Professionals shouldn t encourage a pathological gambler to go bankrupt, that s called a bail out, and this often triggers more gambling because the gambler thinks they have a clean slate and they can start over. The drug of choice for gamblers is money and the biological chemicals it creates, so they can t carry money around for a while. Someone responsible person has to keep the money and give them the exact amount they need each day. After the gambler has developed a stable self-directed program of recovery, they can gradually take control of their finances. First we got the whole story even though he didn t want to remember it all, we finally got the last of what he did and what he owes.
Gamblers hold out on what they owe, so check carefully.
To get the facts you have to create an environment that is so gentle, safe and loving that the patient can search for and share the truth. Then Jerry learned about the disease of addiction. Its genetic and neurobiological not just that he s bad. He worked through the first five steps of GA, and then he began helping others, showing them the way, restoring meaning and worth to his life. Then Jerry searched for a connection with his higher power.