It is a well-known fact that problem gamblers are quite reluctant to seek help for their compulsive behaviour. A new study sheds some light on this issue, offering up a reason as to why this is the case. According to researchers at the Australian National University, the public tends to have a less sympathetic attitude towards problem gamblers, which can discourage addicted individuals from seeking help.
The ANU Centre for Gambling Research conducted interviews with 100 health professionals, problem gamblers and casual poker machine players. The research team hoped to gather information about what could possibly be deterring problem gamblers from seeking help from counsellors, investigating the potential social stigmas that are attached to gambling addiction.
According to lead research Annie Carroll, society judges problem gamblers more harshly than individuals who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. As such, there is a greater social stigma for compulsive gamblers, which inhibits them from admitting they have a problem.
"While society has some sympathy for people with drug or alcohol problems because they have an addiction, people with gambling problems are more likely to be blamed by society for their problem,'' she says. "It's not properly recognised as an addiction in the way that alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes are addictive.''
Dr Carroll notes that problem gamblers keep their addictions secret because they are worried about the backlash they could experience. She stated that some individuals have come forward about their drug and alcohol abuse but continued to deny their compulsive gambling behaviour. To rid society of this stigma, it is important to make problem gamblers feel comfortable about admitting to their addictions.
They should be applauded for seeking help rather than shamed for their behaviour. If the stigma can be broke, more compulsive gamblers will seek assistance and we can hope that problem gambling rates will begin to decline.
About the Author
