Problem Gambling - A Guide for Families (PDF) - ProblemGambling.ca

Getting Help
Counselling can also:
• help you understand the things that seem out of control
• help you decide what actions to take
• give practical information about dealing with money problems
• link you to credit counselling, legal services and other resources
• help you understand and reduce the triggers for your family
member’s gambling
• get information about services in your community
• help you manage stress, anxiety and depression
• help you see that you are not alone.
How Can Counselling Help the Person
Who Gambles
Counselling cannot make the person with gambling problems
change. Only he or she can do that.
At first, many people do not want to stop or change their gambling.
Instead, they may go to counselling to get help with
money or family problems. Through counselling, they learn
that their gambling is a problem.
The counsellor will give information, advice and support. This
will help the person see that gambling causes harm, and decide
what to do about it. The counsellor will probably encourage
the person to take a break from gambling, so he or she can get
gambling under control and see what harm it is causing.
Counselling can help your family member:
• find healthy alternatives to gambling
• identify his or her gambling triggers
• identify false beliefs that may cause problems
• find ways to cope with the urge to gamble.
Counselling works best when the whole family pulls together
and supports each other. This is why help is available to all
members of the family.
Counselling
works best
when the
whole family
pulls together
and supports
each other.
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