I've also read a response in this forum from a guy who testified that his lover saved him from gambling addiction. It shows how love could be the highest of them all. When an addict is close to someone he loves, his interest in gambling gets shifted automatically to that person. Hence, helping him to focus on rethinking himself. He also listens to the advice of this person, another strong benefit that could change him close to instantly. Though it's hard for them opening up to a close friend helps the healing process of a gambler. The person who received such information should endeavor to help by acting as a therapist. But the confusing aspect of this remains that not everyone knows what next to do upon hearing this.
In a situation like this, if they've got the funds, forwarding the addict to a therapist is the best choice. Therapy could be done with anybody, but a person who isn't experienced in making the right moves or strategies won't see an effective result. The trial-and-error method isn't encouraged. Mental disorder is not a joke. It's painful to the person and everyone around him. Within himself, he'd be asking multiple questions on why he's acting strangely. Questioning the gambler is effective in helping him think and remember things he's forgotten about himself due to gambling addiction. He, the addict, can also travel to meet people who will help restrict his actions. Sometimes a strict procedure should be applied.
Love is powerful. But don't expect a miracle cure for addiction. When the relationship gets rough, replacing one preoccupation with another is perilous. Love's awesome, but it ain't easy. It takes work, discusion, and occasionaly firm boundaries
Therapy with a friend? Hmm. An ally is important, but most individuals aren't qualified to handle significant mental health issues. It's like asking your friend to fix your car when they can barely change a tire. Might work, but probably hurt more. Professional therapy? Hell yeah, if you can afford it. The fit must be right. Addiction experts, not textbook readers, are needed. Finding them is hard
Gambling for fun is cool. However, losing control and doing things that aren't "
you" is your wake-up call. Questioning is the first step, but action matters most. That could involve specialized rehab or strong self-discipline. Take control and don't let addiction rule
Yeah, experts encourage addicts to chin up and face the problem, by creating a bond with the addict. Interpersonal relationship is the engine of every form of therapy, expert or not. Sometimes during therapy, experts are incapable of developing this friendship with addicts. The therapist may have used uncomfortable responses in his conversation with the addict. It's hard to detect an effective response that'll tickle pink the addict on hearing it. The transient pleasure, if achieved, can improve the addict's interest in the therapist. Thereby opening a reason within him, why he shouldn't skip therapy sessions. No therapist is perfect or expert enough to bring people to therapy, with no interpersonal relationship available. Addicts often miss their session, because they don't enjoy answering multiple boring questions asked by the therapist.
However, addiction experts, as you mention, are great due to experience dealing with other addicts. But people rarely get fond of one another meeting for the first time. The first day in therapy isn't assured for the therapist, he foresees two things, the client may return or not after leaving his office. This self-thought is used to know if they've done a great job or failed during the first session with a fresh client. So, getting an addict to continually visit his therapist, isn't the task of the therapist, but that of the addict's relation or family. Let's assume the family can afford to pay the expert, the addict needs someone to convince him to go for therapy, daily. Until he builds a strong bond with the therapist. Visiting therapy, for the addict, will then be like seeing a friend. That's a serious improvement in his healing process. Hence, if the expert isn't capable of getting hold of the addict's attention on the first day, the addict's family or loved one should assist in talking to the addict regarding why he should frequently go for therapy.