Gambling Problem in Families and How to Solve it

Family Policy Project
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Part one
Introduction
Many families are facing a set of challenges. They face a plethora of aging challenges from time to time, including migration, separation, parenting challenges, unemployment, financial problems and constraints, health issues, disabilities, death of a family member, violence and abuse, gambling addiction, drug abuse, and work-related stress, among many more! In response to these challenges, societies, partly through the government, have developed policies to mitigate these problems. This paper will address gambling as one of the major problems that pose a significant threat to the family as a social institution. Gambling challenges in this paper be referred to as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling, and problem gambling.
Evidence of gambling problem in families
Gambling is one of the widely reported problems across many countries. Many nations have responded to these challenges by developing policies that restrict gambling and create awareness of the adverse outcomes of excessive gambling or addiction. Research data shows that mature gambling markets impact 2 % to 5 % of the adult population engaged in pathological gambling (Holdsworth et al., 2013). According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, about two million U.S. adults, which constitutes an estimated one % population, are compulsive or pathological gamblers, and another estimated four to six million two-three % are classified as problem gamblers, while about one-third of adult problem gamblers have children at home under the age of 18 (Promises Behavioral Health,2009). More than 10 million Americans live with a gambling addiction (The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab, 2020). . Gambling is not illegal in most cases, making it easier for people to justify risky gambling behaviors. A substantial portion of the population of people does not sense danger in gambling addiction. Only 21 percent of incarcerated persons agreed to have engaged in gambling addiction and consented that their gambling was problematic The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab, 2020). Understanding gambling aids mitigate stigma, making it easier to find access to professional treatment.
Gambling is linked to criminal activity. Despite gambling being legal in most regions, it has been associated with a rising case of crime. About 50 % of compulsive gamblers commit crimes to obtain money for gambling and pay debts, with most crimes revolving around embezzlement, shoplifting, forgery, fraud, and theft. There is a robust relationship between the severity of the gambling problem and crime rates. More than 60 % of pathological gamblers report committing crimes linked to gambling activity, and about 40 % say they commit crimes that are only linked to gambling. Further facts show that 80-90% of Gamblers Anonymous members engage in illegal acts to obtain money, about 63 % of them report presenting bad checks and stealing from work, while many states such as Georgia have lifetime correctional costs for a problem gambler ranging from $2,950 to $2,210 ( The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab ( 2020).
Holdsworth et al. (2013) showed that people living with gambling addictions undergo major financial debts, relationship breakdown, legal and work associate problems, physical and psychological health deterioration. The presence of a pathological gambler or addicted gambler in a family comes with far-reaching implications. Both the gambler and the family are adversely affected. The entire family suffers due to the behavior and thinking of the gambling addict. The severity of gambling impact on each family member depends on the extent of the gambling problem, how long it has existed, the closeness of the gambler's relationship to each family member, among other factors. Severed financial, psychological, emotional, social, and legal problems combine efforts to undermine family functioning. More often, evidence suggesting pathological or addictive gambling includes missing financial statements, calls, and follow-ups from creditors, increasing debts, unexplained cash transactions on credit cards, household assets' disappearance, unexplained disappearance of cash in bank accounts, and mounting household bills (Promises Behavioral Health,2009). The problems disintegrate the family institutions leading to family breakdown, stress, and constrained relationships.
People affected by the gambling problem
Gambling is a significant problem for a considerable portion of the population. Gambling disproportionately impacts society. The most recent gambling data shows that six to nine % of young people and young adults experience gambling problems, which is higher than among adults. The same research indicates that ethnic and racial minorities show higher gambling challenges than the general adult population (National Center for Responsible Gaming).
On gender disparities, men are more predisposed to gambling addiction than women. Studies show that most pathological gamblers are men, and women may become compulsive gamblers later in life, but they tend to develop addiction more quickly. One study reported that gambling disorder age of onset found that 69 percent of adolescents reported beginning gambling before 12, and children who play online games are at increased risk of gambling, while older adults are also vulnerable to compulsive gambling due to loneliness and isolation (The Recovery Village Drug and Alcohol Rehab, 2020). Thus, gambling affects children, partners, parents, minority and marginalized communities, and older lonely adults. Generally, the whole institution of a family is adversely affected by gambling addictions or pathologies.
The problem of Addictive Gambling to families
Gambling behavioral patterns significantly impact families and communities. Excessive gambling negatively affects intimate partners and children, and extended family members, including parents, grandparents, and siblings. Gambling strains family relationships cause emotional disturbances and financial challenges due to financial implications, time, and energy consumed in gambling activities. Excessive gambling often results in coping strategies that lead to imprinted psychological, physical, and social well-being (Dowling, 2014). 
Gambling has straightforward implications on mental health, finances, and f...