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| Help Your Friend | As you probably know, that one of the hardest things about helping implacable gamblers is that they are very likely to deny they have any problem with playing games of hazard even when it’s evident to people around them.
You may often hear that they say the following:
 “It’s not the real problem for me. I can give up any time I want.”
“In fact, it’s not a big deal. I can cover my debts.”
“When I’m hot, I win back even more than I’ve lost.”
“My friends all bet on college football – it’s just for fun.”
If you think that your friend has a gambling problem, show your concern. Try to behave the following way:
 Don’t avoid the subject. On the other hand, do avoid sermons, lectures, judging and verbal attacks.
Don’t go on the conversation if you start to feel annoyed or angry. You may meet defensiveness and denial.
Don’t take this personally, but make it clear you’re concerned and tell the person how his or her gambling behavior affects you.
You may have to set limits with the person.
Don’t be manipulated into excusing, justifying, overlooking, enabling or participating in the person’s self-defeating behaviors.
If your friend agrees that he or she has a problem, try to do the following:
Stay supportive and strengthen even small efforts toward change.
Be ready for some steps backward as a normal part of the recovery process.
Help the person make contact with recovering gamblers and organizations like the Counseling & Mental Health Center and Gamblers Anonymous.
Encourage activities that are not related to gambling, and curb your own gambling behaviors.
Educate yourself about problem and compulsive gambling.
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