Harmful gambling can strain relationships, interfere with work, lead to serious financial difficulties and lead someone to do things you wouldn’t ordinarily do.

It affects a person’s mental and physical health increasing levels of stress, depression and/or anxiety and decreasing self-esteem. 

For some people, the consequences of gambling can be so overwhelming that they struggling to see a way forward. Feeling it is all too much when faced with the consequences of gambling, problem gamblers can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. There is emerging evidence that problem gambling can lead people to think that life is not worth living and feeling like taking their own life.

If you know someone who is feeling like this it is important that you encourage them to speak to someone, let them know how you’re feeling. Help is available and people recover and go on to live fulfilling lives.

There are a number of signs to look out for, these include:

• Spending more money and time on gambling than they can afford
• Finding it hard to manage or stop gambling
• Having arguments with family or friends about money and gambling
• Losing interest in usual activities or hobbies and neglecting work, family and personal needs/responsibilities
• Always talking about gambling
• Lying about gambling or hiding it from other people
• Chasing losses or gambling to get out of financial trouble
• Gambling until all their money is gone
• Borrowing money, selling possessions or not paying bills in order to pay for gambling
• Needing to gamble with more money or for a longer period of time to get the same feeling of excitement
• Feeling anxious, worried, guilty, depressed or irritable.

Although someone might feel like they are powerless to stop gambling, there are things they can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and regain control of their life.

Professional help will always increase someone’s chance of success, but there are different things someone can do to start to help themselves that you can suggest.

Things that someone can try when they want to try and gamble more safely include:

• Placing a limit – limit the amount of money they will gamble in a week and then stick to it
• Going cardless – leave the credit or debit cards at home when out at a casino or event
• Setting and online cap – set gambling limits and don’t go over them
• Payday priorities – on payday, making sure all important bills are paid first before you gamble.
• Reducing frequency – gradually reduce the number of times you gamble in a week
• Being prepared to lose – shifting a mindset from I will win to being always be prepared to lose. The ‘house’ always wins!
• No savings – never spend savings on gambling, or money they can’t afford
• Borrow ban – suggest telling friends and relatives not to lend them money – even if they ask!
• Distraction – take up a new hobby or activity to distract from gambling
• Spend time – spent more time with your friends and family
• Peer support – join a support group in your local area
• Talk about it – talk to someone they trust about gambling

To find a suitable alternative you need to try and understand what gambling offered you. For example did if fulfil an emotional need, act as pain relief, help bury supressed emotions or enable an escape from reality?

There are different things you can do to fulfil those needs without resorting to gambling. Here are some ideas...

Getting help

If you have a problem with gambling, or you know someone who gambles compulsively, support and advice is available.