Quote from: alastantiger on February 16, 2024, 11:48:07 PM

Quote from: alani123 on February 10, 2024, 11:34:51 PM

So I heard a story of some acquaintances that in their friend group, some person really got addicted recently.

Gambling addiction doesn't just occur suddenly and recently. It happens over a period of time - days, months, years, decades. It process is just like a butterfly metamorphosing.

True, but it happens for sure and of course no one will ever be able to realize that he has entered condition or initial phase of gambling addiction.
They indirectly increase their gambling intensity and over time it becomes habit that cannot be abandoned or stopped.
They will realize when they have experienced destruction or experienced various serious problems, but this awareness is too late because everything has already happened.

Quote from: alastantiger on February 16, 2024, 11:48:07 PM

Quote from: alani123 on February 10, 2024, 11:34:51 PM

This guy hasn't caused any trouble to his friends but it's a worrying situation to see him waste most of his salary every month... So now the other guys were contemplating to quit their poker playing hobby because it was really affecting their friend negatively. And they had a somewhat regular get-together to play poker with very small stakes just for the fun of it. It's a petty that they might have to abandon their poker games but to them it's either that or abandoning their friend and worsening his compulsion.

The best way to get their friend help is not for them to quit gambling because they would not be doing it of their freewill and they going to regret it later. Rather going with their friend to a gamblers meeting. Getting them the professional help that they need and funding it as best as they can.

Everything will depend on how react to it, if that the best then just do it and if not immediately stop and do what best.
Only each individual can feel the impact of each decision, so the good and bad of each activity also depends on how person has mindset in making decisions.
This is not about professional help but how he moves forward towards much better direction for the future.