Published on 12, July, 2020
Hello, my friend has Aspergers. He started gambling quite a long time ago, however this has gone out of control lately, because he has been borrowing too much money. I was just wondering if someone would have any ideas I could recommend for him to try, instead of gambling. I was wondering if would it be possible to shift the things he likes in gambling into another activity.
He likes that he is completely focused on one thing, the adrenalin rush, the understandong of the features of different websites and the details of the game.
Does someone have any ideas that might be benefitial for him?
thank you
Huh... I work in a casino and see gambling addicts frequently, it's not an easy one to break as it's legal. What's worse is the governmemt have relaxed all the laws restricting us from advertising etc so it's a free for all. I have my own addiction to drugs which has come about due to struggling with Asperger's, so I get the size of the problem, once we're focussed, it's a tough one to get us to move on.
I am actually trying to deal with mine, but I had to get to a very very low point before I could admit to myself that I needed to deal with it. I fear that may be the same for your friend, if he/she does not want to change they won't.
I used to have an addiction to an online MMPORG, I couldn't stop but it didn't hurt me financially or mentally (in my case). Could you maybe try shifting your friend to onine gambling, rather than in the casino and then maybe get to get them to play some sort of competetive (that's important for the rush) online game ? How old are they ? Not that it matters really, I was playing eve online until 18 months ago and I am 44.
There are organisations like gamcare and gambler's anonymous but that would require your friend to admit they have a problem. I wouldn't normally suggest trying to move someone away from there "aspie focus" but I understand the focus is potentially very damaging, so maybe try incrementally moving him/her to something else competetive, but I don't know how much success you'll have with that.
Competitive pokemon on Pokemon Showdown.
No, really. It works.
As well as the help to stop gambling maybe try some boardgames? try ones with a push your luck mechanism or lots of rules to learn which might be better simulations of gambling
Lots if ideas on boardgamegeek.com including one player games
Nice one, Bob.
These guys are good too.. but in North London
http://www.betknowmoreuk.org/
Bob -Mod
Hi Csemete,
As an addict myself (not gambling, though), I can vouch that the mechanism of addiction is complex and it might not be a straightforward as just finding an alternative activity. As Lostmyway said, Gamblers Anonymous is a good place to start.
Firstly, though, he has to accept that he has a problem and that he needs to do something about it. That's the hard part. Acceptance.
Good luck,
Tom
Gamblers Anonymous?
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/