In the United Kingdom, almost half a million people struggle with a gambling addiction.
Yet, the NHS reports that only 1% receive treatment.
If you are struggling with a gambling addiction and find yourself searching for advice & support, at Action Rehab, we can provide you with just that.
In this blog, we share our advice & support for those struggling with gambling addictions. We have also shared how you can help someone who has a gambling addiction.
Signs That An Individual Is Struggling With A Gambling Addiction
Contrary to belief, the symptoms associated with gambling addictions are physical, psychological and behavioural. However, due to the very nature of gambling addictions, the behavioural symptoms are often recognised first.
Before offering our advice, we hope to help you ascertain whether you are struggling with a gambling addiction by outlining the signs and symptoms that come hand-in-hand.
The physical signs and symptoms that arise when a gambling addiction is present include the following;
- – Irritability
- – Changes in appearance
- – Headaches
- – Sickness
- – Distress
- – Changes in appetite
The psychological signs and symptoms that you will experience if you suffer from a gambling addiction will likely include the following;
- – Anxiety
- – Insomnia
- – Paranoia
- – Lack of concentration
- – Impaired judgement
- – Intense desires to gamble
In addition to experiencing physical and psychological symptoms, you will also display many behavioural signs that a gambling addiction is impairing your life.
Unlike the psychological signs and symptoms, behavioural signs and symptoms may well be observed by your loved ones, friends or employer.
The behavioural symptoms typically encountered when a gambling addiction is present include the following;
- – Financial difficulties
- – Lack of commitment
- – Isolation from others
- – Avoiding certain people and places
- – Becoming extremely secretive
- – Asking to borrow money from others
- – Trouble controlling your gambling
If your gambling addiction has impaired your life for quite some time, your loved ones may have already attempted to confront you about changes in your behaviour. However, you may have reassured them that there is nothing to worry about.
This is because, in many instances, if you are struggling with a gambling addiction, you may live in denial.
You may not think that your behaviour has escalated, and you may not believe that you are struggling with a gambling addiction.
However, if you experience any of the symptoms associated with gambling addictions, we would encourage you to contact us for support.
Are You Struggling With A Gambling Addiction? Our Advice & Support Can Help You
If you are struggling with a gambling addiction, our advice & support can help you overcome your addiction once and for all. Below, you will find a number of tips that can assist you as you look to the future.
Attend Support Groups
If you are struggling with a gambling addiction, there are a wealth of support groups across the United Kingdom that can help you come to terms with and overcome your addiction.
Gamblers Anonymous, for example, offers online and face-to-face support. Likewise, GamCare is also on hand to provide free treatment through the employment of their gambling helpline.
Participate In A Form Of Exercise
Like many other individuals struggling with a gambling addiction, you may turn to gambling to relieve stress.
If this resonates with you, instead of gambling, we highly recommend participating in a form of exercise. Not only will doing so help you alleviate any pessimistic feelings you experience, but it will also ensure that you can manage your gambling addiction.
Simply going for a walk, run or bike ride could essentially help you. Likewise, many individuals find that yoga and meditation are extremely beneficial when overcoming a gambling addiction.
Confide In Your Loved Ones
As touched on above, if you are struggling with a gambling addiction and seek advice & support, confiding in your loved ones may help you take the first step in overcoming your addiction.
After all, you will have likely kept your addiction and struggles a secret, which will have prevented you from securing any help.
We understand that you will have wanted to hide your gambling addiction from your loved ones to protect them.
However, as you confide in them, you will come to realise that they want to support you as you look to overcome your gambling addiction.
Seek Professional Support
Although confiding in your loved ones and diverting your attention will help you manage your gambling addiction in the short term, if you are to overcome your addiction once and for all, professional support is necessary.
At Action Rehab, we can help you secure professional support for your addiction by referring you to a residential rehab for treatment. While attending rehab may not have crossed your mind, it truly is in your best interest.
The treatment available via rehab will enable you to understand what has caused your gambling addiction to arise. You will, in turn, establish coping strategies that will ensure you secure a long-term recovery.
Furthermore, therapy will offer you advice & support on how to navigate your gambling addiction.
How To Help Someone Who Has A Gambling Addiction
If a loved one is struggling with a gambling addiction, you may well want to seek our advice & support.
To ensure that you can help someone who has a gambling addiction, we recommend doing the following;
- – Research the treatment that is available for gambling addiction
- – Inform your loved one of the treatment that is available for gambling addictions
- – Ensure that your loved one knows that you are there to help them overcome their gambling addiction
- – Refer your loved one for gambling addiction treatment
If you have attempted to support your loved one but have sadly found your help rejected, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Contact Us Today
Regardless of whether you are struggling with a gambling addiction and hope to seek advice & support or wish to support a loved one suffering from a gambling addiction, please contact us today.
Sources
https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/statistics-and-research/publication/statistics-on-participation-and-problem-gambling-for-the-year-to-june-2022
Posted on Thursday, April 1st, 2021 at 9:29 am in Addiction, Latest News.
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