As the problem gambling crisis grows across America, thousands are seeking answers regarding what to do when someone they care about is in its dangerous grip. To further complicate the concern, is that there is no singular solution because the corrective course of action depends greatly upon who YOU are to the afflicted person (or people). The good news, is that your search for information on how to help someone with gambling addiction has landed you here at Kindbridge Behavioral Health. We have carefully created easy to follow resource guides that are specific to different types of “relationships” between yourself and someone who struggles with problem gambling. Read below to identify which one applies to you and proceed accordingly.
Resource Guide for How to Help Someone Who May be Suffering from Gambling Disorder (based upon who YOU are to them)
What Companions Can Do
Are you concerned that your romantic partner has a gambling addiction? If so, you’ve been afraid to ask them about it, and when you do your concern is quickly dismissed by them as an overreaction. Their reaction to your concern may even have you doubt your initial suspicions. For this reason it’s important to learn to identify problem gambling behavior. Kindbridge Behavioral Health has created a guide for how to identify this in a companion, followed with advice on what to do to get them treatment.
What Parents Can Do
This is the most heartbreaking position to be in. Whether your young adult or teenager is exhibiting problematic gambling behavior (which is becoming increasingly common) you probably feel powerless. The good news, is that there are steps that you can take to correct their path towards better mental health and wellness which includes an intervention strategy. Click the link below to get started:
What Kids Can Do
The person who is supposed to be your protector, supporter, and role model struggling with their mental and behavioral health. It’s impacting them and the entire family. There are steps that young adult children can take to help release the grip gambling has on their parent’s mental wellness today, which includes an intervention strategy. Click the link below to get started:
What Educators Can Do
America has a teenage and young adult gambling problem. While some may state that corrective action must occur on the home-front, let’s remember that during the school year, youth and college students alike spend more time in class and on-campus than they do at home. For this reason, early intervention initiatives such as this program should be integrated into the American school system before students go off to college. Meanwhile, college and university representatives searching for information on how to help someone with gambling addiction can reference the following guide:
What Companies and Organizations Can Do
Gambling negatively affects workplaces and organizations in many ways. As an employer or related stakeholder you will need to create a policy about gambling within the organization and provide a support system that staff can use to get immediate help.
What Gambling Operators Can Do
Gambling operators in the USA are required to have Responsible Gambling messaging and resources available to players. In addition, licensed operators must provide involuntary exclusion and self-exclusion platforms. Unfortunately, this is where responsibilities to the mental and behavioral health of players generally stops. Although, that may change if the USA takes a page from the UK. At press, a public consultation has been made to force gambling companies in the UK to pay about £100m a year to the NHS to fund addiction research, prevention and treatment of problem gamblers.
As a gambling operator who is concerned about how to help players who may suffer from gambling addiction, there are additional steps that you can take to be more proactive. For instance, two of the biggest players in the online sports betting market are proving their dedication to this worthy mission. Both BetMGM and DraftKings have joined forces with Kindbridge Behavioral Health in creating programs that ensure players who may be facing problem gaming-related challenges have direct access to critical resources to embark on a path to recovery. This initiative is beginning in the state Colorado, which has stood out across the nation as a model of problem gambling support. Stay tuned as this movement expands across all other U.S. states with legal sports betting. View more about the BetMGM partnership here and the collaboration with DraftKings here. Beyond these references,, please click below to learn more about how you can protect vulnerable players.
No matter which category above applies to you, Kindbridge Behavioral Health can help. We work with individuals, couples, family households, schools, athletic organizations, businesses, and even gambling operators to protect and treat Americans who are vulnerable to problematic gambling behavior. Use the contact information below to discuss your options.
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
OR
Email [email protected]
