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Jason Scheck
Jason Scheck is a Clinical Social Worker and Director of Mental Health Emergency Services at COMCARE of Sedgwick County. COMCARE is the licensed Community Mental Health Center for residents of Sedgwick County. To talk with a professional confidentially, please call 316-660-7540. Help is available.
Mental Health
2013-03-01 11:21:02
When is it a gambling problem?
Q-I like to gamble, my friends gamble and we go as a group once or twice a month. One of the guys, I have noticed, goes to the ATM a couple of times per night, and usually spends more than the rest of us. My friends and I all work at the same place and the other day, I overheard the guy talking about how hard it has been keeping up with his bills at home. This is not the first time he has made a remark regarding money. He has a wife and two small children and I am beginning to grow concerned. Should I ask him about it?
A: Many people who gamble simply enjoy it as entertainment, recognize that they are likely to lose, and only bet what they can afford. For others, gambling can disrupt their life, straining relationships with family or friends, causing problems at work or leading to financial catastrophe. Problem gamblers struggle with controlling their behavior, even when they know the gambling hurts them or their loved ones. They continue to gamble even when they can’t afford to lose. There are a number of warning signs to look for. Problem gamblers will often talk constantly about gambling, tell only of wins and not losses, lie about when and how much they gamble, and gamble until they have lost all of their money. Financial ruin, increased risk of drug and alcohol dependence, divorce, loss of employment, increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide, are just a few of the possible negative impacts of problem gambling. 10 Questions you can ask yourself about your gambling. 1. Have you often gambled longer than you had planned? 2. Have you often gambled until your last dollar was gone? 3. Do thoughts of gambling cause you to lose sleep? 4. Have you used your income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid? 5. Have you made repeated, unsuccessful attempts to stop gambling? 6. Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance your gambling? 7. Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling? 8. Have you felt depressed or suicidal because of your gambling losses? 9. Have you been remorseful after gambling? 10. Have you gambled to get money to meet your financial obligations? When approaching your friend, be patient and focus on conveying empathy rather than immediately changing behavior. Use “I” statements such as “I am worried about you,” rather than “you” statement such as “You are making me worried.” Keep in mind that changing problem gambling habits is not easy. Willpower and self-resolve are not always enough to stop problem gambling. Provide support such as listening and encourage your friend to seek appropriate professional help. If gambling is causing a problem in your life, the life of your loved one, or someone you know, please ask for help. The biggest step in getting treatment is realizing you have a problem with gambling. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Overcoming a gambling addiction or problem is never easy. But recovery is possible if you stick with treatment and seek support.
 
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