When Gambling Becomes a Problem Posted On
When gambling becomes a problem, it can feel very confusing. Many people who struggle with problem gambling may not realize they’re struggling by saying, “I don’t have a problem with gambling!” They may not realize that their financial problems, family problems, and health problems may be stemming from their gambling. Many people believe they need to dedicate just a little bit more time because that lucky hit is just around the corner and everything will be better. The question is: how much can you afford to lose?
“How much can you afford to lose?”
When we speak about what you can afford, we don’t just mean money. You may be losing things like a car, a home, or a job. You may be losing out on opportunities like grand family vacations, or smaller outings like sunday brunches that you can no longer afford. We’re also speaking about the relationships you may be losing, such as friends, cousins, and even spouses.
If you’re feeling anxiety because of your gambling, you’re not alone. Many people go through bouts of feeling that success is sure to come that are followed by feelings of failure, loneliness, and despair. It is in these times of bad feelings that, hopefully, you have someone to call for help.
The easiest way to find help is the New York State HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369).
“I do struggle with problem gambling!”
We’ve heard so many stories of a problem gambler being unaware of whether or not they have a gambling problem. We’ve heard many stories from family members of a gambler who are unsure whether or not their loved one is struggling with problem gambling. The easiest way to figure this out is to ask yourself, “is gambling causing problems for the family, job, finances, friends, etc.?” If the answer is yes, then it may be time to seek help.
“I am not alone.”
We’ve spoken to many people who struggled with gambling. Some thought they could control their gambling, and others knew right away they needed to stay away from it. The one thing they seem to have in common is that, once they decided to get help, their lives improved. They’ve found peace from their addiction, and hope for a better future. We hope that if you, or a loved one, is struggling with problem gambling, and you’re reading this, that you’ll walk away knowing that you are not alone, gambling is a problem for some people, and that there is hope and help!
