Are you wondering how to help someone with a gambling addiction?
Gambling disorder can often be a hidden struggle. Many affected individuals try to maintain a façade of normalcy while privately grappling with the compulsion to place bets or try their luck “just one more time.” For friends and family members watching this cycle unfold, it’s painful and frustrating, especially if you’re unsure how to help.
While professional intervention is often necessary, loved ones can play a crucial role in guiding someone toward understanding their problem, seeking treatment, and beginning the journey toward recovery. Below are some practical steps you can take to support a friend or family member dealing with a gambling addiction.
Recognizing the Signs of Gambling Disorder
Gambling in itself is not an unhealthy activity. Many people enjoy this pastime because of its rush of excitement and potential reward associated with winning. However, gambling can become addictive because it activates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, a chemical responsible for feelings of pleasure. This can lead to a cycle where the person seeks out gambling to get the same rush.
So, how can you tell that your loved one is experiencing a true gambling disorder? Here are some of the telling signs to watch for:
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Gambling with larger amounts of money to get the same “rush”
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop or cut back
- Irritability or restlessness when attempting to quit
- Gambling to escape problems or improve mood
- Chasing losses
- Deceiving others about gambling habits
- Borrowing or stealing to fund gambling
- Risking relationships and opportunities
Next Steps: Helping Someone with a Gambling Problem
Educate Yourself About Gambling Addiction
Before you attempt to offer support, it’s important to understand the nature of the condition. Gambling disorder is more than just a lack of self-control. It’s often linked to underlying psychological, emotional, and neurological issues. Spend some time reading reputable sources, such as websites run by mental health organizations or addiction support groups.
Understanding the signs (e.g., lying about gambling, chasing losses, prioritizing betting over responsibilities) and underlying causes can help you approach the conversation with empathy and knowledge.
Approach the Conversation With Compassion
A direct, non-judgmental conversation can open the door to recovery. Choose a quiet, private setting and express your concern in a calm and caring tone. Use “I” statements, such as, “I’ve noticed you’ve been feeling stressed lately, and I’m worried about how much you’ve been gambling.” Avoid accusations or shaming, as these may only provoke defensiveness. Your goal is to let them know you’re on their side, not to place blame or induce guilt.
Encourage Professional Help
While your support is invaluable, few people overcome gambling addiction without professional guidance. Encourage them to seek help from qualified mental health professionals, such as therapists or counselors who specialize in addiction. Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous or local peer-led meetings can also offer community, understanding, and accountability.
If they’re reluctant, provide information—names of reputable clinics, online therapy options, or hotlines (like the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER)—to show that resources are readily available.
Take the first step toward effective mental health treatment by verifying your insurance coverage now. Begin your journey to better care today.
Help Identify Triggers and Alternatives
People with gambling addictions often have specific triggers—times of stress, boredom, loneliness, or even certain social settings that prompt the urge to gamble. You can assist by helping your loved one identify these triggers and brainstorming healthier alternatives. If anxiety leads them to online betting, for instance, suggest engaging activities like exercise, a hobby class, or just taking a walk together. Redirection can be powerful, especially early in their attempt to break the habit.
Offer Practical Support, But Set Boundaries
Practical help might include managing finances if your loved one agrees—holding onto credit cards, monitoring bank accounts, or creating a budget that reduces access to disposable funds. However, be mindful of walking the line between support and enabling. Consistently bailing them out of financial trouble or ignoring harmful behavior can inadvertently sustain the cycle of addiction. Firm but compassionate boundaries are essential. Let them know you care and want to help, but will not finance or participate in their gambling activities.
Celebrate Small Successes and Maintain Patience
Recovery from gambling addiction is a process. It involves setbacks, relapses, and moments of self-doubt. Acknowledge any positive steps—no matter how small—as a sign of progress. If they’ve gone a week without placing a bet, celebrate that achievement. Your positive reinforcement can help maintain their motivation. Patience and understanding are critical; pushing too hard or becoming frustrated may strain your relationship and their willingness to seek help.
Encourage a Supportive Community
If you can, connect your loved one with others who understand what they’re going through. Support groups, both online and in person, provide empathy, shared experiences, and advice from people who’ve been there. Encouraging social activities that don’t involve gambling—like joining a book club, volunteering, or participating in group fitness—can foster healthier social connections and reduce the isolation that often feeds addiction.
Take Care of Yourself, Too
Supporting someone through addiction can be emotionally draining. Make sure you have your own support system—friends, family, or a therapist who can help you navigate the complexity of your emotions. Practicing self-care ensures you remain a stable, empathetic presence rather than someone who becomes overwhelmed, resentful, or emotionally exhausted.
Gambling Disorder Treatment in Massachusetts
Helping someone with a gambling disorder is about more than simply stopping them from placing a bet. It involves understanding their struggle, encouraging professional help, and supporting lifestyle changes that can guide them toward recovery. Remember, gambling addiction is far more than a self-control issue. Patience, compassion, and informed guidance go a long way in helping your loved one understand that there is a path forward—one that leads away from gambling’s grip and toward a healthier, more balanced life.
East Point Behavioral Health offers treatment services for gambling addiction. We have treatment programs for problem gambling and sports betting, depending on your loved one’s needs. To ensure our clients receive the best possible support, we have a team of MA PGS Certified Specialists for Problem Gambling on our staff. These experts have unique training and certification that allow them to recognize gambling addiction among other disorders, such as mental health disorders and substance use disorders. To learn more about our approach to treating gambling addiction, contact us today.
