Ep. 43 - Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem
Gambling has spread beyond lottery tickets, casinos and bingo halls. Since moving online, gambling is on our devices and a big industry has emerged to attract people to free-play apps and websites as well as to sports betting.
For some (about 3.3%) of the population, gambling becomes compulsive. When this happens, the consequences can be serious. This includes money problems but also stress and anxiety for the gambler. Their relationships (marriages, family, parenting) also feel the impact of the gambler’s stress, preoccupation and secrecy.
So, how can you tell if gambling is a problem? Often the person gambling has a hard time admitting it to themselves. For family, it can be difficult to recognize and tough to talk about with the gambler.
Noticing the warning signs of a gambling problem is important. Only then can you talk about it, address it and get help.
In episode 43 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we help you to recognize the warning signs of a gambling problem. We’ll also offer guidance on next steps to take if you or a loved one is having issues because of gambling.
Tune in to episode 43 to learn about:
seven warning signs of a gambling problem
what to do if you notice signs of a gambling problem in yourself
what to do if you notice signs of a gambling problem for a family member or friend
where to get support and help
Listen now to episode 43 of Fold em by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
Learn how to recognize the warning signs of a gambling problem …
and what to do if gambling is getting out of hand for you or someone you care about
The Continuum of Gambling Behaviour
In this episode of Fold em, Roxanne L’Esperance and Martha Funk explain that gambling behaviour occurs on a “continuum”. On one end, a person may not gamble at all or they gamble in a way that doesn’t cause problems. At the other end of the continuum is compuslive gambling. People’s gambling behaviour can move up and down this continuum and move into more risky or problemmatic ways of gambling at different points in their life.
Understanding the continuum of gambling is important because it teaches us that:
it’s possible for all gamblers to move into more risky or probemmatic gambling
by recognizing the warning signs of problem gambling, you can do something to bring yourself back to less risky gambling
Seven Warning Signs of a Gambling Problem
How do you know if your gambling is moving up towards the problem end of the continuum? What are the warning signs of gambling addiction?
Here are seven warning signs of a gambling problem:
Preoccupied with gambling: thinking more and more about gambling, e.g. strategizing the next bet, planning when and how you will gamble, obsessing about wins and losses. Other parts of your life may get less of your focus and energy.
Increased spending on gambling: betting larger amounts and spending more on gambling over time
Trying to control, decrease or stop gambling without success: gambling gets out of control again after you try strategies to decrease or stop
Gambling to escape: you gamble to get relief or a break from physical or emotional pain, stress, depression or anxiety
Chasing losses: rather than seeing losses as the “cost of entertainment” you feel compelled to try and win “your” money back
Secrecy, hiding and lies: about when and how much you’re gambling as well as the extent of gambling losses and how it’s impacting you
Financial concerns: as a result of spending more on gambling, there is less to spend on other things, perhaps bills. Debt may be increasing and you’re borrowing more to make ends meet.
Martha and Roxanne tell us that gambling concerns are about more than money. For example, you may feel that your gambling is not a problem because you have a budget and are sticking to it. But, family members may notice that you are spending more time researching your bets and that you’re more irritable when you lose. For the family member, your gambling is a concern. Try to be open to hearing what they have to say and willing to address their concerns. Maybe they are noticing things that you can’t see in yourself?
Want to take a self-assessment quiz about your gambling? Visit Gambling Support BC’s self-assessment
What To Do If You Recognize Signs of a Gambling Problem?
If you recognize any or all of these seven warnings signs in your self or a loved one, it is important to take it seriously. Gambling problems can be like a boulder rolling down a hill. Once it starts rolling, it can pick up speed and be hard to stop until there is a crash. The earlier you catch it the better.
When gambling problems emerge, they can often be more complicated to address than just promising yourself or a loved one that you’ll gamble differently next time. You may have the best of intensions but need to learn a few things about what actually works.
In this episode of Fold em, Martha and Roxanne offer ideas about what to do if you notice warning signs in your own or a family member’s gambling. Here are the highlights:
Don’t keep it to yourself: keeping this problem to yourself will probably lead to more of the same. Talk/connect with someone you trust - family, friend - AND ideally with someone who knows about gambling issues (a resource list is at the bottom of this blog)
Get your wellness back in balance: typically when gambling gets out of hand, your well-being suffers. Take a look at your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wellness and take at least one small step to get back in balance.
Pick the right moments to talk about it: for the gambler and their loved ones, there is likely built up stress and emotions connected to gambling. Find a moment to talk about it when you are all able to stay calm, be open-minded and patient. Resist pointing fingers and blaming. Emphasize that there are solutions and that you’re willing to help find solutions to the situation.
Learn about gambling problems: there is lots of advertising for gambling, but not as much information about gambling problems. Do some google searches, read the other blogs on this website or listen to our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems. Others have already been through this and have guidance to offer.
Hear more from Martha and Roxanne about what to do if you see warning signs for a gambling problem in yourself or a loved one in episode 43 of Fold em.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog or the red “Listen and Subscribe to Fold em” button below.
Check out other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
Want to Connect With Support and Counselling in British Columbia?
If you live in British Columbia and would like to learn more about free, confidential support and counselling services from Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access our services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Gambling Support BC services are available to any British Columbia resident experiencing problems from gambling. You don’t need to stop or quit gambling or be self-excluded to access these free supports.
Our counselling and outreach services can help you figure out how to manage gambling concerns, including how to control or stop gambling. You decide what will work for you.
You can talk to an outreach support person about next steps for yourself if you aren’t wanting counselling. They can help you find self-help resources or local community resources and make a plan that meets you where you are at.
Want to Connect With Support and Counselling in the Rest of Canada and the United States?
For a list of gambling help services in Canada, visit www.gamblingguidelines.ca/getting-help
To find gambling help resources in the United States, visit the National Council on Problem Gambling
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website, click on the red “Learn More” button below, or connect with us through Facebook.