How to Deal With Gambling in Your Family
Whether you’ve been addicted to gambling for years or it’s just one of those things you do from time to time, gambling is not healthy. Not only does it affect your finances, it can also have a negative impact on your family. Luckily, there are many ways to get help.
First, you should know the basic facts about gambling. This includes what kinds of gambling there are, how you should deal with it, and where to find help if you need it. There are two types of gambling: chance-based and chance-free. Chance-based gambling involves playing a game like bingo or the lottery. During a game, each player has an equal chance of winning, although a player’s chances are not always equal to the chances of the other players. Chance-free gambling does not require a prize, and usually consists of playing a game of poker, betting on horse races, or betting on dog races.
If you’re unsure if you have a gambling problem, or if you have a problem but can’t seem to stop yourself, you may need to talk to a professional. A counselor can help you work through the issues that are causing you to gamble, as well as how to stop gambling. You may also want to try a form of therapy, such as family therapy or marriage counseling.
A gambler’s problem can be triggered by an emotional problem, such as a manic episode. You may want to talk with a family member about this to make sure that it’s a legitimate problem and not a coping mechanism. If your loved one isn’t coping with his or her problem, you can encourage them to seek help. You may also need to help your loved one deal with financial issues. You can do this by helping to keep credit cards and bank accounts in good standing.
If you are a problem gambler, you may need to attend a 12-step recovery program, like Gamblers Anonymous. This group has former addicts who are available to provide guidance. You can also try joining a peer support group or taking an education class on gambling.
Symptoms of a gambling disorder can start early in life, but can also begin later in adulthood. Those symptoms include missing work or school, lying to a family member about gambling, and spending a significant amount of money on gambling. A gambling disorder can also be triggered by trauma. This is a risk factor because gambling can be a way to self-soothe negative emotions.
If you have a problem with gambling, you might want to contact the National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). You can also call the Responsible Gambling Council at 1-800-299-4646 to learn more about how to handle gambling responsibly. These organizations have developed standards to make gambling safer for consumers.
In addition, many organizations also offer support to family members of people with gambling problems. Some of these organizations are staffed by professionals who specialize in treating gambling disorders. In addition, there are several different forms of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and family therapy.