Here we list with a few notes support resources in Scotland and beyond. If you know of any sources of support we don’t mention here do let us know. At the bottom of the page is a link to a section which explores self-help. For some such self-help resources may be sufficient, but for most they will complement working with a support service. There is never any ‘one size fits all’ for any mental health conditions but it is useful to explore what’s available.

If you are suffering from gambling related harm that’s not who you are: it’s a part of who you are with all your unique circumstances and identity. But the big first step is to find a listening ear. This could be opening up to family or a trusted friend. Our greatest support often comes from people closest to us. Scary as it may seem, opening up about your difficulties is by far the most important first step to overcoming them, and brings a lightening of your burdens.

Many of the support services listed here have a long track record of helping people. Some, such as Gamblers Anonymous and SMART Recovery are voluntary groups run by people who themselves have benn and maybe still are going through the mill.

Gambling Watch Scotland is not able to offer support. However, we hope that sections of the website will help. Also, we’ll be exploring how many people in overcoming gambling damage are willing to talk one-to-one by text or telephone.

The Gordon Moody Association

 The Gordon Moody Association has 50 years of experience in helping people with gambling difficulties. Visit their website for contacts and advice. As well as providing online support and general help, they specialise in helping with the most serious problems and offer residential treatment, including separate support tailored especially for women. They also help with accommodation. See all their services here.

They run live support sessions, groups and have a free app you can download to help support yourself. Check out their therapy site which contains self-help advice and resources, and details of a group for families and friends affected by gambling harms.

SMART RECOVERY

Like Gamblers Anonymous, SMART hold group meetings – including for freinds and families meetings. Unlike GA, SMART does not see ‘addiction’ as a disease but as something learned which can be unlearned.

Whereas most people have heard of 12-steps groups, most may be unaware of this alternative approach which is centred on managing thoughts and emotions through a Cognitive Behavioural lens. All meetings are free to attend, and led by trained facilitators.

SMART shares with GA all the benefits of being able to talk openly – maybe for the first time – and without fear of negative judgment, and to learn that one has been suffering is not caused by moral weakness or character deficiency but is a mental health condition like any other that can affect anybody.

Visit the website for contact details and more details of the SMART approach.

Other Sources of Support

NHS Scotland has a page about gambling which contains advice and good links which include one to Gam-Anon, a fellowship for spouses, parents, relatives and close friends who are affected by a person’s gambling difficulties. Another great site is GamStop which shows you how to block gambling sites and apps from your digital devices, and the site also contains a lot of valuable links to suppport sources.

Debt and Other Issues

Many of the problems arising from gambling are related to finance and debt. The National Debt Line and StepChange can help. Martin Lewis (Money Saving Expert) has produced a good 40 pages guide to mental health and money which you can download, mentalhealthguidedebt-Oct-2020

The Vulnerability Registration Service says, “Consumers in vulnerable circumstances may be significantly less able to represent their own interests, and more likely to suffer harm than the average consumer. Vulnerability is characterised by a range of emotional and practical consequences, including a lack of perspective, poor decision-making, an inability to plan ahead and foresee problems, and changing attitudes towards risk-taking.” By registering with them, you can avoid having to repeat your circumstances again and again to various agencies. Check them out to see what the service can do for you.

For many people, the Citizens Advice Bureau is a great place to start. They’re very known for the help and support they’ve given to so many people on a range of issues over the years. From April 2020 they’ve been training frontline workers to recognise and support people with gambling harms. Their own advisers are trained too. See the latest blog from Citizens Advice Scotland (September 2022) for more.

Also, Turn2Us  offers valuable support.

Advice Scotland advises on debt issues and related legal matters. Their site has many resources for help and can direct you to face-to-face support near to where you live.

Mental Health

As well as being a major mental disorder, addiction almost always is accompanied by other health difficulties. Depression and anxiety are very common. The stress of debt, secrecy, shame, guilt, relationship fractures, work ssues, possibly criminal proceedings al take their toll on both mental health and physical health.

Despite it’s stigmatising nature, the words ‘addiction’ and ‘addict’ are still in common usage among the public, and health and social care workers. Whatever we call it, it is a devastatingly intense mental and emotional pain for a person who desperately wants to stop but can’t. In its wake it brings great stress, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. The same sadly is true for affected others. In a period of recovery, support for mental and emotional distress is very important. There are many places to find support. Some are local, such as COPE or any of the mental health charities and organisations.

Breathing Space  is  a confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious or depressed. Their workers come from a range of backgrounds including mental health, counselling and social work. You can ask to speak to a man or a woman. Their number is 0800 83 85 87.

  The NHS has a great directory for all the UK national organisations that support mental health. Check out too for links Scotland’s Mental Health Partnership and Clear Your Head. And never forget the Samaritans. Whatever you are going through they are there to listen 24/7. Having someone truly listen when you may be in despair is possibly the greatest form of support. Check out these links and the places they take you. Pick up the phone or write a message.

What is called addiction may itself be the consequence of pre-existing mental and emotional distress. People in pain sometimes do harmful things for just a little period of relief, then these things become deeply embedded habits. Others are more prone generally to risky behaviours, for instance people diagnosed with bipolar disorder have a significantly higher risk of running into serious harms from gambling. There is also a strong link between trauma in childhood, adverse childhood experiences, and later issues around what is called addiction. And although any mental health condition is no respecter of things like social class or wealth, people from backgrounds of social deprivation are at greater risk of serious harms from substance dependence and behavioural risks. In any case, for all involved, the experience of gambling damage is intensely painful and will lead to other forms of distress such as depression and anxiety. Very sadly,  in states of great suffering and isolation, feeling trapped with nowhere to turn, some may turn to drugs or alcohol as an ‘escape’. And, of course, drugs or alcohol may encourage reckless gambling.

It is worth approaching your GP. They may not know much about gambling but can help begin untangle some of the difficulties you’re facing, suggest treatments for some of them. refer you to other services. Everybody is unique, and the levels of suffering vary. Remember, about a third of ‘addicts’ to anything recover without support. Younger people, for instance, may ‘mature out’, finding that a marriage and children replaces the old ways of thinking and being. Many others find one of the support organisations listed here enhance their wellbeing and the overcoming of compulsions and impulsions.

Support for Frontline Staff

Frontline health and social care staff are at risk of encountering mental distres sincluding addiction in themselves and colleagues. Perhaps self-stigma here is a particularly intense obstacle to seeking help. There is an excellent page here from the British Medical Association signposting support services and peer networks. An extremely thorough list covers all aspects of staff well being including legal and financial issues, and solid well established support especially for mental health issues and addciction.