Gambling

Compulsive gambling is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. If you're prone to compulsive gambling, you may continually chase bets, may lie or hide your behaviour, and may resort to theft or fraud to support your addiction. Compulsive gambling is a serious condition that can destroy lives.

Most people who have a gambling problem are using gambling as an opportunity to escape from other problems or pressures in their lives.  Understanding what role gambling is playing in your life can be an important first step in beating the problem.

Signs of compulsive gambling

• Uncontrolled spending
• Increasing the frequency of gambling
• Concealing or lying about gambling behaviour
• Withdrawal from family activities
• Borrowing money or stealing to gamble
• Frequent mood swings
• Absence from work
• Taking increasingly bigger gambling risks

Causes

It's not known exactly what drives people to engage in compulsive gambling, but like many problems, it may result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

When gambling or trying to give up gambling, feelings of shame, guilt, anger, anxiety and depression can occur. These emotions should be explored and discussed with a professional counsellor.

Help and Support

Options specialist gambling counsellors will use a combination of techniques, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help the person change their attitudes, opinions and behaviours to enable them to manage their gambling.

To find out more information or to book an appointment with a counsellor here to help you or someone you who know who is suffering with Gambling.