Highlights
- Potential harm from gambling extends from financial to mental health problems.
- Family and friends are impacted by one’s compulsive gambling, but support is available.
- Cultural sensitivities can prevent people from seeking help.
- Helping a loved one effectively requires family and friends to get support too.
A hidden addiction with real consequences
The risk of harm in both online and offline gambling may not always be visible, says Professor of Psychology at the University of Sydney Sally Gainsbury.
It’s often called the hidden addiction because you don’t see it in someone’s eyes or smell it on their breath if they have a gambling problem… But the harms are still the same, and the financial costs are still the same.
Sally Gainsbury, Professor of Psychology at the University of Sydney.
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Too often there are relapses as well, she says.
Online wagering tends to appeal to a different cohort than that of poker machines, but the harms are the same Credit: Getty Images/becon
What do the stats say?
Natalie Wright, Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling in New South Wales, says that people from diverse communities facing gambling problems are also likely to avoid seeking help due to shame and stigma.
Counselling in many communities is a really foreign, Western concept. So, there’s often a notion that people want to keep things within the family.
Natalie Wright, Director of the Office of Responsible Gambling in New South Wales
Gambling harm doesn’t just affect the person who gambles Credit: Getty Images/uniquely India
One struggling, many impacted
“So, these people need to have support for themselves regardless of whether the person is trying to change their gambling. It’s also helpful while they’re trying to assist someone or support someone who is attempting to recover,” Prof Gainsbury explains.
Changes in someone’s financial wellbeing can be a sign their gambling has become an issue. Credit: Getty Images/Narisara Nami
Adam*, a Western Sydney resident of Arabic background, has been in recovery from problem gambling since 2014.
But Adam believes everyone has a different way of finding the tools to address problem gambling.
[Some] people succeed with just going to counselling on a weekly basis, changing jobs, changing programs of life, or exercising more. There are things that [can] work for everyone.
Adam*, recovering from problem gambling
Peer-to-peer support and online forums can be helpful for some. Credit: Getty Images/Marco VDM
‘Put on your oxygen mask first’
She likens dealing with problem gambling to an emergency situation on an aircraft, where passengers are advised to put on the oxygen mask before helping others.
It’s important for people to realise that there is a lot of support available for them, they’re not by themselves… [and] be mindful of the adage of getting your own oxygen mask on first.
Professor Gainsbury.
Some people feel more comfortable asking their doctor to direct them to a specialised service. Credit: Getty Images/nahsoon
State-based services offer resources and counselling by phone, online or in person.
If there are some debts piling up due to your loved one’s gambling or there are financial issues, you can seek financial counselling, Ms Wright recommends.
Many people will look for informal support. So, whether that be a health practitioner, or supports within the community, such as community leaders or religious leaders, or support within their family.
Professor Gainsbury.