If gambling has stopped being enjoyable or is beginning to affect your finances, relationships, work or wellbeing, you are not alone. Our Treatment Programme provides free, confidential support to help you regain control.
Our toll-free counselling line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering professional counselling, assessment and referral through our nationwide network of qualified mental health professionals.
When you call our counselling line, you can expect:
Counselling provides a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space to talk about how gambling is affecting your life. Working with a qualified mental health professional, you’ll explore your experiences, understand your gambling behaviour, and develop practical strategies to help you regain control. Every person’s journey is different, which is why treatment is tailored to your individual needs and circumstances.
Strategies for change
If your gambling is causing problems in your life, there are things you can do to stop it being an issue. You can take the following steps to change your life.
Set some goals
Setting short-term and long-term goals may help you to stay focussed and clear about cutting down or giving up your gambling.
Avoid high-risk situations
High-risk situations, such as the use of credit cards, taking out loans, carrying large amounts of money with you, using gaming venues for socialising or gambling as a reaction to emotions, will weaken your resolve to control or stop your gambling.
Talk about it
Talking about gambling problems with somebody you trust who is not judgmental can ease the pain of bottling it up. It can also reduce the stress that causes you to continue gambling.
Ask for help
If you are finding it difficult, you do not have to handle your gambling problems on your own. Many people seek professional help. We offer free, professional, confidential help, advice and support services.
Face the feelings
Becoming aware that you could be a problem gambler may cause feelings of shame and guilt. Self-blame and self-harm can increase stress and may cause you to gamble more. However, acknowledging the problem and taking steps to seek help can help you change your life for the better. Be kind to yourself Stop beating yourself up over your gambling problem and focus on the steps you are taking to overcome it. Acknowledge your positive achievements; write them down to remind yourself of your strengths and attributes.
Try to find an alternative to gambling
Many people gamble because they do not know what else to do. Try to find an alternative recreational activity or hobby.
Prepare for a lapse
A lapse occurs when you gamble again after deciding to stop. If this happens to you, you do not have to continue gambling. You can use this to learn more about what triggers your gambling. When a lapse occurs, examine what worked and what didn’t work with your plan.
Money management
