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Resources to Help Stop Gambling

Gambling addiction is a destructive illness that can have catastrophic consequences in the lives of individuals and families. The behavior is often termed problem gambling within the support community. With the support of family members and friends, many gambling addicts are able to seek help to overcome their addiction and rebuild their lives.

  1. National Council on Problem Gambling

    • The National Council on Problem Gambling (ncpgambling.org) is an organization devoted to helping people suffering from problem gambling. Their website acts as an informational hub that is a good starting point for people who want to seek help. The council works with prevention programs and tries to educate the public about gambling addiction. There is a 24-hour hotline listed on the website for people who need immediate help, a directory of regional programs and state listings of licensed counselors.

    Gamblers Anonymous

    • Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous.org) is a support organization that offers meetings for people struggling with problem gambling. The recovery program is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. Gambling addiction is viewed as an illness, and recovery is possible by surrendering to a higher power. Recovery meetings give problem gamblers a support community where they can learn from each other and identify with each other's issues. It is a well-connected network that can also refer individuals to regional treatment programs and counseling.

    Books

    • Books are helpful to gain an understanding of gambling addiction and compulsive behavior. "The Gambling Addiction Patient Workbook" by Robert R. Perkison is a resource that can be used along with meetings for self-evaluation. Books can be especially useful for people who are outside of the common demographic of their regional support meetings. Women are often underrepresented at Gamblers Anonymous meetings, and the issues they face sometimes manifest differently from those of men. Books about female gambling addiction include "Gripped by Gambling" by Marilyn Lancelot and "Taking Back Your Life: Women and Problem Gambling" by Diane Rae Davis, Ph.D.

    Treatment and Counseling

    • Options for professional help include treatment facilities and individual counseling. Many counselors specialize in addiction issues, and counselors can be certified by the National Council on Problem Gaming. Treatment facilities can be inpatient or outpatient. They offer varying levels of intensity in recovery programming. The individual's family may or may not be involved in treatment. Some counselors and treatment facilities prescribe medication as part of the recovery program. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used by many counselors to retrain the affected person to change the way they think about gambling.

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