Supporting People With Gambling Problems to Seek Help and Recover: Guidelines for the Public

Abstract

[From Executive Summary] Gambling, while an enjoyable recreational pursuit for most, can lead to significant harms for some individuals, their families and the community. In spite of the harms associated with gambling, most people with gambling problems do not seek help. This is due, in part, to shame, stigma, inability to recognise their gambling as a problem or minimisation of the problems associated with gambling. One identified motivator to seeking help is encouragement from family (Hing, Nuske, & Gainsbury, 2012). However, many family members do not recognise gambling problems in their loved one (Patford, 2009). If a family member is to provide support to a person with gambling problems, the family member must recognise that there is a problem. However, there is limited research investigating the signs of gambling problems and how a concerned family member, friend or co-worker can assist the person to seek help and recover. When the signs of gambling problems remain largely unrecognised, there is limited possibility of support and encouragement from others.