There is a whole lot of gambling problem support out there if you need it.

And if you don't know where to start, we're going to try to explain what each type of gambling problem support means. It's not easy to stop betting. But if you have an addiction, there is help out there for you to overcome it.

Exploring any of these options means you're making a positive start in stopping gambling for good. Finding the right mix of gambling problem support might take time, but it is time well spent if it means you can start living your life without gambling.

Gambling problem support organisations

There are so many organisations all over the world out there that have articles, support, tips, helplines and ways of finding groups. Depending on where you are, you'll find a number of different organisations. Here are some of the ones that might be suitable for you:

• UK: Be Gamble Aware website or phone line (0808 8020 133)
• Ireland: Gambling Care website or phone line (1800 936 725)
• USA: National Council on Problem Gambling website or phone line (1800 522 4700)
• Australia: Gambling Help Online website or phone line (1800 858 858)
• New Zealand: Gambling Helpline website or phone line (0800 654 655)
• Gambling help organizations based in other countries

Group chats

You can find a lot of different online chat rooms and forums full of people who also want to quit gambling. Reading their experiences and talking to them in real time can help you find your tribe and provide a solid base of gambling problem support.

Another thing you can do is to find in-person gambling problem support groups. Seeing people in person and talking through your traumas can be very therapeutic. The most famous support groups like this are Gamblers Anonymous, run all over the world. But there are other support groups available too.

Talking to a professional

Talking to an expert who's trained in talking to people with gambling addictions is a really useful way to get gambling problem support. But there isn't one route to go down. There are a lot of different types of therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoanalysis and psychiatry.

Finding the right style of therapy for you might take time, but it is time well spent if it can help you to overcome your addiction. Talking to a health professional like your GP might help you narrow down your options before you start making appointments.

Treatment centers

Going in for treatment for a few weeks or months can be a crucial way to overcome gambling addiction. Here, there are multi-disciplinary gambling problem support teams that can help you quit gambling for good. Being in a different environment can be crucial to your success and breaking your habits. Although it can be expensive, it is well worth trying. And of course, some health insurance policies or different governments might cover all or part of your expenses.

Often, this will involve a mix of one-on-one counselling and intensive group therapy. Sometimes your loved ones might also come in for sessions. It is not an easy thing to do, but it can be very effective for a lot of people.

More responsible gambling articles

If you'd like to read some more information on responsible gambling, here are just some of our articles on the topic:

• 4 reasons why it's smart not to spend absolutely ages gambling
• Easy ways to avoid making silly bets
• Gambling blocking software options to consider
• Signs of a gambling problem
• How gambling actually works
• Your guide to taking a time out
• What is self-exclusion?
• 8 signals your friend or family member has a problem with gambling

• Frequently asked questions: How do we stop minors from gambling?

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