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Many of us know someone who is struggling to cope with gambling problems. The effects can be devastating,
not only for themselves but also for their families and friends. Fortunately, you can help.
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Make a difference in a person's life. It's never too late to help someone who is suffering from a
gambling addiction. Nor is it ever too early to help those who might be at risk of becoming problem
gamblers.
Here are several things you can do:
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Learn more about compulsive gambling, including its harmful effects and warning signs. Check out our
problem gambling web pages for more information. The better you
understand the issues, the better prepared you will be to help.
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Buy a copy of our self-help problem gambling recovery system,
and give it to the person you are concerned about. This system helps them recognize their problem and
guides them through the recovery process. You can place an online order.
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Fill out the form, below, to refer the problem gambler to this web site. Here, they can learn more about
the this important issue and its dangers. You can remain anonymous, if you wish.
We treat the information you provide confidentially. We will use it to send your friend an email that includes
the specified message. If you supply your own email address, we will send you a confirmation note.
Please read our Privacy Policy if you have any concerns.
Question: How can I help my loved one who is troubled by poker and gambling's
distractions, aftermath, and problems? When I share my concerns, they
insist poker is a game of skill and not an ill-suited type of gambling. With all the television hype
these days, it's difficult to explain that their skill is mostly a skill of financial hardship and a
distraction from life's full array of healthier forms of entertainment.
Answer: Convincing someone to stop gambling or admit they have a
gambling problem is difficult. Denial and selective perception work to block the
problem from conscious awareness.
To help someone get on the road to recovery, the gambler eventually
must make a realistic assessment of how their behaviour affects their own
well-being and the well-being of those around them. Before this occurs, a closer look into
the problem and its causes is required.
You can help an individual consider the first step, which is to "admit
they have or may have a problem." After that, the desire to recover ultimately must be sparked from
within the person who is experiencing the distraction.
Our suggestion for "How to Help" is below:
Purchase a copy of
Shawn and Drew’s 21 Steps to STOP Gambling System and Workbooks.
Read through it yourself first, and you will gain insight about how problem gamblers think
differently than responsible gamblers and non-gamblers.
After you have read through each of the steps, use your new understanding to help you keep your
bearings. Then offer the set of 21 workbooks to your loved one and suggest that an important part of
being a skilled gambler is understanding how to behave and think like a responsible gambler.
The workbooks are designed to help the troubled gambler develop the skills of responsibility,
achievement, and success that they need to achieve stability.
If your loved one simply recognizes the 21-step program can help them, that will be progress in the
right direction. Once they get started, encourage them to keep working "ONE STEP AT A TIME."
Ask which step they currently are working on, discuss the step's content, and suggest
they use the online support forums.
After reading the workbooks, performing the self-help exercises, taking advantage of
the online support, and abstaining from gambling for 21 to 63 days, there is an excellent chance they
will no longer consider gambling to be the best way to share their talents.
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