While it is mostly men who can’t stop gambling, many women find that they are unable to quit. We will refer to the gambler as “he”, but you could also call it “she”.
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Are You Preoccupied with Gambling?
Gamblers who can’t stop gambling will continue to gamble. He will tell stories about previous big wins and exaggerate the amount of the jackpot. He will often tell others about his latest plan or unbeatable strategy, and he will frequently corner others. He is unable to quit gambling online, on the track or at the pokies, so he will often gamble in more than one type of gambling. He is unable to stop gambling online, at the track or on the pokies. He becomes increasingly obsessed with gambling and loses interest in his hobbies and normal activities.
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Gambling addicts need to have an increasing supply of drugs in order to get the same high.
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You can’t stop!
The problem gambler cannot quit gambling, even if he tried. When he tries to cut back, he becomes frustrated and impatient. Gambling is a way to escape problems or relieve stress.
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The Cover-Up
To hide his dependence, the gambler will lie to his family and friends about how much he gambled. He brags about his winnings and exaggerates them. He denies ever having a problem and becomes furious if it is brought up. He makes lies a way of his life. He is withdrawn from his family and friends and lies about whereabouts when he gambles.
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Dependent
Gamblers will begin to rely on others to help them out of financial difficulties. He borrows money from his family and friends until all of their goodwill is exhausted and they refuse to lend him more money. After that, he can refinance his mortgages or loans. Bills remain unpaid. Life insurance is cashed in. To finance his gambling addiction, he may even commit frauds or thefts.
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Self-destructive
As his gambling obsession escalates, the gambler’s job is threatened and relationships with friends and family are strained. After gambling his grocery money again, he feels immense shame and guilt and will attempt suicide or consider suicide.
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Losing Control
The personality of a gambler changes over time. Because he is not in control, he can be controlling over others. He can be impulsive, manipulative, irritable, and fault-finding. He blames everyone for his financial woes, but refuses to accept responsibility for his actions.
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There is no sense of time
Problem gamblers tend to gamble during celebrations and special events. To relax and make himself feel better, he gambles while on vacation. He ends up spending more time gambling than he had planned.
What can we do to help?
He must be stopped by his family and friends from allowing him to continue gambling. They should stop refusing to give him money or bail him out of more problems. Before he can stop gambling, the gambler must realize that he has a problem. He must confront the consequences of his gambling. Only then can counselling and a self help course be of any assistance.
