Why those who are addicted to gambling are always aggressive?

[LogitechMouse]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

Your friend is struggling internally, and that shows on how aggressive he is when it comes to gambling-related conversations.

I've seen it happened already because there's an addicted gambler here in our area as well and whenever they will talk to him, whether it's gambling-related or not, he's answering with a very angry tone. That attitude shows that gambling is affecting him internally. Speaking of struggling, there are many reasons as to why gambling addicts sound like they're aggressive. Things like:
- They're financially and emotionally struggling especially when they lose consecutive times. That creates financial pressure as well.
- Defensiveness and being shamed. Being aggressive for some gambling addicts is kind of like their defensive reaction to other people
- Withdrawal-like symptoms. When they lose money, sometimes they release what they feel in a way that it looks like aggressive to others.

If I'm in your shoes, no I will not talk to him, but I'm not in a position as well where I will decide on whether I'll allow him to gamble or not. I'll let him decide for himself, and what I always believe is that at one point, the gambling addict will soon realize his mistakes and wrongdoings.

[jvanname]

Your friend is struggling internally, and that shows on how aggressive he is when it comes to gambling-related conversations.

I've seen it happened already because there's an addicted gambler here in our area as well and whenever they will talk to him, whether it's gambling-related or not, he's answering with a very angry tone. That attitude shows that gambling is affecting him internally. Speaking of struggling, there are many reasons as to why gambling addicts sound like they're aggressive. Things like:
- They're financially and emotionally struggling especially when they lose consecutive times. That creates financial pressure as well.
- Defensiveness and being shamed. Being aggressive for some gambling addicts is kind of like their defensive reaction to other people
- Withdrawal-like symptoms. When they lose money, sometimes they release what they feel in a way that it looks like aggressive to others.

If I'm in your shoes, no I will not talk to him, but I'm not in a position as well where I will decide on whether I'll allow him to gamble or not. I'll let him decide for himself, and what I always believe is that at one point, the gambling addict will soon realize his mistakes and wrongdoings.

Nobody is struggling internally. Some people are just worthless pieces of shit. Actually, almost everyone I encounter is a worthless piece of shit.

Regards,

-Joseph Van Name Ph.D.

[DabsPoorVersion]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

If I were in your situation, I can't simply stop him to gamble, I am also not expecting that my repeated lectures to change his behavior. But even if that's the case, I would keep talking to him. If the repeated lectures is not working, maybe a different approach can get to him. Like trying to have a calm conversation about the way I see his actions when it comes to gambling. In this approach, the main purpose is for him to reflect his actions, and not to make him feel I was right all the time.

The hard part in this situation is you can't actually force someone to change the way you want it. Especially, if the person comes to the point where he rejects your lectures, stopping with the arguement is the best thing to do. In this kind of situation, setting boundaries can help, such as not helping him in terms of lending money or covering his debts. Just letting him know that you are always available for conversation if he ever needs one.

[jvanname]

If I were in your situation, I can't simply stop him to gamble, I am also not expecting that my repeated lectures to change his behavior. But even if that's the case, I would keep talking to him. If the repeated lectures is not working, maybe a different approach can get to him. Like trying to have a calm conversation about the way I see his actions when it comes to gambling. In this approach, the main purpose is for him to reflect his actions, and not to make him feel I was right all the time.

The hard part in this situation is you can't actually force someone to change the way you want it. Especially, if the person comes to the point where he rejects your lectures, stopping with the arguement is the best thing to do. In this kind of situation, setting boundaries can help, such as not helping him in terms of lending money or covering his debts. Just letting him know that you are always available for conversation if he ever needs one.

No. People should not be friends with worthless pieces of shit. People should instead try to avoid worthless pieces of shit as much as they possibly can.

[Samlucky O]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

Well I think why gamblers are always aggressive or aggetated to people when they are Been correct is simply because they are losing more than they win, and a loser is always angry expecialy when they are been advised. If they are winning and they are advised, they wouldn't pick much offense because they are on a wining side. Not only in Gambling but in whatever we do, sine it's not working in line with our agenda but we somehow force it to happen and people begin to advise us, we feel angry and ashamed, because your weakness has been tampered with.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

Actually advice is not a curse, but If I do and he didn't listen, I will allow him do what pleases him afterall his an adult that can take full responsibility of his actions.

[SatoPrincess]

If I recognise that my friend is in danger even though he claims that he is not, I will do everything I can to help him overcome his gambling problem. At that point, I’d call for an intervention - invite his family and other close friends to come talk to him because it takes a village to save an addict. I believe when he sees that everyone he loves is concerned about his gambling, he may be convinced to see a professional about it.

[Dave1]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

Self-denial. That kind of attitude of addicted gamblers, that they don't that they are still in control of their decision and what not. But if someone from the outside looks as it, their decision are clouded and that's why they look very dangerous. And it's very hard to really talk to them about their addiction.

I have a friend like this, but they put him in a very uncomfortable situation. They lure the addicted gambler and says that they are going into vacation. But then they did go to a gambling rehab. And so the man has no choice but to enter. Good thing is that they were able to convince him right at the spot and so to make the story short, after more than 6 months inside the rehab he was out and never gamble again.

Might not work for other gambling addicts though as they react differently specially when their back is against the wall.

[fruktik]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

What's the point of discussing gambling with an addict? Of course, they'll be aggressive during the conversation. It can't be otherwise. It's important to convince them that they need professional help. They must acknowledge their problem themselves. Only then will they begin to get on the right path to recovery. Anything else only makes things worse. I've been through the same thing myself. Until I realized I needed outside intervention, nothing else worked.

[OsaiEmma]

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

I don't know man... I'm not gonna lie, I've never been in such situation before. I'll talk to you seriously, but if I see you're being too stubborn and probably a bit violent or too defensive in the discussion, then I won't talk to you about it too seriously anymore; I'd probably be dropping some snarky remarks every now and then just to make you take a breather and have some self reflection in your habit.

Honestly, I won't necessarily take it too much upon myself unless we do share a very close bond.

[swogerino]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

That is the normal reaction of an addicted person in my opinion. It is the same when we try to bring to their senses people who drink a lot of alcohol, they will react the same way as that is the reaction of a person who knows is in the wrong yet they don't want to accept this fact. This does not mean that we should not continue to talk to them as the more talk by friends and relatives the higher the chances to stop them from falling even further into addiction.

[viljy]

Aggression during such conversations is a characteristic symptom of addiction. It is possible to explain this by the fact that a dependent person experiences some internal contradiction. He is aware of what he is doing and that it is harming him (he is losing money), but he cannot stop because he wants to win back.

He hopes to solve all the problems with one big win. And when other people point out his weakness and false hopes to him, of course, it annoys him. Because in his eyes they are trying to destroy his hope (he may perceive it that way). That's about how I would explain aggressiveness (in a simple way, without medical reasoning).

[Frankolala]

Your is even better because he still comes around you or probably, you guys see often. My colleague at work wouldn't even come close to you anymore the moment you tell him to stop gambling because he has been eaten deep by addiction all in the name of winning back his losses. I talked to him twice, and he distance himself from me. What about those addicted gamblers that will argue with you that they're not addicted, what will you do about them.

[Jostern]

Actually advice isn’t a curse, when you advice your friend about being addicted to gambling, and your friend refuses to listen to you about gambling addiction, what else can you do if not to leave them alone, sometimes I think that the best advice is the one that you gave yourself, there are people who have also learnt something about gambling addiction, they’re the once that advised themselves to stop and control themselves, most people become angry and aggressive when they have encountered some looses, when you advice them and they refuse you have to respect yourself and leave them alone.

[Nrcewker]

I am not supporting gambling addiction, but I don’t think it is appropriate to stereotype people with gambling addiction as aggressive. I understand that gambling can be stressful because it involves our hard earned money, and the risk of losing it can make people irritated. On top of that if someone starts confronting them about their addiction while they are already under stress, it is natural that some people may react aggressively.

However, not everyone responds the same way. People who are mature enough may listen to others’ suggestions and respond calmly. Instead of pointing out them it is better to help them understand the harmful effects of gambling through the support of family and friends and guide them on how to control their gambling habits.

I believe that every person is good within them. If they are treated with genuine love, patience, and care many of them will be willing to listen without becoming aggressive.

[Sammye3]

If I recognise that my friend is in danger even though he claims that he is not, I will do everything I can to help him overcome his gambling problem. At that point, I’d call for an intervention - invite his family and other close friends to come talk to him because it takes a village to save an addict. I believe when he sees that everyone he loves is concerned about his gambling, he may be convinced to see a professional about it.

This is the true definition of friendship, not one that thrives only in the good times but also one that supports and advices during the bad times. Gambling addicts are completely aware of the dangers of their actions but it's more like gambling is crested in their DNA now and the brain keeps confusing them that they need to do it even when the heart says otherwise.

So during these times, the best gift that gambler needs is a clear headed friend that would take them out of that shithole so they dont drown deeper in their mess. Like you mentioned, calling family and friends, seeking for therapy sessions and probably keep the mind busy with creative stuffs.

[Jaweria parveen]

That is the normal reaction of an addicted person in my opinion. It is the same when we try to bring to their senses people who drink a lot of alcohol, they will react the same way as that is the reaction of a person who knows is in the wrong yet they don't want to accept this fact. This does not mean that we should not continue to talk to them as the more talk by friends and relatives the higher the chances to stop them from falling even further into addiction.

This effect is also bad and it is more dangerous than alcohol. When alcohol is consumed, the person becomes intoxicated and does not care about the world and its pressures, but when someone gambles and loses, he remains under pressure and feels very lonely. Gambling should be limited to a certain time so that it does not become a habit and our mental health will also be better. Gambling automatically attracts people and people also lose themselves in the cycle of gambling. Gambling never allows anyone's pocket to increase or decrease, so playing gambling is not beneficial for the common people. Physical gambling and digital gambling always change the minds of people, so gamblers always remain angry and lose.

[TopTort777]

Addicted to gambling are always aggressive because their life is full of problems. Starting from where to get money to play, eat, pay bill. Ending with they understand they are in gambling trouble, but they cant stop it. They are under stress all the time. While playing and while not playing. Who would not be aggressive with such endless combo of problems? People also bother them by trying to teach how to live and what to do.

[Dunamisx]

An addicted Gambler will be always aggressive because he will find it difficult to achieve his goal in gambling, people like that are more interested to gamble to earn, while the more they are striving to win or struggling to recover their losses, the more the discover that this isn't that easy to achieve, instead they are getting more complicated scenario over the incidence of losses, this alone is worth getting angry at, because addiction does not make you a good Gambler that will place you on a better winning edge.

[Outhue]

I am trying to get something straight for here about those who are addicted to gambling do have same characteristics? I have a friend who is so much attached to gambling and everyone around him knows it was an addiction and when they try to talk to him in regarding the way and manned he is putting much interest to gambling he picks offences and stops to be talking to people because they are like trying to make him understand that his gambling habits is becoming excessive.

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

The aggressive part in your topic isn't showing up in your explanation, just because this person decided to avoid people who are talking him out of gambling doesn't make him aggressive. I thought you are about to say that he became aggressive right after he lost everything to gambling, this is something I've seen happened to some addicted gamblers.

They ended up losing their cool, they are always in angry mood simply because they are in pain after losing alot to gambling, this behaviour is very common, it's all they can do since they can't turn back the hands of time, they are consumed with regrets which forcefully push out that angry feeling.

[DanWalker]

If it was you would keep talking to him to reduce how he keeps gambling or you would allow him to continue gambling? And even if he is not paying attention to you?

If you are sure that he is really suffering from gambling addiction then rather than giving advice, change your own behavior a little.

You may know that main characteristic of addiction is that the affected person does not want to admit it as his problem.
So if you repeatedly say the same thing that he does not like, it is natural that he will take it as personal attack.

I would rather keep the door open but not enable it. That is, if you lend him money or promise to compensate him for his losses then you will prolong his addiction. His change only begin when he himself feel the real cost of his losses. So, without applying pressure, you should set boundaries and be by his side when he himself ask for help, this is the more effective method, imo.