You’ve been casino gaming, sports betting, and/or participating in some other form of wagering for some time. As you see it, there hasn’t been much cause to pause until recently, when you found yourself lying about gambling to those who are important to you in some shape or form. Further, you’re experiencing the guilt that accompanies it, which is what has caused you to come online to uncover whatever it is Google or ChatGBT has to say about the emotional experience. To provide an appropriate response, we have put together a list of scenarios. Within each, are nuances to consider that may help provide deeper insight and direct you towards a corrective course of action that will be beneficial for all involved. Please keep reading.
What to Consider When You Recognize That You’re Lying About Gambling (and are ready to make a change)
Lying About Gambling to Yourself
We begin with the most important question – are you lying to yourself about your gambling behavior and relationship with casino gaming, sports betting, or other related wagering activity? Because if so, it’s important to recognize that you cannot heal relationships that may be impacted by your “nondisclosure” until you begin to heal yourself. You see, lying about gambling is one of the common signs and symptoms of problem gambling. Understanding this, you are encouraged to find out if a problem exists, and if so, to what severity. Reference the list of other symptoms and take the quick 2-minute quiz linked below to begin your journey of self-discovery:
SIGNS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING
TAKE 2-MINUTE PROBLEM GAMBLING QUIZ
Lying About Gambling to Your Partner/Spouse
The online search expression for “lying about gambling” typically comes from the other side of the proverbial coin. Instead of the person habitually engaged in the activity (yourself, in this case), the search for insight comes from individuals who are involved in a romantic relationship and are convinced that (or are wondering if) their partner or spouse is hiding involvement. While gambling is often referred to as the secret addiction because it often lacks obvious physical signs that come with the likes of substance abuse, it does eventually have a direct and harmful effect on romantic partners. These potential harms circle back to the signs and symptoms of problem gambling that we’ve addressed above, including but not exclusive to i) anger that may manifest as verbal or physical abuse against a partner ii) debt that impacts common-law / married couples iii) and neglect. Whether these are already evident or you are trying to prevent them from occurring, it’s time to take corrective steps. This may involve getting help confidentially on your own with one-on-one counseling, or one-on-one counseling in discussion with your partner, or you may choose to get your partner involved with couples counseling. If considering the latter two, you may find insight into how to open up about your struggle with your companion via the following link:
HOW TO TELL LOVED ONES ABOUT A GAMBLING PROBLEM
Lying About Gambling to Your Family
Beyond romantic partners, there are other family members who are impacted by your lies about gambling, or may soon be impacted without intervention. For instance, children of problem gamblers may also become victims of anger that may manifest as verbal or physical abuse, debt that impacts the household, and neglect. Siblings, parents, and other members of your immediate and extended family may also bear the burden. And as with a partner or spousal consideration, corrective steps may involve confidential one-on-one counseling, one-on-one counseling in discussion with loved ones, or family counseling. If considering the latter two, you may find value in the following resource:
HOW TO TELL YOUR FAMILY ABOUT A GAMBLING PROBLEM
Lying About Gambling to Your Friends
If you are lying to your friends and peers about gambling, you may be concerned about how they feel about you. It is common among certain population segments and for those within certain cultures to feel embarrassed about problematic engagement with any activity or substance. For instance, young adult males are less likely to share such things with their friend-group. Based on numerous studies, young adult males often refrain from sharing their feelings with peers due to societal expectations of masculinity, fear of judgment, and learned emotional suppression. This behavior has been linked to various negative mental health outcomes, including feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. Compounding the issue, is that gambling behavior may ramp-up as a means to cope with isolation, anxiety, and depression that may come with lying about gambling in the first place. In this case, we encourage you to enter into one-on-one counseling, and to also consider group counseling for problem gambling. The latter will allow you to connect to a peer group that you will feel safe opening up to (and listening) about the struggle with gambling. Click to following link to learn more:
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING
Conversely, but in the same vein, you may be afraid to tell the truth about your gambling behavior to friends because it is something that you have participated in together. Sports betting in particular has become a normalized activity among young adults males (and a growing concern among young adult women). You may be concerned that in confiding to them that you have an issue, you may put yourself at risk of informal expulsion from the friend-group. Unfortunately, peer pressure among young adult males has played a major role in the growth of the problem gambling crisis in America. While they will more than likely be far more understanding than you think, we still encourage you to enter into one-on-one counseling and to consider group counseling, where you will to connect to peers who understand the struggle, first hand.
PEER SUPPORT GROUPS FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING
Lying About Gambling in Your Profession
This is a tricky scenario when there is a strict policy in place that prohibits the type of gambling that you do, and you realize that admission may come with punitive measures. Given that problem gamblers are more prone to fraud and embezzlement along with other actions that may compromise organizational integrity, certain industries do have strict workplace gambling policies, including the following:
- Banking and financial services
- Insurance services
- Government and public services
- Athletic leagues and organizations
- Sports media
It may not be practical to tell your employer about your gambling behavior, nor is it our place to advise you on whether or not you should. However, it is advisable to inquire with human resources (HR) about accessing mental health support services that may be available through your organization’s employee healthcare program. Treatment for mental and behavioral health issues, including problem gambling, are generally covered, and you are not required to disclose what your issue/s may be. Further, initiating support today establishes a pattern of proactive willingness to get help, which is important should it come to light that you have a gambling problem in an industry that has a strict policy against it. This could be the difference-maker regarding whether or not punitive measures will be taken, or in regards to severity.
Get Help for Problem Gambling Today
CALL +1 (877) 426-4258
OR
Email help@kindbridge.com
