Invest in Your Employees' Mental Health

Gambling problems and addiction are common but difficult to detect. They neither show, sound, nor smell. Approximately 2% of Sweden's population has gambling issues.

Furthermore, gambling problems often occur in relation to risky alcohol habits or general mental health issues. Feelings of anxiety, stress, depression, sleep difficulties, lack of appetite, and concentration problems are common consequences of gambling addiction and abuse. Additionally, there are relationship problems and financial difficulties. A clear sign that gambling has evolved into a problem is when it's presented as a realistic way to manage finances or to create a better life.

It's common for relationships with others, especially close ones, to suffer. Activities that were once meaningful are now neglected. Relatives often report that the person who gambles becomes more and more secretive about where they are and how their finances are. Often, the gambler and the relative have completely different perceptions of whether gambling is a problem or not.

When an employee struggles to control their gambling, it's a good idea for you as an employer to limit the person's exposure to anything related to gambling. Both online and offline. Avoid group gatherings with people who trigger gambling. Avoid or block websites. Instead of traditional radio channels with a lot of gambling advertisements, encourage audiobooks, podcasts, or streaming-based music services.

Spelfriheten recommends that as an employer, you ensure that the employee blocks their gambling on spelpaus.se - which applies to all digital and physical gaming operators authorized to operate in Sweden.

Another recommendation is Gamban.com - a blocking filter that prevents the employee from accessing gambling-related websites and downloading various gambling apps. This also works for gaming operators without a Swedish gaming license.

When a player finally gathers the courage to seek help, they are often filled with uncomfortable feelings, such as shame and guilt. They understand that things are bad, but they rarely grasp the extent of the problem. Perhaps they haven't even told their loved ones that they've sought help, simply because they're ashamed of their situation. They feel powerless and scared.

Therefore, it's important for you as an employer to proceed with caution, while also exploring the gambling issue through various questions. Be open, empathetic, and ensure that the player feels they are in a safe environment.

The last resort for a player is to ask for help. The window of motivation and opportunity for change can therefore close as quickly as it opened, so it's of the utmost importance to act swiftly.

There is no clear boundary crossed when gambling shifts from something enjoyable to something problematic. It varies for everyone. Sometimes it takes time, sometimes it happens quickly. It depends on various circumstances, but fundamentally, it makes no difference. When it becomes a problem, it becomes a problem that requires a solution.

Gambling addiction is now classified as a substance use disorder. For a person to be diagnosed (by a psychologist or doctor) with the so-called "gambling disorder," according to the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), the person must meet at least four of nine characteristics:

• Preoccupation Does the person constantly think about gambling? Is he preoccupied with thoughts of past gambling, planning future gambling, or figuring out how to get money for gambling?

• Tolerance Does the person need increasing amounts to achieve the same excitement and adrenaline rush?

• Loss of Control Does the person have difficulty controlling his gambling? Has he tried to cut back but failed?

• Withdrawal Does the person become restless and irritable when trying to limit or stop gambling altogether?

• Escape Does the person use gambling as an escape from feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, and depression?

• Chasing Losses Does the person gamble to try to win back previous losses?

• Deceit Does the person lie about his gambling in order to win back previous losses?

• Social Consequences Has the person jeopardized important relationships? His job? Has he missed opportunities for education or career advancement because of his gambling?

• Financial Dependency Does the person rely on others to solve financial crises he has gotten himself into because of his gambling?

There are many ways to help someone with a gambling addiction. Each individual has different needs that must be addressed in different ways. Is the gambler willing to seek help? Does the gambler need financial counseling? Is the gambler in a dangerous situation due to their gambling?

It is very common for gamblers to seek help when it feels too late. The negative consequences have become so serious that the gambler's life is no longer sustainable. At this point, the gambler is in great need of support, a stable environment to change their gambling behavior, and regain control over their life.

It is a difficult journey to make alone because the gambler's brain is hijacked by the addiction. Often, the gambler is filled with unpleasant feelings and thoughts that hinder them from making logical decisions and performing rational actions, as they may have done easily before.

Spelfriheten offers both outpatient treatment and family therapy.

For professional guidance, feel free to call [+468-660 10 45](tel:+468-660 10 45).