How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Gambling Addiction 

Everyone knows about drug and alcohol addiction, but something that isn’t talked about nearly as much is gambling addiction. Even though this may not seem as severe on the surface, compulsive gambling can come with severe and life-altering consequences for the person struggling with addiction and those closest to them. 

If someone you love is dealing with a gambling addiction, there are a few ways that you can provide support and help them recognize that it has become a problem. In this article, we will be discussing how you can talk to a loved one about their gambling addiction. 

Understanding Compulsive Gambling 

Gambling disorders are very complex as they can be derived from a variety of factors such as personality, trauma, exposure, and other mental health disorders. Some people develop a gambling addiction over time, or it may start to take effect the first time they visit a casino or place a bet. 

It can be challenging to understand why a loved one continues to gamble when it comes with such negative repercussions. It may seem like they are continuing to engage in a bad habit no matter who they are harming in the process. The reality is that gambling addiction is like any other type of addiction; it creates an uncontrollable urge that makes it almost impossible to resist. 

Because of this, it is crucial that you approach your loved one with empathy and kindness when trying to address their gambling addiction. Taking a heavy-handed approach or not educating yourself on gambling disorders beforehand will only make the situation worse. 

Signs of Bad Gambling 

Another thing to remember about gambling is that not everybody who gambles is going to have an addiction. Some people simply gamble for enjoyment, just like how someone may drink an occasional alcoholic beverage without necessarily being an alcoholic. Because of this, you need to be entirely certain that your loved one has a real problem. 

Depending on the situation, it could be difficult to understand whether or not your loved one has been engaging in bad gambling habits. However, there are a few things that you can look out for that could indicate that their gambling has become a problem. 

• They are asking you for money to settle gambling debts. 

• They are always broke. 

• They are spending less time with family and friends to instead go gambling. 

• They have started to obsess over gambling and winning back their losses. 

• They are having a hard time maintaining their job, financial responsibilities, and relationships. 

• They are showing signs of mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. 

How to Reach Out to a Loved One Battling Gambling Addiction 

If you are certain that your loved one is battling a gambling addiction, it is very important that you provide them with support. Many people may feel nervous about speaking out for fear of sounding accusatory or increasing their loved one’s guilt. The reality is that most addictions are impossible to beat if the person is on their own, which is why they need a support system. 

Here are some ways you can talk to your loved one about their gambling addiction so that they feel heard and supported. 

Don’t Blame Them 

The most important thing to remember when you talk to your loved one about their addiction is to not cast blame on them. They are most likely already aware that their gambling is a problem, and they may already suffer from a great deal of guilt. Even if you feel frustrated with the situation, it is crucial that you avoid making them feel as though you blame them or think that they are a problem. 

A great way to do this is to focus on saying “I” instead of “you”. This can turn the conversation into an open discussion rather than sounding accusatory and one-sided. 

Provide Solutions 

It is easy to discuss a problem without ever providing an actionable solution. Part of why having a support system is so essential for those struggling with addiction is that it gives them a different perspective. 

It is very likely that your loved one has already tried to stop gambling without any success. Hearing a second perspective from somebody who isn’t dealing with those urges can help them find other solutions that may prove to be more successful. Providing solutions can also help the conversation to sound less negative or accusatory. 

Keep in mind that you want to be careful when providing solutions for a gambling addiction if you are not a mental health professional. It is best to stick to proven treatment options, such as a gambling addiction program that provides counseling, therapy, and behavioral treatments. 

Be Vulnerable 

A very beneficial tactic when talking about addiction to a loved one is to bring out your own vulnerability. After all, this is a very vulnerable subject, and your loved one is most likely going to feel a bit uncomfortable talking about it. Casting the spotlight on yourself is a great way of putting them more at ease and making it an open conversation that isn’t just about their issues. 

You may be able to open up about your own experience with addiction or other loved ones who have battled addiction. 

Listen to Their Side 

For many people who have a loved one with a gambling addiction, they may wait until they are very frustrated to finally speak up. This is a very natural thing to do since most people don’t like to talk about such uncomfortable topics. However, doing this will not only make your loved ones feel as though they are being blamed; it will lead to a very one-sided conversation. 

You want to approach your loved one with kindness, empathy, and an open mind. Approach the conversation with a desire to hear their side of things and the logic behind their actions. Even if everything they say is purely the addiction talking, it is still important that they feel like they are being heard. 

Many people who are battling addiction bottle everything up inside due to shame and guilt. Allowing them to vent and really speak their mind can lead to more open conversations about how to address their gambling. 

Focus on the Positive 

It can be difficult not to approach your loved one feeling negative and weighed down by the topic of compulsive gambling. Even if you feel this way, you still want to try to approach your loved one with a positive frame of mind. They most likely already feel quite negative about the situation and nothing will be resolved if you are both looking at the situation in the same light. 

Try to frame the conversation around positive things, such as how beneficial it will be for them to reduce how much they are gambling. For example, talk about all of the experiences they can have when all of their money isn’t going to gambling. Putting a positive spin on the conversation can help them to walk away feeling motivated and refreshed. 

If your loved one is ready to join a gambling addiction treatment program, look no further than Victory Bay. Our mental health professionals are dedicated to improving the lives of our clients, helping them to escape the grasp of addiction. We are proud advocates for those suffering from addiction, and we actively strive to reverse the social stigma around mental illness and addiction disorders. 

At Victory Bay, we believe it’s never too late to begin treatment, so reach out today to get started in our gambling addiction treatment program!