How to Break a Gambling Addiction

A gambling addiction can be hard to break, but there are steps you can take to help. If you suspect your loved one has a problem, it’s important to know what gambling is and how it works, the risks involved and how to help them.

Gambling involves placing a bet on an event that has a random outcome, such as a game of cards or a roll of the dice. It’s a popular pastime and a huge industry. People gamble with money, possessions, or anything else of value that has a chance of being returned if they win. The earliest evidence of gambling comes from China, where tiles from around 2,300 B.C. have been found that were used to play a rudimentary form of the game.

When someone wins, they receive a rush of pleasure from their brain’s reward centre, similar to the feeling that they get when they spend time with friends or eat a tasty meal. This triggers a positive cycle, meaning they’re more likely to do it again. For some, this is more than just a fun hobby; it can be addictive and lead to serious problems such as debt and addiction.

It’s difficult to spot the signs of a gambling problem, especially if your loved one denies they have a problem or downplays their behaviour. Some even hide their betting from family and friends, which can have a negative impact on the relationship.

However, there are ways to help someone with a gambling problem, including psychotherapy, which is a term that describes a number of treatment techniques. These are supervised by a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or clinical social worker. Psychotherapy can involve individual counselling, group therapy or family therapy.

There are also online support groups for people with gambling problems, such as those run by former footballers Tony Adams and James Grimes. These can be an important source of moral support and motivation to break the cycle. They can also be helpful for educating loved ones about the issue and helping them find other ways to spend their spare time.

Although the UK has legalised gambling, it’s still a dangerous activity. In fact, it’s the fourth biggest cause of death in England and Wales. This is why it’s so important to gamble responsibly and never bet more than you can afford to lose. Using a credit card with an agreed limit, setting time and money limits in advance, closing all online gambling accounts, and keeping only a small amount of cash on you are all ways to reduce your risk of gambling. If you’re worried about your own or someone else’s gambling habits, contact StepChange for free and confidential debt advice.