|
The health effects of gambling
by Jerry "Jet"
Whittaker
Nov 20, 2006
The health effects of gambling
One of the hardest things about helping people with
gambling problems
is that they are very likely to deny they have problem
even when it is obvious to people around them. They
would just respond like, there is no problem quitting
gambling anytime, or it is not a big deal, some thing
like that. If you come across a friend who has a
gambling problem, show your concern and help him out. Do
not avoid this topic although that person tries to. Do
avoid sermons, lectures, judging and verbal attacks. Do
not continue the conversation if you begin to feel
impatient or angry. You may encounter defensiveness and
denial. Do not take this personally, but make it clear
you are concerned and tell the person how his or her
gambling behaviour affects you. You may have to set
limits with the person. Do not manipulate into excusing,
justifying, overlooking, enabling or participating in
the person’s self-defeating behaviors.
Clear indications
-
Request for help from a gambler
-
Admission by gambler that he or she spends too much
money on gambling
-
Gambler saying that they spend too much time
gambling and cannot keep away
-
Gambling is viewed as a real opportunity to make
money
-
Persuading friends to gamble against their will
-
Spending a lot of time gambling alone
-
Frequenting amusement arcades, betting shops, race
tracks, or casinos several times a week
-
Excessive use of internet casinos and gambling sites
-
Committing crime to fund gambling or pay off
gambling debts
-
Persistent reports that a person has been seen
gambling and in the informer’s view has a problem
-
Frequently in possession of fruit machine tokens,
betting slips, scratch cards.
Helping services
Whilst gambling is, overall an enjoyable and
exciting recreational activity for many it is clear that
some people do suffer through dependency. This can
sometimes be attributed to, amongst others, close
personal loss, stress at home or at work, a considerable
win early on, and debt. Individual and couple counseling
for everyone and anyone who is experiencing difficulties
resulting from a gambling problem, including partners
and family members, can get the counseling at different
places. The main aims of these counseling are:
-
To help stop or reduce the frequency of problem
gambling
-
To help develop ways of coping with problem gambling
behaviour
-
To develop ways of coping with problem gambling
behaviour
-
To understand ways of coping with problem gambling
behaviour
-
To help understand some of the underlying reasons
why gambling has become a problem
-
To help address related issues that are causing harm
or damage
-
To help develop a productive and unhealthy life
without a problem gambling
Copyright © 2000-2007
GamblingWiz.com All rights
reserved. |
