A Guide To Problem Gambling In The UK

Mental illness

Irritability and anxiety is common with problem gamblers. As your habit begins to consume you, and you feel control slipping away, feelings of despair can begin to take their toll. Once this kicks in it becomes even harder to believe there's a viable solution to your problem. And so begins an unhealthy cycle of blame, resentment and anger that can have devastating consequences on your mental health.

Financial Ruin

If you've allowed yourself to bet beyond your means you could find yourself in a sticky financial situation with mounting bills to pay, compounding the stress you already feel, and the threat of potentially losing your home to debt collectors or creditors. It's not uncommon for the most troubled of gamblers to fake illness and take prolonged time off work too, something most employers won't tolerate for long. In the most extreme cases, problem gamblers could find themselves having to declare bankruptcy as a result of their habit.

Social Isolation

Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship, and one thing problem gamblers can quickly find themselves becoming is an expert liar, saying everything and anything to cover their tracks. But lies have a way of being found out, and once exposed can cause the total breakdown of relationships with your family, friends and spouse, whose wellbeing you may have risked in order to keep up your gambling on the sly. Think about seeing your problem through to a healthy resolution with the support of loved ones.