- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 7 months ago by dunc.
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28 August 2019 at 6:04 pm #6895Seagulls15Participant
Hi
A question I want to ask is can you actually get a loved one to the control their gambling to a normal persons level. He understands he gambles too much but wont attend GA as he says
would have to stop gambling completely but its such a big social thing he couldn’t and wouldn’t want to go down that route. ||I understand GA is right for lots of people but are their other
options for him people know of.
I appreciate any responses.
Thank You -
29 August 2019 at 7:50 am #6896duncParticipant
Hello
Thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy friends and family forum. This forum will provide you with warmth and understanding from your peers.
Feel free to use the friends and family group, you’ll find the times for these if you click on the “Group times” box on our Home page
Read about the friends and Family Online Groups
Now that you have introduced yourself you’ll find that many of the people you meet here have already read your initial introduction and they’ll welcome you in like an old friend 🙂
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You’ll find a lot of advice on this site, some of which you’ll follow, some you won’t…but that’s ok because only you fully understand your situation and what’s best for you and the people you love. So, take the support you need and leave the advice you don’t because it all comes from a caring, nurturing place 🙂
We look forward to hearing all about you!
Take care
The Gambling Therapy Team
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29 August 2019 at 11:48 am #6897duncParticipant
Hi Seagulls15
Welcome to GT, your posts whilst short has lots of permutations and isn’t easy to answer. The following are my opinions, and for disclosure I am a compulsive gambler in recovery
You ask “can you actually get a loved one to the control their gambling to a normal person’s level” There isn’t an easy answer to this, it depends on where the gambler is on the spectrum between recreational and compulsive but mostly its down to the gamblers acceptance of the problem should there be one.
Gambling addiction or compulsive gambling may be a type of impulse-control disorder, impulses (Urges) are impulses, and without help are hard to control. Can a gambler be forced to stop or seek help? In my opinion they can’t, the best route is to allow them to see just how their “Social Activity” is affecting you bnd this can be done by you seeking help and support
One of the hardest parts is to know where anyone is on the spectrum, unlike an alcoholic a gambler will not display outward going signs which can make it harder to see or feel the problem. But the alcoholic analogy works well when looking at a gambler who needs help but wants to do some forms of gambling; and maybe reign in other in the belief control can be achieved
Would anyone recommend an alcoholic who has drunk beer, spirits and cider to stop drinking beer and spirits and continue cider… the truth is alcohol is alcohol and gambling is gambling be it horse racing or a poker game at home. If the addiction exists, then the addiction exists
There are many therapeutic options available from Peer support to rehabilitation with other options in the middle from counselling to clinics etc… but he would need to accept he needs help just doing it to appease you wouldn’t be a way forward.
A thought… if he accepts, he gambles too much how about trying to minimise his access to finances which is effectively the “Pint Glass” and make him accountable to you… this isn’t about giving up control its about regaining control of his life
The helpline is open most days we’d be happy to talk to you and your loved one should he wish to talk. Velvet who manages the F&F side is on Holiday however there is a group this evening at 22:00 which is another way to talk in confidence
Dunc
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