For many, gambling can feel harmless and fun, but it is all too easy for addictive behaviours to creep up on you and for a gambling addiction to take hold. Over time it can affect many areas of a person’s life including health, relationships and finances. So, what are the signs of a gambling addiction and how can you spot them in yourself or others?
Gambling addiction signs
Many would think that a gambling addiction would be obvious, but signs of a gambling addiction can be deceivingly difficult to spot. When someone has become addicted to gambling, they may only display a few of these signs:
They may appear irritable and moody and even show signs of withdrawal when not engaged in gambling.
Their work and relationships may start to suffer as they neglect other responsibilities and commitments.
They may become secretive as they try to hide their gambling behaviours.
Gambling is at the forefront of their mind so they might be spending a big chunk of time discussing and researching bets and strategies.
You might notice intense mood swings – someone who is addicted to gambling could be elated one moment due to a big win and extremely low when they lose.
They may be displaying signs of depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness or shame.
Someone with a gambling addiction might display worrying financial signs such as borrowing money, taking out loans or being behind on paying bills.
How to help someone with a gambling addiction
If you are worried about someone you know and you think they might have a gambling addiction, it’s important to offer support and provide a listening ear without judgement – it can be helpful for someone struggling with an addiction to have someone to talk to.
You should also encourage them to seek help. At Change, we offer adults prompt, confidential 1-1 support with an expert, qualified health coach if the individual reaches out to get support for their own addictive behaviours. These sessions run online on a regular basis for a period of four weeks.
If you are a family member, friend or colleague who is affected by someone else’s gambling addiction, it can be helpful to seek support for yourself. The stresses and anxiety of worrying about someone’s addictive behaviour can have lasting negative effects on relationships so it’s a good idea to have your own support network in place.
Change can help by suggesting ways to persuade the person in question to come to us in a positive and safe manner, whilst providing the affected person with advice and care.
How to overcome gambling addiction
If you are experiencing gambling-related harm, the best thing you can do is ask for help. Change offer support to anyone who wants to tackle their addictive behaviour – read through our services page to find out more.
Other things you can do to help you along your recovery journey include:
Ask your bank to block any money going to gambling websites and apps.
Pay important bills on payday via direct debit so that you are not able to spend this money on gambling.
Don’t ignore your debts – instead take steps to deal with them.
Spend time with family and friends.
If you are struggling with a gambling addiction, or know someone who is, know that you are not alone. We believe everyone is capable of Change.
Commentaires