March madness is underway, and as thousands formulate their perfect brackets and place their wagers, it’s vital to know how gambling can become a devastating addiction. Maricel Bernardo at the Problem Gambling Health Network of West Virginia explains how small bets could turn into massive problems:
“I’ve spoken to people who say… it just started out as fun. Then I won big. So once they win big, that’s the hook, and a lot of them start chasing losses. If you’re on a winning streak, then you start losing, that’s even worse because then I’ve got to recoup… what I put in.”
Unfortunately, the losses problem gamblers suffer can amount to much more than money.
“With problem gambling, it has the highest suicide rate, so we have to be very careful. We’re very empathetic to our callers, not just for the problem gambler, but for the loved ones.”
One reason a gambling problem can become so serious is that it’s often a hidden addiction. Some signs to watch for are changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, decreased performance at work or school, spending more time on devices, unusual expenses, and defensiveness or secrecy around money or time spent. Maricel explains that loved ones who want to help should try to remain understanding.
“We tend to have the mentality of why can’t they just stop, you know? And if you’re the problem gambler, sometimes they don’t know why they do what they do. And one of the things that we always say is that gambling is just a symptom. There’s an underlying issue as to why they’re doing what they’re doing.”
It can be hard to admit when a little fun gets out of hand, but it’s best to reach out before a problem gets any worse.
“The first step is admitting you have a problem. And we try to make it as easy for you as possible. And we’re not here to judge. We’re just here to listen and try to give you just as much support as we can.”
Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit 1800gambler.net for confidential 24-7 support from someone who understands. Gambling isn’t always a problem, but it’s always important to know when to hold ’em, and know when to reach out.
“Yes, you can gamble, you can game, but please do it responsibly. And if you do find yourself in that rabbit hole, there is help available for you.”
