Would you know how to spot if someone else's gambling is causing harm?
Gambling is also known as the ‘hidden addiction’, and quite often the signs are not clear. Research and experience has indicated that these are helpful ways to identify if your own or someone else’s gambling has become harmful.
Here's some tips from RGC to help you when you are worried about a loved one's gambling ...
Signs to look out for if you’re concerned about someone else’s gambling:
- Hiding bills, past-due notices, winnings, or losses
- Increased debt, unpaid bills, or other financial troubles
- Increased tension, stress, and arguments relating to money
- Choosing gambling over spending time with friends or family
- Neglecting work, school and personal needs because of gambling
- Getting easily irritated or having less patience when dealing with everyday activities
- Having few interests outside of gambling
If these signs sound familiar, it’s time to talk about it.
Financial Troubles
Financial troubles are one of the potentially more visible signs of a problem with gambling. The financial costs of a problem with gambling are significant and can include financial insecurity, reduced disposable income, job loss, loss of home and/or business, increased debt and potential bankruptcy.
Below are a few of the financial warning signs that can be associated with problem gambling:
- Overdue and unpaid bills
- Increased spending on credit cards/significant and unexplained debt increase
- Secretive about money problems and/or account balance(s)
- Constant flux of money on their person (flushed with money one moment and none available the next)
- Frequently short/lacking money despite sufficient income
- Repeatedly borrowing money from friends and/or family
- Money disappearing from savings account, home, or wallets without explanation
- Receiving calls from collection agencies