How to Identify and Help Someone with an Online Gambling Problem
Does Your Loved One Have an Online Gambling Problem? How Can You Help?
Living with and loving a person with an online gambling problem can be confusing and chaotic. How can you tell if he really has a problem? Explore the questions below to see if any of them send up "red flags" for you.
These questions were adapted from the "20 Questions" listed on the New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling website.
1-Does your loved one have attendance problems at work because of staying home to wager online?
2-Has anyone close to him expressed concern about his online gambling?
3-Does he borrow money to bet with?
4-Has he lied to friends/family about wagering?
5-After losing, has he ever continued gambling to try to win money back?
6-Ever hear him talking about how much money he won when he actually didn't win?
7-Does he acknowledge losing sleep just thinking about gambling?
8-After winning, does he continue wagering online to try to win more?
9-Does he gamble even though he has financial problems?
10-Does he gamble online at the expense of important relationships?
If any questions are answered 'yes,' your loved one may have a wagering problem.
If Someone You Know Has An Online Wagering Problem-How You Can Help
According to Carol O'Hare of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, here are some suggestions on how to help:
1-Tell the friend openly but lovingly that you believe he/she has a problem with online betting.
2-Provide national helpline numbers or your state gambling helpline's number (if they have one) to the person and encourage him/her to call for assistance. Check this link for your state's helpline.
3-Suggest he/she attend a Gamblers Anonymous meeting locally.
4-Ask your friend to consider professional treatment for the online gambling problem. It would be helpful for your friend to attend an assessment at a treatment center that specializes in problem gambling (including online gambling) and follow the center's recommendations.
5--Contact Gamblers Anonymous (213-386-8789) for more information about how to help someone with a gambling/betting problem.
Sources
Chaney, Rita (pen name-Pearl Grace). November 27, 2007. How to Recognize and Help Someone With an Online Gambling Problem. Helium website.
Gamblers Anonymous website.
New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling website.
Published by Pearl Grace - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness
My writing career began in graduate school. I completed a thesis for my masters' in Clinical Psychology. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, I work with individuals, children and families. I am publish... View profile
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- If someone expresses concern about your loved one's online gambling, he may need help.
- Sharing your concerns about your loved one's online gambling without anger is helpful.
- Offer to attend an assessment at a gambling treatment center with your loved one to offer support.
6 Comments
Post a CommentVery informative. Great write-up
This could be very important for some people.
Really helpful. The Internet brings home problems and temptations for some people.
Great topic - the last thing anyone with a gambling adddiction needs is a credit care and an on-line gambling site.
Great advice, I lived that roller coaster ride, and was glad to get off.
This is great advice Pearl.