Gambling

Taking part in a charity raffle, buying a lottery ticket, the odd bet on a sporting event – most of us gamble once in a while and regard it as a bit of harmless fun. For some individuals however, gambling can become addictive and the consequences of such activities can be devastating for both the individual and those close to them. It is estimated that more than 250,000 people in Britain are considered problem (or compulsive) gamblers – these are individuals whose gambling habits are interfering with and having a detrimental effect on their lives (finances, relationships and work performance for example).

Why do people gamble?

People gamble for any number of reasons, such as:

The buzz – you may enjoy the thrill of the risk and the consequential rush of adrenalin. Some individuals enjoy this experience and gamble again in an attempt to achieve this same feeling. However, just as tolerance can develop to drugs and alcohol, the body adapts and a gambler can find that they need to place larger, riskier bets in order to recreate the same feeling.
Financial concerns – ironically, many people start to gamble when faced with financial worries. However, the reality is simply more debt. It is a common delusion among problem gamblers that the next bet will be the one that wins them the large sum of money needed to fix their financial situation.
A way of escaping stress – some individuals turn to gambling as a way of coping with a difficult or stressful situation. What may start as a perceived practical coping behaviour (the thrill of winning money acting as an escape from work problems or relationship difficulties for example) will often result in a compulsive avoidance behaviour that can in itself become a problem.

When does gambling become a problem?

Any type of gambling can become addictive. There is not a level or frequency of gambling which determines whether an individual has a gambling problem or not. Simply, gambling is a problem when it has financial and emotional consequences which have a negative impact on an individual’s life. Problem gambling affects more men than women.

Do you identify yourself in any of the following statements?

I lie to other people and myself about how much I gamble.
I gamble in an attempt to get away from problems or worries.
I am spending increasing amounts of time gambling, or thinking about gambling.
I have borrowed money or sold possessions in order to gamble.
Thinking about gambling makes it hard for me to sleep at night or concentrate during the day.
I spend more money on gambling than I can afford.
I am neglecting other important areas of my life so that I can gamble (for example time spent with partner or children).
My feelings and behaviour are closely linked on the result of my last bet (for example feeling excessively elated on winning and depressed when losing).

If any of these statements describe you, it may be that your gambling has become out of control. However, there are things that you can do to help yourself and regain control over this aspect of your life.

How can I stop gambling?

Acknowledging that gambling is a problem and having the desire to want to overcome it are important first steps to stopping gambling. Different strategies will work for different people and will depend on the severity of the problem.

Avoid locations and situations where you might be tempted to gamble – Take a different route home so you don’t pass the betting shop for example.
Talk to someone - Find someone you can trust to talk about your problem - a friend, colleague or relative perhaps. Alternatively you can speak anonymously to a qualified counsellor by calling Bupa Employee Assistance free on 0800 269616 at any time of the day or night.
Contact Gamblers Anonymous – This is a self-help group where you can get support from other compulsive gamblers by calling one of the regional helplines or attending a group meeting. See www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk for details.
Budget – Take control of how you manage your money. If you feel you cannot do this by yourself, ask someone to support you in this task. You can get help and advice from a debt counsellor by calling Bupa Employee Assistance.
Take one day at a time – Remember that, with the right support, you have the ability to stop gambling. Don’t be overly critical of yourself if you have a slip-up, recognise it as a lapse and part of the recovery process, learn from it and move on. Berating yourself for returning to gambling may result in one mistake becoming a return to your old habits - don’t let it become an excuse to continue gambling.

Support for family and friends

The impact of gambling on the family and friends of a compulsive gambler can be devastating and can put immense strain on relationships. If you are affected by someone else’s gambling or concerned for a family member, friend or colleague you can call Bupa Employee Assistance where a qualified counsellor will be able to provide support and guidance. You can also get support from others who have been affected by another’s gambling through Gam-anon, a support group for family and friends of those who are compulsive gamblers. You can call Gam-anon on 08700 50 88 80 and/or attend a group meeting.

Bupa Employee Assistance

If you feel you would benefit from talking to a counsellor about gambling or require specialist debt, financial or legal advice please call Bupa Employee Assistance free on 0800 269616. The service is also available to your spouse/partner and any dependents living in the same household.

Please note that this is not a secure email address. You should not use emails to send confidential information or requests. Calls to 0800 numbers from landlines are free, however, mobile phone providers may charge. If you are calling Bupa Employee Assistance from outside the UK, dial +44 20 8947 2690.

Publication date: July 2008. These notes are issued for general information only. Professional advice should always be sought to take account of individual circumstances. Bupa cannot accept responsibility for continued accuracy of this information or actions taken on the basis of these notes alone.