Help Your Loved One Stop Gambling

Gambling

If your loved one is suffering from an addiction to gambling, you should reach out to them for support. You can try counseling to understand the root cause of their problem and how you can help them stop. Although there are no FDA-approved medications to treat gambling disorder, they may help treat other co-occurring disorders. Family and friends support is vital for recovery and will help the gambler stay accountable. But only you can make the decision to stop gambling.

Mental health professionals have developed criteria to identify problem gambling. Many use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria, published by the American Psychiatric Association. These criteria include symptoms of problem gambling and include the Gambler’s repeated attempts at control. However, not all gambling is an addiction. Gambling can also be a symptom of a mood disorder. Mental health professionals should consult with a psychiatrist if a loved one develops a gambling problem.

Taking steps to stop gambling is the first step to recovering from a gambling addiction. One of the best ways to stop gambling is to quit the habit altogether. One of the biggest barriers to recovery is giving up money. Since gambling requires money, eliminating credit cards is essential. Make your payments automatically through your bank. Also, close any online betting accounts. And finally, only keep limited cash in your wallet. Then, it’s time to get back to work.