GAMBLING
About the Illness
A problem gambler is anyone whose gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital,
legal, or other difficulties for themselves and the people around them. A problem gambler can be a
male or female of any age, race, income or religion. He or she may gamble on dog races, card
games, slots and dice, sports events, lotteries, Internet, bingo, the stock market, or any situation that
provides the gambler with "action."
Five to seven percent of Wisconsin residents are problem gamblers. It is called the "hidden illness"
since it doesn't leave telltale signs such as breath odor or slurred speech. Nonetheless, it is as
debilitating as alcohol or drug addiction.
Warning Signs
How do you know if someone you care about has a problem? He or she may:
Deny there is a problem
Lie about where money is going
Borrow money to gamble or pay off debts
Take time off work to gamble
Lose touch with friends or family
Look for the "high" that comes from gambling
Stages of Gambling
Gamblers tend to go through stages of behavior as they fall into problem gambling. Not all gamblers
go through all the stages, nor do they necessarily experience the stages in any particular order.
In the initial stage, gamblers find betting fun, exciting, social, or an enjoyable way to escape the stress
of work, family, or loneliness.
In the second stage, the gambler becomes preoccupied with gambling. The need for bigger and
more frequent bets grows.
In the third, or desperation stage, the gambler may experience health problems, relationships may fall
apart, and the gambler may turn to crime.
The fourth stage is the hopeless stage. The gambler no longer believes there is hope for help.
Depression is common and suicide is a real risk.
Expressing your Concern
As the gambler's loved one, you may decide you must express your concerns. Simply sharing your
observations with the gambler is most effective. Don't try to diagnose the problem or provide advice.
These tips may help:
Be clear, non-judgmental, and speak only for yourself. I've been noticing changes in your behavior and
I am worried about you.
Use concrete observations. You're not at home very much and when you are you seem to distracted to
play with your children.
Be positive. You are usually such an involved parent, and you always give your kids your undivided
attention.
Explain how the problem effects you. I had to lend you money for groceries after you were at the
casino.
Be clear about your position. I won't lend you money again.
Respect personal boundaries. I know you may not be ready to talk about this, but I had to let you know
that I am concerned.
Provide information, not advice. I picked up a brochure on problem gambling that might interest you.
There is a helpline phone number inside.
Your loved one's reaction to your remarks could range from gratitude to denial to open hostility. The
outcome is difficult to predict. Your expression might result in immediate action by the gambler, or it
might be one of several messages that eventually motivate the gambler to get help. Or, it may have no
noticeable effect at all. Whatever your loved one chooses to do, you have provided him or her with
essential information and support.
Financial Problems
Financial problems are the symptom - not the cause "If only I could get my financial life straightened
out, I'd never gamble again!"
You probably heard the gambler in your life make this statement...perhaps several times. You may
want to believe it as much as the gambler does. Yet, straightening out the gambler's financial life is
not likely to end the gambler's compulsion to bet. That's because problem gambling is not a financial
problem; it is a serious psychological disorder. Financial problems are almost always the result of
gambling addiction, not the cause of it.
Resources
Reference Library
The Coulee Council houses the areas larges addiction and recovery library. We have recently updated
the library to include the most recent reference materials on problem gambling. The library is open to
the public. Books are available for lending at no charge and informational material is available to keep
at no charge. Call (608) 784-4177 for more information, or stop by 921 West Avenue S, La Crosse,
Wisconsin, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Other Resources
Compulsive gambling is a recognized disease, just like alcoholism or drug addiction. There is hope
for recovery. Compulsive gambling can be diagnosed and is a treatable illness. Information and
support are available.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for problem gamblers based on the 12-step principles. The
only requirement for participation is a desire to stop gambling. To locate a group in the Coulee
Region, call (608) 784-4177 during regular business hours. To find a group anywhere in Wisconsin,
call (800) GAMBLE-5 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon is a group of men and women who are husbands, wives, relatives, or close friends of
compulsive gamblers. Their goal is to seek a solution for living with this problem by changing their
own lives. To locate a group in the Coulee Region, call (608) 784-4177 during regular business
hours. To find a group anywhere in Wisconsin, call (800) GAMBLE-5 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week
About the Illness
A problem gambler is anyone whose gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital,
legal, or other difficulties for themselves and the people around them. A problem gambler can be a
male or female of any age, race, income or religion. He or she may gamble on dog races, card
games, slots and dice, sports events, lotteries, Internet, bingo, the stock market, or any situation that
provides the gambler with "action."
Five to seven percent of Wisconsin residents are problem gamblers. It is called the "hidden illness"
since it doesn't leave telltale signs such as breath odor or slurred speech. Nonetheless, it is as
debilitating as alcohol or drug addiction.
Warning Signs
How do you know if someone you care about has a problem? He or she may:
Deny there is a problem
Lie about where money is going
Borrow money to gamble or pay off debts
Take time off work to gamble
Lose touch with friends or family
Look for the "high" that comes from gambling
Stages of Gambling
Gamblers tend to go through stages of behavior as they fall into problem gambling. Not all gamblers
go through all the stages, nor do they necessarily experience the stages in any particular order.
In the initial stage, gamblers find betting fun, exciting, social, or an enjoyable way to escape the stress
of work, family, or loneliness.
In the second stage, the gambler becomes preoccupied with gambling. The need for bigger and
more frequent bets grows.
In the third, or desperation stage, the gambler may experience health problems, relationships may fall
apart, and the gambler may turn to crime.
The fourth stage is the hopeless stage. The gambler no longer believes there is hope for help.
Depression is common and suicide is a real risk.
Expressing your Concern
As the gambler's loved one, you may decide you must express your concerns. Simply sharing your
observations with the gambler is most effective. Don't try to diagnose the problem or provide advice.
These tips may help:
Be clear, non-judgmental, and speak only for yourself. I've been noticing changes in your behavior and
I am worried about you.
Use concrete observations. You're not at home very much and when you are you seem to distracted to
play with your children.
Be positive. You are usually such an involved parent, and you always give your kids your undivided
attention.
Explain how the problem effects you. I had to lend you money for groceries after you were at the
casino.
Be clear about your position. I won't lend you money again.
Respect personal boundaries. I know you may not be ready to talk about this, but I had to let you know
that I am concerned.
Provide information, not advice. I picked up a brochure on problem gambling that might interest you.
There is a helpline phone number inside.
Your loved one's reaction to your remarks could range from gratitude to denial to open hostility. The
outcome is difficult to predict. Your expression might result in immediate action by the gambler, or it
might be one of several messages that eventually motivate the gambler to get help. Or, it may have no
noticeable effect at all. Whatever your loved one chooses to do, you have provided him or her with
essential information and support.
Financial Problems
Financial problems are the symptom - not the cause "If only I could get my financial life straightened
out, I'd never gamble again!"
You probably heard the gambler in your life make this statement...perhaps several times. You may
want to believe it as much as the gambler does. Yet, straightening out the gambler's financial life is
not likely to end the gambler's compulsion to bet. That's because problem gambling is not a financial
problem; it is a serious psychological disorder. Financial problems are almost always the result of
gambling addiction, not the cause of it.
Resources
Reference Library
The Coulee Council houses the areas larges addiction and recovery library. We have recently updated
the library to include the most recent reference materials on problem gambling. The library is open to
the public. Books are available for lending at no charge and informational material is available to keep
at no charge. Call (608) 784-4177 for more information, or stop by 921 West Avenue S, La Crosse,
Wisconsin, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Other Resources
Compulsive gambling is a recognized disease, just like alcoholism or drug addiction. There is hope
for recovery. Compulsive gambling can be diagnosed and is a treatable illness. Information and
support are available.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a support group for problem gamblers based on the 12-step principles. The
only requirement for participation is a desire to stop gambling. To locate a group in the Coulee
Region, call (608) 784-4177 during regular business hours. To find a group anywhere in Wisconsin,
call (800) GAMBLE-5 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Gam-Anon
Gam-Anon is a group of men and women who are husbands, wives, relatives, or close friends of
compulsive gamblers. Their goal is to seek a solution for living with this problem by changing their
own lives. To locate a group in the Coulee Region, call (608) 784-4177 during regular business
hours. To find a group anywhere in Wisconsin, call (800) GAMBLE-5 anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week
| Coulee Council on Addictions |
| 921 West Avenue South, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 |
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