How To Tell your family about your gambling problem.
If you have a gambling addiction, the thought of telling your family is just as frightening as quitting.When the conversation is over, you will no longer have to hide your problem from your family.Your family will be better equipped to help you through your recovery if they understand what you are going through.
Step 1: Decide what to say.
Before you start talking to your family, it's a good idea to have a plan for what you want to say.This will help you remember to say what's on your mind.When you have a conversation with your family, you may want to bring some notes with you.The notes will help keep you on track when you get emotional.Writing out a script and practicing ahead of time will help you if you accidentally say something bad to your family.
Step 2: There is a plan for recovery.
If your family knows that you are going to do something about your gambling addiction, you will have a better conversation.Before you talk to your family, make a plan for how you will stop gambling.You can either see a therapist or go to an addiction treatment center.There are many support groups for gamblers.Many people with gambling addictions also suffer from mood disorders or other mental health issues, so medications like mood stabilizers or antidepressants may help you combat your addiction.
Step 3: Children's ages and maturity levels should be adjusted.
If you have children or other young relatives in your family, you should give them as much information as possible.Young children may lack the maturity to understand the nuances of addiction, while teenagers are fully capable of understanding a gambling addiction and may feel insulted if you try to leave them in the dark.Younger children may not know what a gambling addiction is.It's good to make them understand that you're trying to solve a problem.Older children may blame themselves for your addiction, so be sure to let them know that it is not their fault.
Step 4: Tell one person first.
It is possible to tell one family member about your addiction before everyone else.If you are worried that some members of your family will react badly, this person can help.Pick someone who is likely to be understanding and supportive.This person can help you come up with a recovery plan.If you don't know what kind of treatment you should pursue, ask this person for help so that you can present a plan to the rest of your family.
Step 5: Explain what you are going through.
Gambling lacks the chemical dependency of other addictions like alcohol or drugs, making it hard for people to understand it as an addiction.You may need to explain to your family how gambling makes you feel and why you can't stop.You can say what an addiction feels like.It may be difficult for someone who does not have an addiction to understand, but I feel unable to stop myself from gambling even though I know I shouldn't do it.I want to get back the happy feeling I had when I was gambling because I feel bad afterwards.If your family does not understand why you can't stop gambling, try not to get angry.They may need more time to understand the addiction.
Step 6: Be honest.
You have an opportunity to come clean to your family about everything you have been hiding.It's important that they know the truth, so always be honest, even though some of the things you have to tell them may upset them.In order to shelter your family, avoid minimizing the severity of your addiction.In order to help you, they need to know the true extent of your problem."You may already know that I have lost a lot of money, but there is something else that you don't know, and I know it will be very upsetting to your family," you can say if you need to share something particularly upsetting.
Step 7: Apologize for hurting them.
If your gambling addiction has had a negative effect on your family, you should apologize and acknowledge it.It's important for your family to know that you regret your actions, because there is no way to change the past.Say something like, "I understand that my addiction has caused you pain and I am sorry for that" to let them know that you recognize the impact it has had on them.
Step 8: Prepare to answer questions.
It's important to be open with your family when you tell them you have a gambling addiction.It's important to keep in mind that your family may have very little knowledge about addictions, so they may ask questions that seem to have obvious answers to you.When your addiction started, how often you gamble, and why are probably some of the questions they will ask you.They may ask you questions about your finances, which may be uncomfortable, but try to be open and honest.
Step 9: Talk about your problems with your friends.
If you have any family members who help you with your gambling addiction, you need to talk to them about what they can do to stop.If you have a tradition of going to Las Vegas with your sister every year, you may have to tell her that you can't.Contributers often don't know they are enabling.In order to help them understand, you may need to spell out the behaviors that cause you to gamble.
Step 10: Ask for help.
If you live together, your family might be able to help you overcome your gambling addiction.Ask them to help you if you don't know what kind of support you need.If you are trying to stop gambling, you might want to ask a family member to manage your money.You will not be tempted to gamble if your family keeps you busy with activities.If you feel the need to gamble, your family may be able to help you fight the urge.Before you start doing this, you should talk to your family.
Step 11: Talk about making money back.
If your gambling has caused financial harm to your family, you will need to begin repairing your relationship with them.Tell them about the effects your gambling has had on the family's finances and how you plan to make it right.Let your family know that you will rebuild the family finances after you stop gambling.They can help you develop a plan to meet your financial goals.If you are financially dependent on each other, make a list of your gambling debts and share it with your family.This will help your family understand the extent of your addiction and how it will affect them.If you stole money from your family to support your gambling addiction, you should calculate how much you owe them.If you take accountability for your debts, your family will understand that you are serious about paying them back.
Step 12: Work on reestablishing trust.
Your gambling addiction has caused harm to you and your family.You should talk about how you plan to regain your family's trust and what you want your role in the family to look like during this conversation.Let your family know what you plan on doing differently in the future if your addiction caused you to be abusive or neglectful.Ask your family for feedback.They might have ideas on how to get their trust back.Don't get discouraged if someone in your family reacts negatively to your confession.They may need more time to rebuild their relationship with you.
Step 13: Family counseling is something to consider.
If your family is struggling to understand your addiction, you may want to try family counseling.A professional therapist can teach you and your family how to talk about your addiction in a healthy way and help you repair your relationship.You could invite them to support group meetings with you.They can build a better understanding of what a gambling addiction is and how to get help.