Card playing, slot machines, online games, placing money bets on horse races or sports, or private gaming all comprise gambling activities. Gambling should be for entertainment purposes only and never relied upon for a source of income. Some people don't know when to stop gambling, and it can easily become an addiction. Clear Lead Inc. reports around 2.5 million adults are pathological gamblers, affecting both the gambler and his family psychologically and financially.
Financial Issues
Gambling Help states that compulsive gambling occurs when someone bets money despite the possible "adverse consequences" of losing what he bet, especially when the money should go toward household expenses. Gambling affects family members through financial loss. The impact of the family member's gambling addiction can begin to target credit cards, pay checks, checking and savings accounts, and pension plans.
Gamblers may repeatedly ask to borrow money, or they may steal money from their family members. Even if it is their own pay checks, that may be money they were supposed to use for financial obligations. Some people who have a gambling addiction may target their children's or parents' savings or pension plan accounts. If a gambler takes a few hundred dollars out on a weekly or monthly basis without permission, this causes obvious financial hardship and distress for the the family.
Mental Help
When someone spends her own or her family's money frivolously on gambling, severe emotional and psychological stress can affect family members and destroy lives, explains Mayo Clinic. Getting help with the emotional stress is important to remain healthy. Nationwide programs such as Gam-Anon can help you as a family member find support through group and individual counseling sessions. Gam-Anon is a fellowship of family members who rely on each other for emotional support.
Therapy
For severe gambling addictions, select a therapist who will help your family member identify how her personal gambling problems affect her loved ones. Some larger metropolitan areas offer outpatient treatment centers that work closely with gamblers and family members to identify and treat the addiction and help everyone make healthier lifestyle choices to begin the healing process.
Family Support
Part of getting help for a gambling addiction means having family support throughout the process, explains the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling. Once in treatment, the family has to start rebuilding their lives financially and emotionally. If faced with a bankruptcy or losing a home or job, the family may have to move to an apartment or smaller house. You as a family member must stop the enabling process by making the gambler accountable for all of his money and his whereabouts. Do not lend money to him unless you know for certain he is using it for a legitimate purpose other than gambling.
Solutions
Many problem gamblers do not pay back their debts, or they immediately ask to borrow again. As soon as you suspect your family member may be taking money out of the bank or not putting his paychecks in his account, confront him and request to take over finances. Change your account passwords and contact your bank to have your family member removed from all of your joint accounts.
