Support, do not criticize.

[alastantiger]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them. If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time. It is not an easy decision for some of them to make, and even imagining that they will never gamble again can make it worse for them, most of them need all the support they can get to help them maintain the decision to give gambling some time away. If you criticize and mock them, they may nurse in the heart the mindset that gambling is impossible to stop, or even stop trying to stop gambling because you have already made them feel like they can never do it.

Empathy is not equally distributed. And in terms of gender, one gender gets more empathy than the other.  A male gambling addict on the path to recovery is likely to receive less support than his female counterpart. The male will be teased, mocked, almost insulted for towing the path of recovery. It happens every day especially in places low in empathy and emotional intelligence.

On the side of those who are on their recovery journey. Do not expect everyone to be nice to you. Do not expect that they would not mock, tease, and insult you for having the courage to fight your addiction. You should expect these things so that when they happen, you will not be disappointed. You should grow a thick-skin because that is the way you are going to beat them and overcome.

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[coin-investor]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them.

We should not, but people cannot stop hurling insults and criticism at people who are addicted to gambling and who want to change their ways, these people are the reason why gamblers are afraid to come out because of the ridicule, they are judged as being weak and they cannot control themselves, for these people they treated gamblers are bad people so gamblers prefer to deny and lie about their addiction, they don't want to feel weak in the eyes of the people

If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time. It is not an easy decision for some of them to make, and even imagining that they will never gamble again can make it worse for them, most of them need all the support they can get to help them maintain the decision to give gambling some time away. If you criticize and mock them, they may nurse in the heart the mindset that gambling is impossible to stop, or even stop trying to stop gambling because you have already made them feel like they can never do it.

This is why I advise families of gamblers to get help from professionals so they can be guided on what to say and how they should act when their relative who is in the process of recovering should act, gamblers who wish to recover need all the help they need and they need encouraging words to combat the inner evils, the first few weeks is the hardest for the gambler and the family should be there to assist the gambler to overcome his addiction, the battle is in the mind and the only way to combat this inner evil is understanding.

[KiaKia]

Well it's not always your business to do this, in fact you could be blame for standing up for a addicted gambler, we are all humans and shit do happen among us, I will only help someone who is in the family, or someone very closed, the way you write your topic up sound like helping any one who is an addict and that's wrong.

Do you know that helping strangers who are addicted is not safe? Some gamblers don't believe that they are addicted, some don't want to change, they know they are in trouble, but they will feel relaxed since they have something else to put the blame on.

Be careful who you choose to help, unless they are very close to you or your family, don't go out there and risk yourself for an addict, sometimes it turns into your regrets, so much that you will feel like turning back the hand of time.

[Wexnident]

~

Criticism isn't anything negative really, it's pointing out someone's mistakes or wrongdoings in the most blatant manner, which can be quite helpful when it comes to people who can't seem to understand what they're doing wrong. Though I guess it depends on how someone criticizes others, well, at least that's how I take criticism that comes to me. It's honestly a lot more helpful than empty words and whatnot that seem to support my "psyche" but in reality just build up a fragile ego in me lol.

Again, this depends on a case-by-case basis though, and how the person criticizes the other party. I'd definitely take any criticism on a positive note though, taking in the mistakes they pointed out and ignoring the rest that were seemingly made just to chide me.

[panjul07]

~

Criticism isn't anything negative really, it's pointing out someone's mistakes or wrongdoings in the most blatant manner, which can be quite helpful when it comes to people who can't seem to understand what they're doing wrong. Though I guess it depends on how someone criticizes others, well, at least that's how I take criticism that comes to me. It's honestly a lot more helpful than empty words and whatnot that seem to support my "psyche" but in reality just build up a fragile ego in me lol.

Again, this depends on a case-by-case basis though, and how the person criticizes the other party. I'd definitely take any criticism on a positive note though, taking in the mistakes they pointed out and ignoring the rest that were seemingly made just to chide me.

Great points and I agree that criticism can be taken as a support as well because some times people will be more affected positively with criticism than soft advices.
Different people may have different reaction for criticism or advice so we should also know the person we are going to criticize or to advice.
If we know them personally well, we know which one will be the best thing to do to remind them.

[Peanutswar]

People have different perspectives once they know a particular person getting addicted in playing gambling, but to those people who want to help those people to change their path and that person is willing to change its self in too much gambling addiction there's nothing wrong in supporting them, they would like to change but of course they don't know where to start, having a guidance is a must or a therapy if you have a budget so they can fully recover.

Do you know that helping strangers who are addicted is not safe? Some gamblers don't believe that they are addicted, some don't want to change, they know they are in trouble, but they will feel relaxed since they have something else to put the blame on.

Those part seems like they are still in denial and keep focusing on themselves that all things are still alright, we cannot change others' perspectives if even in themselves they don't want to.

[Zoomic]

~

Criticism isn't anything negative really, it's pointing out someone's mistakes or wrongdoings in the most blatant manner, which can be quite helpful when it comes to people who can't seem to understand what they're doing wrong. Though I guess it depends on how someone criticizes others, well, at least that's how I take criticism that comes to me. It's honestly a lot more helpful than empty words and whatnot that seem to support my "psyche" but in reality just build up a fragile ego in me lol.

Again, this depends on a case-by-case basis though, and how the person criticizes the other party. I'd definitely take any criticism on a positive note though, taking in the mistakes they pointed out and ignoring the rest that were seemingly made just to chide me.

Great points and I agree that criticism can be taken as a support as well because some times people will be more affected positively with criticism than soft advices.
Different people may have different reaction for criticism or advice so we should also know the person we are going to criticize or to advice.
If we know them personally well, we know which one will be the best thing to do to remind them.

Personalities differ and people react differently to criticism. We are not talking about a gambler with a healthy lifestyle here, but an addict. Most addicts would rather choose to hide their activities from you once you begin to criticize them. When these people who obviously need help begin to feel uneasy telling all they've been through and how much properties, money and opportunities they've lost and even the debt they are struggling to settle then,it might really take time for these addicts to recover.

The best way to support an addict is by putting yourself in their shoes. This way they will trust you enough to tell you stuffs you really don't know about them and they will also trust you to follow your advice and recommendations.

Be careful who you choose to help, unless they are very close to you or your family, don't go out there and risk yourself for an addict, sometimes it turns into your regrets, so much that you will feel like turning back the hand of time.

You wouldn't know someone is addicted from afar except you are close to them to actually know the level of damage done already. Help is not offered out of coercion,  the little advice you render to that person so he doesn't get into further trouble is help. If they refuse the help you are offering, then it is not in your position to force things. Everyone should know the extent they can go when rendering help, there should be no trespassing.

[Volimack]

Helping a person addicted to gambling can bring him or her to a better position but it will take time because the addiction is not easy for people to give up. Before betting one should be careful in the beginning gambling is thought to be bad. People suffer more financially when they catch bad bets and then it affects their physical health. I also believe that people should consider how to bring them back to normal life without criticizing them.

[Mahanton]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them. If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time. It is not an easy decision for some of them to make, and even imagining that they will never gamble again can make it worse for them, most of them need all the support they can get to help them maintain the decision to give gambling some time away. If you criticize and mock them, they may nurse in the heart the mindset that gambling is impossible to stop, or even stop trying to stop gambling because you have already made them feel like they can never do it.

Empathy is not equally distributed. And in terms of gender, one gender gets more empathy than the other.  A male gambling addict on the path to recovery is likely to receive less support than his female counterpart. The male will be teased, mocked, almost insulted for towing the path of recovery. It happens every day especially in places low in empathy and emotional intelligence.

On the side of those who are on their recovery journey. Do not expect everyone to be nice to you. Do not expect that they would not mock, tease, and insult you for having the courage to fight your addiction. You should expect these things so that when they happen, you will not be disappointed. You should grow a thick-skin because that is the way you are going to beat them and overcome.

And this is the sole reason on why those gambling addicts would really be trying out to hide as much as they could on the time that they are already addicted to gambling. We do know that people around even with your closest friend or family would really be having that kind of teasing on which this is something that we do have in mind and this is why we wont really be tending to share up if we do tend to ask for some help.This is why we would really be deciding on taking it solo rather than on asking some help into those people we do know. We dont expect for any help from other people and if there's someone who would be able to see your condition
and made out some advises or any form of help then you are lucky but if someone who do love to tease and having those kind of bullying then for sure it will make things even more worst.

This is why it would really be always important that you shouldn't really be making yourself that getting addicted with gambling. You should really be playing in moderation not only on controlling
your finances but also you should be controlling your emotion and involvement of course.

[moneystery]

a gambling addict needs support from someone to be able to fight to stop himself from gambling. criticism from someone is not needed by him because it is only an obstacle for him to recover from his addiction. someone who empathizes and understands what a gambling addict feels is the best support he can get and it can help him speed up the addiction treatment process.

it's best if someone is unable to provide support, there is no need to criticize because that will only add to the person's shame and guilt. it's best to just keep quiet and let the addict try to recover from his gambling.

[Juse14]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them. If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time. It is not an easy decision for some of them to make, and even imagining that they will never gamble again can make it worse for them, most of them need all the support they can get to help them maintain the decision to give gambling some time away. If you criticize and mock them, they may nurse in the heart the mindset that gambling is impossible to stop, or even stop trying to stop gambling because you have already made them feel like they can never do it.

What was previous criticism like? because criticism is constructive, not insulting or ridiculing, if you just talk without providing a solution, that's not criticism, but just commenting. Indeed, sometimes criticism can feel harsh and slapping, because when talking about criticism we will state facts about the person we are criticizing. And criticism should be delivered wisely and with good consideration.

And when we are unable to accept criticism from other people, then don't ever hope that there will be progress within ourselves. So try to be someone who is open and able to accept all opinions and criticism that comes from anyone, and respond to all of it well, indeed sometimes when criticism comes it can feel bitter, but think of it as herbal medicine which even though it tastes bitter but it is a drug that can make us healthy.

[Ever-young]

~

Criticism isn't anything negative really, it's pointing out someone's mistakes or wrongdoings in the most blatant manner, which can be quite helpful when it comes to people who can't seem to understand what they're doing wrong. Though I guess it depends on how someone criticizes others, well, at least that's how I take criticism that comes to me. It's honestly a lot more helpful than empty words and whatnot that seem to support my "psyche" but in reality just build up a fragile ego in me lol.

Again, this depends on a case-by-case basis though, and how the person criticizes the other party. I'd definitely take any criticism on a positive note though, taking in the mistakes they pointed out and ignoring the rest that were seemingly made just to chide me.

I really don't know why people see criticism as a very bad thing, sometimes criticism works faster than advice. You can be advising someone about something, maybe a bad habit or something yet the person ignores all the advice and still continue doing what he's doing, but you'll observe that when the person starts getting criticized for that, he'll get tired of being criticized and before you know it, start effecting changes. It's very important to learn from constructive criticism rather than letting it hurt our feelings or make us feel bad about ourselves.

[aioc]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them. If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time.

Part of the recovery of gamblers is emotional support, if those who are dear to them cannot give that then their beloved gambler, his life will be wasted, and those people around them should be educated on the right way to treat gamblers who are in the process of healing, gamblers are usually sensitive people, they will not open up easily if they know they can fully trust people around them.

So criticism should have no place or come out of the mouths of people around them, or else they will keep everything to themselves and they will avoid people who criticize them on their actions.
Gamblers do not want to be judged they experience self-pity every time they lose a lot of money, they have low self-esteem so if you criticize them they will treat you as their adversary.

[Jawhead999]

There's no right or wrong answer, some people think criticism is better than support because it will make people realize faster if they were doing stupid thing and they shouldn't repeat that in the future, but some people think support is better because it need steps to steps in order to change someone.

So which ones better? support or criticize? that depends on each person.

[Woodie]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them.

Trying to snap out of this vice of gambling addiction is a long process which relies on support from family & friends, but as humans I honestly think criticism will always be there and what counts is it being positive and not negative...besides there is always going to be that person that wants to be negative about everything and it's these people you want to avoid.

If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time.

Fighting gambling addiction has to start with you first, if we are going to expect others to do it for us but don't want to put in the effort then am afraid all this will be for nothing!! And AFAIK for as long as the will power is there, not even the negative critiques can stop this as change begins with you.

[SatoPrincess]

Criticizing never helps, it will only drive the person into hiding and gambling in secret. Overcoming an addiction is not a easy task, you need all the help you can get. Support from family and friends is much needed. Even professionals recommend that the addict joins a support group where they can feel free to talk about their problem without fear of being judged. Being in a room with people who have been where you are and understand your situation plays a major role in helping the addict recover. Seeing others overcome the same problem you’re fighting is a great motivation.

[teamsherry]

If you know anybody trying to stop the addiction of gambling to become better for themselves and their family, try and show them support by not criticizing them. If you observe that they experience some kind of relapse and go back to gamble even when they said they were not going to gamble, try to encourage them to remember why they wanted to stop gambling for the time. It is not an easy decision for some of them to make, and even imagining that they will never gamble again can make it worse for them, most of them need all the support they can get to help them maintain the decision to give gambling some time away. If you criticize and mock them, they may nurse in the heart the mindset that gambling is impossible to stop, or even stop trying to stop gambling because you have already made them feel like they can never do it.

The truth is that, overcoming gambling addiction is an individual decision and those around can only support the individual to become better.

Problems that have not been accepted can not be addressed, most gamblers don't want to accept that they have a gambling addiction problem and they just give themselves stupid excuses that makes them feel better, and some of them are quite stubborn and won't accept your advice if you try to point it out to them they might get into an argument with you especially if they know that your also gamble like them.

Criticizing isn't a good practice at all cause, not everyone is happy with their habit and might be looking for a means to stop it, so what I actually do myself is to be plain with them I'll tell them the effects of their habit on their finance and how it's ruined them, I just keep pointing out the bad side to them and at times mostly not direct so it doesn't look like I am insulting them, then I offer to be of help is I see a sign of them weakend by my speach, if you really want to be of help I think you must tell them the truth not to criticize but to show them that they are wrong.

[uneng]

You have to balance criticism with support. To only go for one or another is a bad idea, because or it will put the addicted individual in a hostile position towards you and the treatment, or it will put him in a comfort zone where he will feel like no effort and changes should be done by him, because he is going to be supported in every cases.

Support must be offered when he adopts positive instances towards the treatment, so you use support as encouragement, reinforcement. On the other hand, criticism can be used when you feel like the addicted person is getting too loose, and retreating on his progress, so you use this as punishment.

You have to know when to use both of them in a way the gambler won't understand support as a reinforcement to his addiction. That would be devastating, and actually that is the problem with every permissive socities.

[ryzaadit]

Based on how experience and case from most people in gambling.

In first place, the family are supporting any victim or gambler addiction. However, the former gambler addiction sometimes doing the same things again and repeated the cycle. It's hard but in the end the family or people had enough for him.

To be honest, It's really hard especially while they already started to do a crime, borrowing money, or selling some stuff.

[ChiBitCTy]

Very good topic and well said.  I hate when people get bashed over stuff like this, as so many people simply have no compassion.  Gambling addiction is a disease, plain and simply.

It's sort of like in the Netherlands ( I believe thats where it is).  Criminals (no hardcore, ie not murderers) I reformed in jail.  Taught to learn from their mistakes, understand why they made them, and work towards not making them again.  Stark contract from jail here in the US where you'll be raped, treated like shit, and given few opportunities to better yourself. 

Damming and shaming people does not help.  Support and education does!