Is Your Loved One Problem Gambling?
If your friend or family member is falling into the whirlwind of problem gambling, they may have a hard time admitting it to themselves or others. Some may not even be aware of the trap they’ve fallen into, or could be too ashamed to ask for help.
Here are some of the common signs of problem gambling and a few resources that could help.
1. Gambling Constantly
This isn’t as obvious as it seems. It may seem like someone only gambles at the casinos, but there are many ways to bet these days. From sports betting and online gambling to scratchers and bets amongst friends, it sneaks into more facets of life than you may think.
2. Daily Dysfunction
Someone experiencing problem gambling will likely struggle to cover expenses and may be in debt. That could lead to anxiety and paranoia about paying off loans, regular bills and more.
Examples could be:
-Service disruptions at their residence
-Little food in the house except snacks and easy-prep items
-Trying to charm more money out of friends, family members or coworkers
-Struggling to get to work on time or keep a job at all
-Chronic lack of sleep
3. They’re Apologetic After Gambling
Ever known them to overly commiserate about how much they’ve lost at the races or at the casino? If it happens a lot, this simple thing could be an indicator that your loved one has internal guilt about their gambling losses or habits.
4. Withdrawing Socially
A clear sign of gambling addiction could be that your friend or family member spends less time with their old friends or comes around family less often. It’s common for people to grow closer to others sharing in their addiction, so if they have a gambling group or favorite spot they gravitate to, it could be a sign to consider.
5. Extreme Reactions To Sports/Races
If they respond more drastically than you’d expect—especially for match-ups or events they wouldn’t normally care about—they could have money on the line.
6. Lying About Gambling
For some, gambling can be an activity they do in moderation. So if your loved one begins to lie about how much they gamble or the amounts they’ve lost, it’s likely that it’s becoming problematic for them.
7. Other Addictions
Oftentimes, addictions won’t exist in isolation. In fact, some addictions feed into others, such as binge drinking and chain smoking. You may see use of amphetamines or pills to stay awake longer to gamble into the night.
Sources:
https://www.algamus.org/blog/8-signs-your-loved-one-has-a-gambling-problem
