I just lost a friend to gambling addict this recently

[Dogedegen]

So those who are already financially ok can also be trapped in gambling? Someone I knew who was doing ok with his wife and children has turned into a begger all of a sudden, I rendered help few times and I started asking questions in my headlike what's going on?

It turned out that this guy have lost everything to gambling, set of chair, 47" Miniled TV, his cars and many other useful appliances, this is just in a year and half,

I have always advive those who don't have a source of income to fix the problem first before they turn into a gambler, but I don't even know that someone who is already making good amount of money can get this addicted to gambling.

What more are you looking for I asked him, he can't even answer, and I don't want to judge him, now is business is empty, his kids are not going to school anymore because of school fees and the wife is crying, the distancing and lack of communication have made this possible, because if we still talks I might have stopped him one way or another.

Must we turn gambling to our source of income? I don't understand, like is it a must to make money via gambling? Because if entertainment is everything why are people spending too much on gambling?

Becareful with gambling even though you are doing well for yourself, it doesn't take anything to turn your life upside down if you let it.

People sometimes mistakenly think that addiction only comes in a certain way, gradually and sometimes even that it can not happen to them. This is one of the reasons why people do risky behaviors and indulge in them too often, because they believe that some terrible stories could never happen to them. But the reality of these topics is nothing like that, addiction comes in many shapes and forms but also at different speeds. Some cases are very fast, where people start doing some action like gambling only recently and quickly it spiraled out of control and they destroyed their life. People that have these mistaken beliefs also can find themselves at a disadvantage because one day you were having a normal life, a few days later you have lost a big amount of money in total. You refuse to accept this and then you try to gamble more to fix this, so you don't take responsibility for your errors. And we all know well what happens when you start gambling this way, you lose even more and then it goes out of control.

Whatever income someone has or whatever their finances are, people should never gamble in significant amounts of money in respect to their finances or in significant amounts of time. Be safe, don't act too casually because one day this sad story could be you or someone you know about!

[Majestic-milf]

When you've got enough funds and lack control, you'd always feel that everything is in order and there's nothing to deplete your stock but I less than no time, everything can go from bad to worse. The sad thing with gambling addicts is that when you're trying to help them while it's early but they will keep thinking they're in control till they're not.

That’s why it’s always impossible to help anyone who’s suffering from gambling addiction except of course they are actually willing to be helped. A gambling addict who still feels like they’re in control while in reality they’re losing control already can be really difficult to be helped. In fact, sometimes they can even become annoyed or even hostile, and the only way to help such a person is to make them realize by themselves how much they really need help.

Yeah, true. That's why I feel that the most irritated person is a gambler who once had plenty but because of compulsion and lack of control, lost all. Even gambling houses that urge users to gamble responsibly are aware that the chances of one being a responsible gambler are low that's why we see more establishments coming up so it's left for the person to help themselves. Seek advice when you fell it has gotten out of control.

[famososMuertos]

OP: Fortunately, from what I understand, your friend is alive, which is a positive thing, given the typical nature of these situations. But it's difficult for his loved ones. It's a mental illness like any other, and the problem with these people is that their close relatives suffer the most.
The situation is simply, there's no cure for it; it's like depression or schizophrenia. It must be treated with medication and a lot of family support.

The questions you ask are common-sense answers that any person in their right mind could surely answer completely.

[Dogedegen]

OP: Fortunately, from what I understand, your friend is alive, which is a positive thing, given the typical nature of these situations. But it's difficult for his loved ones. It's a mental illness like any other, and the problem with these people is that their close relatives suffer the most.
The situation is simply, there's no cure for it; it's like depression or schizophrenia. It must be treated with medication and a lot of family support.

The questions you ask are common-sense answers that any person in their right mind could surely answer completely.

You are correct to point out that the close relatives suffer the most, actually many people let addicts and other bad individuals do too much damage so they tolerate it too long which makes it only worse. They think this is the right action because of their love or past relationship, but this is never the correct answer. We must protect ourselves and our loved ones, and sometimes it will mean quickly distancing yourself from such people. You can't really help someone who does not want to be helped, you can only hurt yourself trying to do that but you won't achieve anything.

For the second part of your post I do not know why you started talking about medication because it is not true. Medication is not consider the primary treatment protocol for gambling disorders. Even if they are used in some specific cases where gambling comes at the same time with other conditions like depression, it is not right to write that it is treated with medication. It is more often with stuff like cognitive behavior therapy, support groups and counseling and not medication.

[laijsica]

So those who are already financially ok can also be trapped in gambling? Someone I knew who was doing ok with his wife and children has turned into a begger all of a sudden, I rendered help few times and I started asking questions in my headlike what's going on?

I have never seen any gamblers who have become beggar after losing in gambling. I have seen gamblers who have made large bets and regret it and I have also faced such problems repeatedly. The number of gamblers who have gone bankrupt in gambling may not be very high. Many people who gamble uncontrollably become addicted or in debt.

Financially well off people may have multiple sources of income and if they lose a large amount of money in gambling, it does not affect them much because they have the money available. On the other hand if a low income gambler loses in a single bet beyond their financial capacity, the negative effects spread throughout the society and fall on their family.

[TheUltraElite]

OP: Fortunately, from what I understand, your friend is alive, which is a positive thing, given the typical nature of these situations. But it's difficult for his loved ones. It's a mental illness like any other, and the problem with these people is that their close relatives suffer the most.
The situation is simply, there's no cure for it; it's like depression or schizophrenia. It must be treated with medication and a lot of family support.

True, because gambling is common and gambling addiction too, people tend to think it is not a problem. But identifying this problem is the first step is controlling it. Hence being able to see through your addiction as this being a problem is the first step. Once they do it, they will start to question how much they could have saved by not gambling and thereafter be able to control their habit.

The people who are readily able to recognize this and stop are rare. Most people start with denial of the addiction, they should be given time to respond and eventually supported to come out of the addiction.

[Jody.Drummer]

OP: Fortunately, from what I understand, your friend is alive, which is a positive thing, given the typical nature of these situations. But it's difficult for his loved ones. It's a mental illness like any other, and the problem with these people is that their close relatives suffer the most.
The situation is simply, there's no cure for it; it's like depression or schizophrenia. It must be treated with medication and a lot of family support.

True, because gambling is common and gambling addiction too, people tend to think it is not a problem. But identifying this problem is the first step is controlling it. Hence being able to see through your addiction as this being a problem is the first step. Once they do it, they will start to question how much they could have saved by not gambling and thereafter be able to control their habit.

The people who are readily able to recognize this and stop are rare. Most people start with denial of the addiction, they should be given time to respond and eventually supported to come out of the addiction.

Realizing that we are addicted is a good thing, because with that I think individuals who are addicted should be able to think that they should immediately stay away from gambling with the intention of recovering from addiction, addiction that has happened but left alone will not disappear by itself so the individual must be able to fight it. Or as you say by looking at addiction as a problem then it should be solved by finding a way out and even if it is still gambling but there are limits set primarily in terms of money used to gamble.

[Julien_Olynpic]

These unfortunate consequences arise from the inexperience and naivety of many players, who automatically transfer the realities of business to gambling and believe that making money in gambling is as easy as in business. Although, to be fair, it must be said that making money in business is also difficult. But no matter how difficult business is to make money, gambling will always be more challenging. Even experienced sports bettors find it almost impossible to make money. And what can we say about beginners? Unfortunately, people have to pay for their mistakes.

[ruykeri]

OP, you are absolutely right. It doesn't take long for those who start seeing gambling addiction and gambling as a source of continuous income to ruin their lives and family's financial well-being. Out of anger, they start betting more aggressively and suffer big losses from which they cannot recover. Their lives are completely ruined. This has a negative impact on their close people, family and children.

Such an incident happened in our area. The man was doing business and was doing very well with his children. Suddenly he became addicted to gambling. He got into a lot of debt. The people from whom he had taken the loan came to his house and started pressuring him. they started misbehaving. This went on for about 2 years. After he and his family endured for about 2 years, at one point the man could not bear the mental pain and the pain of his children and committed suicide. Which was really very sad. So I think gambling should always be for entertainment purposes only. If anyone thinks of anything else beyond this, it will destroy them financially and mentally.

[viljy]

Alas, situations like the one described by OP are not uncommon. Often, people who were previously successful or appeared to be successful become addicted to gambling. This is a combination of two factors: the perception of gambling as a means to wealth and the individual's weak character.

However, it is possible to address this issue at an early stage if there is someone (a family member or friend) who can encourage the gambler to take a step back and evaluate their situation objectively. In cases where the situation has gone so far that a person is selling their household items for the sake of gambling, medical intervention and treatment by a doctor are already required.

[junder]

Honestly I myself admit to having experienced gambling addiction and yes it is a very stupid phase for myself because I desperately pursue victory that is uncertain until I dare to do something that should not be like selling my own assets just to gamble with the aim of getting a victory.

And I feel lucky because I didn't get to strers or end my life and I was able to recover from the addiction, which is an achievement in my opinion.

I hope those who are out there are still addicted hopefully they can quickly realize that excessive gambling is not good and immediately fix everything.

[Pi-network314159]

The Truth of this matter is that the person is question have to work on himself, because despite what we say here it can not change anything, all you have to do is to advise him, I even doubt if he will answer you since he is already addicted. But nevertheless you are not going to stop, tell him about the situation he has kept his wife and kids, tell him about what he once dreamt to become and what he has currently became, tell him about his parents, how he planned to make them proud and what he later became. That can he be able to make his mum proud with this kind of lifestyle? There are things you tell an addict that makes him change even though he didn't want to. Advise sometimes changes a lot about someone.

[fruktik]

In this case, it's important to persuade the person to seek treatment at a clinic that specializes in such problems. Only there can they determine the real cause and prescribe the right treatment and recovery. I've seen more than one case where this has truly become a radical solution to gambling addiction for addicts. I wouldn't ignore this approach. The player's loved ones should also encourage them to follow this path and properly explain the need for outside intervention.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

In this case, it's important to persuade the person to seek treatment at a clinic that specializes in such problems. Only there can they determine the real cause and prescribe the right treatment and recovery. I've seen more than one case where this has truly become a radical solution to gambling addiction for addicts. I wouldn't ignore this approach. The player's loved ones should also encourage them to follow this path and properly explain the need for outside intervention.

But this is only if the victim is truly addicted to gambling anyway, because like I did mentioned or said in my last comment on this thread, it's not every one that loses everything he or she has or had is a gambling addict, even if he or she lost everything to or while gambling, that still does not mean that the person is addicted to gambling..

Way back 2022, I lost my entire life savings to betting, when I say life savings, I don't mean the money I saved in the bank alone, I mean both money I had in the bank, money that came from my business which I was supposed to use to buy goods to restock the business, and every penny I ever invested/held in crypto, I wanted a very big win for once since i started gambling/betting and to achieve this, I had to also go big for once as well, thinking I've found a sure game through which I can achieve this, I (with boldness) went all in with everything I had, but unfortunately, the game didn't go as I thought it would, my whole money was gone, I returned back to zero to start afresh again, was I addicted to gambling then? The answer is "No", I wasn't addicted to gambling but I still lost everything.

[Charcol]

One of the most dangerous aspects of gambling is that it can quickly devastate not only the poor or unemployed but also those with good incomes, businesses, and even the rich if they cannot control themselves. The problem is that gambling is not considered entertainment, but a means of income, and they try unsuccessfully to recover their losses. Once a gambler thinks about getting their money back, they end up losing everything, including their TV, car, and business, in an attempt to recover.

[knuckey]

The most dangerous thing about gambling is when we lose control. I often encounter two reasons why someone loses themselves in gambling. First, revenge. Second, over-ambition for a big win. They think the next win will make them rich. But it actually leads to disaster. That happened to your friend, too. That's what I read.

[TedMosby]

[...]
Must we turn gambling to our source of income? I don't understand, like is it a must to make money via gambling? Because if entertainment is everything why are people spending too much on gambling?
[...]

IMO, most gamblers don't initially start gambling to make money seriously, especially if the gambler comes from a stable financial background. In many cases, it starts as gambling for fun and entertainment purposes, but due to some reasons, like bad things happening in life, chasing losses, a big win that makes them overconfident, they become more hardcore in gambling. The triggers could be anything, like increasing household needs, sudden life changes caused by life events, ego, anything. Seeing the problem, we probably can judge him this and that, but if his problem happened to us, there's no guarantee we could survive it. We might end up in an even worse scenario.

There's no control anymore in addiction. He's also the victim of his own mistakes. He needs professional help. You or his close ones should find help before the worst scenario happens. Financial hardship, gambling, domestic violence, and s**cide can sometimes become interconnected. However, based on your post, it's probably a dilemma because you are in an awkward position as a friend who is not that close anymore. But I think you can still help by finding help from related organizations, even if it's just in the form of a report to them so they can follow up on it.

[davis196]

I have always advive those who don't have a source of income to fix the problem first before they turn into a gambler, but I don't even know that someone who is already making good amount of money can get this addicted to gambling.

Some people are more susceptible to addiction than others. That's how their brain works. Even rich people can ruin their lives with gambling.
Sorry about your friend. What do you mean by "I just lost a friend"? Is he dead? If he's alive, then there's still hope. He could recover from his addiction eventually. Do you mean that he is not your friend anymore? This could make things worse. Gambling addicts need support from friends and family. Another problem for addicts is that they lose motivation to go to work and earn money, because their brain is so focused on  thoughts related to their addiction. I hope that your friend recovers from this awful mental condition.

[Outhue]

If anyone is looking forward to become a gambler they should always look around them first, if they are married they should be extremely careful because if anything happens it will affect the family first, it's greediness to think about yourself alone when you have a family to take care of.

A single person is free to do what they like with gambling, even if they later turned into a addicted gambler they will go down alone, I don't like seeing a whole family crumble because the man choose to become an addicted gambler, this person that OP is talking about mighty never find a solution out of this problem, I have uncles that were gambling addicts when I was young and till now they have not escape the damages that gambling have done to their lives.

[Bigjoe33]

Must we turn gambling to our source of income? I don't understand, like is it a must to make money via gambling? Because if entertainment is everything why are people spending too much on gambling?

That's the main problem. Must we see gambling as a source of income? If you are getting income already, why add gambling to it again? Why see it as a means of getting back your income from your daily expenses?

This where addiction steps in, and we have seen how dangerous addiction can be from your story and so many others out there. And the more problem is, people hear of all this, and they still stay put, gambling everyday as if there lives depends on it. Untill we see gambling as just fun, and also a loss of money means, we can't think well and do it rightly.