Counselling for gamblers in North Dorset

A compulsive gambler has an uncontrollable urge to gamble: even when the bills pile up, a gambler will continue to hide the problem, fearing that others will discover how much has been lost on a mere game of chance.

Panic may then set in, but then the slightest amount of good news will bring back optimism and so the gambling begins again. The struggle becomes increasingly difficult on a daily basis sometimes resulting in emotional outbursts.

Links between gambling and addiction

An addiction is an inability to stop repetitive behaviour in spite of the harmful consequences, sometimes masking a recurring depression or anxiety which you feel unable to face. Gambling fits into this criteria.

Gambling is an addiction that brings despair, humiliation and causes deterioration in almost all areas of a gamblers life. Quite often, depression, excessive drinking and gambling accompany a gambling addiction; Nevertheless, treatment is highly effective and soon a gambler can soon have a normal happy and healthy life.

Signs of compulsive gambling

• Continued gambling despite obvious loss
• An almost obsessive need to spend time gambling
• Taking out loans, just to gamble
• Increasing amounts of money spent gambling
• Secretive behaviour

Causes of gambling

Research has suggested that the cause of gambling addictions can be partly due to physical or hereditary predispositions, however this has never been proven; It is more likely that a person's experiences and personality type play a large part in the addiction.

How can I cope with gambling ?

Bet you wont click here to email us, or telephone the number at the top of the screen. If you do, you can discuss your big wins with us in our therapy rooms in shaftesbury.