Gambling Addiction: Finding the help you need

Gambling addiction affects as many as 1.3 million people across Britain, while around one in 20 people who do gamble could be at risk of developing problems. It’s a disease that can cause many problems, from financial to physical, emotional and mental, which is why if you are struggling, it’s vital to get help.

It’s a condition that’s close to our hearts here at KingCasinoBonus, and we encourage all our readers to play responsibly, and as GambleAware once said, “when the fun stops, stop”.

Interestingly, a survey from the Gambling Commission found that only 16% of people claim to gamble for fun, with a much larger proportion stating that having “fun” was never behind their reason to gamble.

Finding the right balance is key, and if you feel like your gambling is getting on top of you, your finances or your health, there are options for you. Below, you’ll find the information you need to do just that.

Organisations that can help you support your gambling addiction

Across the country, there is a wealth of support options that can help you in the immediate and short term. Many of those struggling with addiction, and even those in recovery, have moments when it can get on top of them, and there are organisations available to reach out to.

National Gambling Support Network

Operated by GamCare and formerly known as the National Gambling Treatment Service, the National Gambling Support Network is a group of organisations across the UK that provides free, confidential and personalised support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can contact them through a variety of means, including telephone, live chat and face-to-face. You can find localised and national support through the location finder on the GambleAware website.

Alongside aiding people who are experiencing problems with gambling, the brand can also help those who are affected by other people’s gambling.  The helpline is free of charge and you can contact the National Gambling Support Network through the following means.

• Telephone: 0808 802 0133
• Live Chat: Click Here
• Location Finder: Find Here
• Website: https://www.begambleaware.org/ngsn

Primary Care Gambling Service

The NHS also offers support for those who feel they are experiencing gambling problems. The Primary Care Gambling Service has a hotline to contact as well as an online self referral portal, in which those with problems can seek help.

The service also has a wealth of information online that can help identify if you are experiencing the symptoms of gambling addiction and the steps you need to take in order to get your life back on track.

The service works alongside GamCare to provide the following:

• 121 treatment sessions
• Group treatment
• Aftercare
• Peer Support

However, access to support isn’t available 24/7, with treatment available Monday to Friday from 9am until 4pm. This is the case for both their physical location and the helpline. For support during out-of-office hours, they recommend the National Gambling Support Network (see above).

• Telephone: 0300 0300 111
• Email Address: [email protected]
• Location: Primary Care Gambling Service, Hurley Clinic, Ebenezer House, Kennington Lane, London, SE11 4HJ
• Website: https://www.primarycaregamblingservice.co.uk/

You can fill out a Primary Care Gambling Service registration form by clicking here.

GamLEARN

GamLEARN is a lived experience network and charity that provides people with support from those who have been through gambling addiction themselves. It can advise people who are struggling with addiction as well as provide any support through the criminal justice system if required.

The charity hosts weekly online meetups for people to join, as well as various training sessions for those who want to help others.

• Email Address: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.gamlearn.org.uk/

Gamblers Anonymous

Gamblers Anonymous is a programme that brings together gamblers through a support network and a series of meetings. Labelled as the Gamblers Anonymous Fellowship, it encourages a series of key principles to aid people with addictions and recover effectively.

Meetings take place right across the country, usually once per week, while there’s also an online chat room and forum for anyone seeking immediate help. This can provide peer to peer support during even the most difficult of times. It’s a network that provides itself on anonymity, breaking the barriers and stigma many people struggle with when it comes to addiction.

• Email Address: [email protected]
• Meeting Finder: Click Here
• Address: Gamblers Anonymous England, Wales & Ulster, Union House, 111 New Union Street, Coventry, CV1 2NT
• Chat Room: Click Here
• Forum: Click Here
• Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/

Chapter One

Chapter One is a society that understands addiction and looks to point people in the direction of urgent help and providing the resources for longer-term support for gambling addiction.

A partnership between Gambling With Lives, the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Greater Manchester NHS Integrated Care Partnership, it’s a website that can aid anyone who is struggling from addiction, from those directly to friends and family of those struggling.

• Website: https://www.chapter-one.org/

Citizens Advice Bureau

The Citizens Advice Bureau can help with a range of different challenges for UK residents. The charity can advise on a range of different issues around gambling, from mental health to the financial problems it can potentially create, as well as pointing you in the direction to get help.

There are bureaus across the country where you can pop in to receive help, as well as the Adviceline, which is available 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday.

• Adviceline: 0800 144 8848 (England), 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
• Live Chat: Click Here (available 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday)
• Bureau Locator: Click Here
• Citizens Advice Information on Gambling: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/gambling-problems/get-help-with-gambling-problems/

Samaritans

For those that need immediate help with their addiction and the mental health problems that could be causing, the Samaritans has a free helpline that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Calls are free and there is always someone there to listen and provide the emotional and mental support you need during the most difficult times.

• Telephone: 116 123
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: samaritans.org

Shout 85258

If you need to speak to someone about your gambling addiction or mental health but don’t want to talk directly with someone over the phone, Shout 85258 is a free 24/7 text line that allows you to discuss your issues anytime, day or night.

All you need to do to get in touch is text ‘Shout’ to the number 85258 and you’ll get a text back, allowing you to open a conversation with someone who is there to listen and provide support.

• Telephone: 85258 (text ‘Shout’)

CALM

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) provides mental health support to those that are struggling. CALM’s helpline and live chat are open from 5pm until midnight every day and provide support with a range of issues, including mental health challenges around gambling.

• Telephone: 0800 58 58 58
• Live Chat: Click Here

Gambling With Lives

Finally, Gambling With Lives provides immediate and long term support not to those who are suffering with gambling addiciton, but those that have lost someone they know due to gambling-related suicide.

The charity offers bereavement support, investigation support and community support and more, providing those grieving with the resources they need to get through what is a traumatic and difficult time.

You can get in touch via telephone or email, although they are a small team so can take up to two working days to respond to enquiries.

• Telephone: 07774 617771
• Email Address: [email protected]

Recognising the signs of gambling addiction

Gambling addiction is an impulse-control disorder and it can be devastating to a person’s life if treatment and management are not sought out.

It’s characterised by a consistent urge to gamble, but it can prove problematic in several other ways, too. Recognising the signs of problem gambling is instrumental in limiting the damage it can cause, and below, you’ll find several of the more common symptoms that align with gambling addiction.

• Loss of control and being unable to manage urges to gamble.
• Being preoccupied with gambling and losing interest in other hobbies, interests and responsibilities.
• You’re struggling to pay bills and for daily essentials as a result of your gambling.
• Increasing the amount you are gambling in order to recoup losses.
• Lying or concealing the amount of time and money you are spending gambling.
• It’s having a negative impact on relationships.
• It’s having a negative impact on your working life.
• You’re using gambling to feel a rush of adrenaline.
• You’re using gambling as a stress reliever/coping mechanism.

If you can relate to any of the above, then it may be that you have a problem with gambling and should consider using the help above to combat that and get your life back on track.

If you are a parent and are worried your children might be underage gambling, you should also learn what signs to look for so you can help them overcome the issue.

Combat your gambling addiction with self-exclusion and blocking software

For anyone who is struggling with gambling addiction, there are several tools available to prevent you from accessing online casinos and gambling sites. By utilising responsible gambling tools, you can set up blocks on your accounts as well as cool-off periods to give you respite from gambling and help you tackle any addiction or problems you may have.

You can find out more about gambling-blocking software like GAMSTOP.

Recovering from gambling addiction

If you’ve recognised that you have a problem with addiction, there are a wealth of treatment centres and recovery support options to support your pathway to gambling sobriety.

From counselling to support groups and beyond, head over to our Gambling Addiction Recovery page to learn all the information you need to boost your chances of a successful recovery.

Frequently asked questions about gambling addiction

Are there 24 hour helplines to help me with my gambling addiction?

Both Samaritans (116 123) and the National Gambling Support Network (0808 802 0133) provide helplines that are available all day, every day and can help with any problems or challenges you may have with gambling and, notably, your mental health.

I’m having money troubles as a result of gambling, who can help?

Alongside help in tackling addiction, you’ll also find many charities available in the UK to help with debt as a result of gambling. Below you’ll find a list of those that can help alongside their contact details.