14-03-2011, 12:00 AM
Hey WOrried Friend,
Firstly its good that your mate has a friend who cares to ask questions.
I think the reason its very difficult to advise you is thta if your mate wants help then he needs to seek that help. I used to look at the small pieces of paper in the gambling places that say "have a problem with gambling>?" and this oh not really its just some fun, im not that bad.
then I found GA, a group of people who understand the problem that we face, its not a instant cure, its not going to settle the debts and change the misery overnight but what it does is allow you to know that your not alone and there is a better life away from gambling.
tell your friend you know a guy who lost his wife, his business, everything he knew from gambling and I am not alone in that.
What I am also not alone in is the daily fight to simlpy not gamble.
You as a friend can only suggest, you cannot rationally argue to your mate that he has a problem as the desease will tell him otherwise.
tell him you will search for a GA meeting and go with him, if he is interested in what he hears then he will get something out of that meeting.
At the moment shame is a big word and his pride may stop him doing that but he will thank you if he enters that room and listens and speaks.
I wish you the best and your friend.
Barrie
Firstly its good that your mate has a friend who cares to ask questions.
I think the reason its very difficult to advise you is thta if your mate wants help then he needs to seek that help. I used to look at the small pieces of paper in the gambling places that say "have a problem with gambling>?" and this oh not really its just some fun, im not that bad.
then I found GA, a group of people who understand the problem that we face, its not a instant cure, its not going to settle the debts and change the misery overnight but what it does is allow you to know that your not alone and there is a better life away from gambling.
tell your friend you know a guy who lost his wife, his business, everything he knew from gambling and I am not alone in that.
What I am also not alone in is the daily fight to simlpy not gamble.
You as a friend can only suggest, you cannot rationally argue to your mate that he has a problem as the desease will tell him otherwise.
tell him you will search for a GA meeting and go with him, if he is interested in what he hears then he will get something out of that meeting.
At the moment shame is a big word and his pride may stop him doing that but he will thank you if he enters that room and listens and speaks.
I wish you the best and your friend.
Barrie