Helping someone who has an online gambling addiction is really important. It is true that treatments and motivation should come from the patient him/herself, but moral support from other people is important as well. There are several things that you need to remember and understand first before you are able to help the patient:
• Do not blame yourself, the patient or anyone regarding this matter. You have to remember that this incident already happened and nothing is going to change that. What is important is for everyone to try to move on and help the patient.
• Stop yourself with supporting their online gambling addiction. Understand that letting them continuously do this activity will not help them and definitely will not reduce their urge for online gambling. Do not try and rationalize their actions because it won’t help them.
• Set boundaries in managing the family budget. If the person is serious in getting treatment for his/her online gambling addiction, you should be in-charge or help in assisting managing family expenses to play addicting casino games. Ensure that the finances and credit cards will not be used by the patient in playing online gambling to avoid relapse and support the stable recovery.
• Consider how you are going to handle money request from the patient. It may take time to know when the patient is asking for gambling money or just an innocent grocery budget.
• Try to put Safety Mode on gadgets at home. This is to further stop access of online gambling websites, not only with the patients but also with other minor in the house.
Online gambling addiction is very difficult to handle and treat. But with proper and continuous treatment, self-motivation from the patient him/herself, and moral support from family members and friends, then it is possible to withstand this kind of life changing event.
