Gambling can be an enjoyable experience for some people, but it can also have serious consequences. It can lead to financial problems, relationships problems and stress. It can also affect a person’s mental health and make them feel depressed. It can make people lose track of their financial responsibilities and cause them to spend money on things they don’t need.

Problem gambling is a real issue in the UK. It can harm physical and mental health, relationships, performance at work or study, get you into trouble with the law and even result in homelessness. In addition, it can be a major cause of family breakdown and social isolation.

Identifying problem gambling is important because it can help you get help and prevent further damage to your life. It’s a disorder that can be treated in the same way as other addictions. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you understand why you gamble and what you can do to change your behaviour.

You can learn more about problem gambling by talking to your doctor. They may recommend a therapist or other type of support, such as a support group or counselling. They can also tell you what signs to look out for if you think you might have a problem.

When you feel the urge to gamble, try to postpone it. This will allow you to think about the reasons you don’t want to gamble and how it will affect your family. If you can’t resist the temptation, distract yourself with something else.

Avoiding the ‘gambler’s fallacy’ is important because it can make you think that you can win back your losses by gambling more. This is a common trap that people fall into and can be dangerous for your health, especially if you are trying to lose weight.

If you are a gambling addict, it’s important to find a treatment that helps you stop using your credit cards or loans to finance your gambling activities. It can be a struggle to find help, but it’s well worth the effort.

Counselling can be helpful, but you may need to talk to someone in person. The Gambling Recovery Centre offers free, confidential help for people who are struggling with gambling. You can contact them on their national helpline or chat online.

You may need to set boundaries in managing your finances, so that you don’t let your loved one’s gambling behaviour take over your own. This will make it easier for you to keep them accountable and help them stay on track.

A treatment programme, such as a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous, can be used to help you recover from your addiction to gambling. You can talk to a sponsor in your area who will help you develop a plan for recovery.

Adolescents can be particularly vulnerable to problem gambling because of their lack of control. They can be tempted by advertisements and pressure from parents or peers to place a bet on games such as football and horse racing.