“For a player with problems, the desire to give up gambling should come from the inside” – psychologist Cristina Anghel, ROMBET consultant
Developing responsible gaming programs remains a priority for the ROMBET Association for 2016. Towards the end of last year, ROMBET began its collaboration with psychologist Cristina Anghel, and, shortly, it will also have a dedicated phone line for all those interested, players with problems, their family members or friends. On that line, people will be able to discuss with the psychologist about their gambling issues and they can, at the same time, schedule two evaluation sessions free of charge.
Here is the second part of our interview with Mrs. Cristina Anghel, psychologist, the ROMBET consultant in this field.
➤ What are the chances for a player with problems to be sensitive to rational arguments, such as: you should take a break, you should spend more time with your family, you should understand that gambling is not a way to get rich?
In time, the player with problems gets farther and farther from reality, he can no longer keep his impulse to play under control, he gives up other activities and becomes “insensitive” to “rational” arguments coming from his family, friends, those around him about limiting the time and amounts of money dedicated to gambling.
Gambling becomes the center of all his preoccupations, nothing else matters for the pathological player. The attitude towards a problematic player should comprise at the same time compassion and firmness. It is important that the family members communicate to the person concerned what they feel and how gambling affects their family. The sooner the intervention, the bigger the chances for success, for bringing back the player to the “entertainment game” area, or, for the pathological cases, for total giving up on the game.
➤ We all know it is a lot easier to “prevent” than to “treat”. How can we prevent the players or those who, without being players, should be educated about the risks of this activity?
As primary prevention, informative lectures are recommended, possibly accompanied by videos on gambling by which to provide information about the game and about the risks associated with this activity. It is also recommended to present the strategies to be followed for acquiring control over the urge to play. It should be explained very clearly that gambling is not a way “to make money”, that it is not an investment, and that players should never try to recover their losses. Gambling should be regarded as a form of entertainment, which involves a cost, similar to the cost of a cinema ticket or a dinner at the restaurant with friends. This “cost” is the sum of money we set, and more importantly, we can afford to spend for the game. Specialists recommend for prevention to be done before getting in contact with the game for the first time, so that those who want to gamble can take this decision “knowingly”. This is what is called, in consecrated terms, “informed decisions”. In the case of those who already are players, the risks and negative consequences of excessive gambling should be presented when it stops being a means of entertainments , socializing and leisure, as well as the methods for mastering self-control during the game.
➤ How can we support the families of those with gambling problems? Many times the relatives are those who come to you, and not the players themselves…
Turning to a specialized treatment program is, in fact, the best way the family or close friends can help a person dealing with this situation. The benefits are greater when the persons wanting to help the pathological player understand that giving up gambling is not a question of choice or will, and that the problem won’t just be solved by itself at some point…
What is extremely important is for the family members not to let the situation overwhelm them and to ask the help of a specialist in order to find out what is the best solution to get out of the deadlock. The specialist can give information on the support and treatment ways for gambling related problems.
The program can last for at least 3 months, it is structured in individual sessions, sessions where the support person (partner, family member, etc.) also attends, as well as follow up sessions. Furthermore, during the program support sessions on the telephone are offered as well. within these meetings, the family receives information which helps them understand the problematic gambling behavior, they find out how to manage and have financial control in order to protect the entire family and they learn how to become a real support for the player, so that they can act in order to recover the person, and not at the person’s expense.
➤ We assume you have also met during your career players who returned “to normal”. For sure there isn’t such a thing as a universal recipe for success, but what is it that they had on their side for success? What did they say helped them the most?
First of all what is essential is the acceptance by the person in question of the fact that she/he has a gambling related problem, followed by the firm desire to return to normal, as you say. The healing cannot be done by force. The desire to give up gambling should come from the inside of the person affected. The best and long lasting results appear when the existing problem is communicated to the family and friends, so that they can form a real “support group”.
For more information on the topic of responsible gambling, please visit the section dedicated to this important subject on our website www.rombet.com.
