How to Deal With a Gambling Addiction

A person’s gambling behaviour can become problematic when it affects their daily life in a negative way. This can include a psychological, physical, social or professional impact. Often, people are not aware that their gambling has a problem. They may not realise that they are chasing losses or believing that they can make back lost money by gambling more, which can cause them to fall into a vicious cycle.

It is important to remember that you cannot control someone else’s behaviour, but you can encourage them to get help for their problem. You should also take care of yourself, so be sure to seek your own support services. It is important to set boundaries and avoid enabling behaviour, such as providing money or loans. You should also limit contact with people, places and activities that trigger a desire to gamble.

A person struggling with a gambling addiction can receive help from a variety of resources and services, including family therapy, financial counseling, debt restructuring and support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous. They can also be prescribed medication to ease symptoms, such as antidepressants and mood stabilisers. People with a gambling addiction can recover, but it will take time and they may relapse at times. It is important to remember that relapse does not mean failure, and it can be used as an opportunity to learn from mistakes. By identifying triggers and developing coping skills, individuals can work towards recovery.