Friends & Families

FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS
DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR? "Granddad, I’m so ashamed. I went to the casino with my friends and spent all of my tuition money. Please, please don’t tell dad and help me out just this once." "Mom, I don’t know what we’re going to do. You know Sally has been spending a lot of time at the casino. Well, she sent out our bills but, the same day, she pulled out every dollar in our checking account from the ATM at the casino. Please, you have to help us." "Joan, we’ve been friends for 25 years. I don’t know what came over me, but I can’t even pay my utility bills this month. Can you lend me the money just this once?"	AVOID BEING AN "ENABLER" Friends and families of compulsive gamblers need to recognize the problem so they don't repeatedly bail out (financially rescue) a compulsive gambler. Do you you how to recognize a gambling problem and what to say to someone who asks for your financial help? Compulsive gambling is a symptom of other psychological trauma. The majority of people who become compulsive gamblers later in life do so to escape or self-medicate for other life problems. Compulsive gambling is a progressive, diagnosable, treatable disease much like alcohol and drug addiction. It does not go away by itself. A person with a gambling problem needs to become educated about the disease and seek help. Read the articles on this web site. If you still have doubts, call the Arizona Council for advice and referral.	LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO Read all of the material in the TOP menu bar to help you make a decision about whether the person asking for help has a gambling problem. Especially note information on Types of Gamblers and Male or Female Gamblers as it pertains to the person of concern. It is not unreasonable to ask the gambler to read the same material and formulate a plan together for getting help. In addition to reading materials, you might want to attend a CoDa meeting. Many family members benefit from Codependents Anonymous. It helps the family member love the person with the problem without trying to solve it for them. Meetings thrive throughout the nation, but especially in the Phoenix area since CoDa was founded in Phoenix. Meeting times and places are available on the Internet on the CoDa website or by calling 602-735-3060
We welcome your comments and questions: azccg@azccg.org The ACCG is a proud affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling

FRIENDS AND FAMILIES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

"Granddad, I’m so ashamed. I went to the casino with my friends and spent all of my tuition money. Please, please don’t tell dad and help me out just this once."

"Mom, I don’t know what we’re going to do. You know Sally has been spending a lot of time at the casino. Well, she sent out our bills but, the same day, she pulled out every dollar in our checking account from the ATM at the casino. Please, you have to help us."

"Joan, we’ve been friends for 25 years. I don’t know what came over me, but I can’t even pay my utility bills this month. Can you lend me the money just this once?"

AVOID BEING AN "ENABLER"

Friends and families of compulsive gamblers need to recognize the problem so they don't repeatedly bail out (financially rescue) a compulsive gambler. Do you you how to recognize a gambling problem and what to say to someone who asks for your financial help?

Compulsive gambling is a symptom of other psychological trauma. The majority of people who become compulsive gamblers later in life do so to escape or self-medicate for other life problems.

Compulsive gambling is a progressive, diagnosable, treatable disease much like alcohol and drug addiction. It does not go away by itself. A person with a gambling problem needs to become educated about the disease and seek help. Read the articles on this web site. If you still have doubts, call the Arizona Council for advice and referral.

LEARN WHAT YOU CAN DO

Read all of the material in the TOP menu bar to help you make a decision about whether the person asking for help has a gambling problem. Especially note information on Types of Gamblers and Male or Female Gamblers as it pertains to the person of concern. It is not unreasonable to ask the gambler to read the same material and formulate a plan together for getting help.

In addition to reading materials, you might want to attend a CoDa meeting. Many family members benefit from Codependents Anonymous. It helps the family member love the person with the problem without trying to solve it for them.

Meetings thrive throughout the nation, but especially in the Phoenix area since CoDa was founded in Phoenix. Meeting times and places are available on the Internet on the CoDa website or by calling 602-735-3060

We welcome your comments and questions: azccg@azccg.org
The ACCG is a proud affiliate of the National Council on Problem Gambling