistance from a professional.
You should make sure that he is going for therapy. Even if you need to force him or even giving him an ultimatum to go for therapy or else you leave. Sometimes tough-love is essential.
Stand by him and let him know that you care
When he is making the changes and he is trying to stop gambling, and going for therapy, you need to stand by him all the way. Making sure that he knows that you do care. This will make it easier for him to stop gambling and to make sure that he doesn’t relapse and start gambling again.
You just need to make sure that he is always going to his meetings. Addicts have a good way of lying. So, don’t just take his word that he is going to the meetings and therapy. Take him there, and make sure that he really goes, or he will just continue with gambling and telling you that he has stopped.
It is important to know how you can help someone with gambling addictions. This is the only way that you can ensure that you are giving him the help he needs. There are many reasons why he might be gambling, and without therapy, he will never be able to stop gambling. With this guide, you will know exactly what to do, to assist him to stop gambling.
