Gambling is a behaviour that involves risking something of value (money or assets) in the hope of gaining something else of greater value. People who are addicted to gambling may have a difficult time controlling their spending, leading to debt, financial difficulties and even bankruptcy. Some people may also experience problems in their personal relationships, particularly with family members and friends.

There are many things that can contribute to an addiction to gambling, including a family history of gambling problems, childhood experiences, and psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety. Many people who have a gambling problem also experience social and emotional problems, such as loneliness, poor self-esteem and feelings of isolation. Those who are addicted to gambling often feel that they cannot control their emotions, and that they have no other choice but to gamble in order to relieve these feelings.

The first step to recovering from a gambling problem is admitting that you have a problem and making the decision to stop. This can be a hard step to take, but it is important because pathological gamblers tend to go into large amounts of debt and end up stealing or doing worse things in order to fund their habit.

It is helpful to recognise the triggers of gambling and to try to avoid them. For example, if you find yourself thinking about gambling during your commute, consider taking another route or switching the channel if watching sports makes you want to gamble. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of reasons why you want to quit, and to review this list when the urge comes up. This can help remind you of the positive consequences of quitting, such as freeing up money to spend on hobbies or re-establishing healthy relationships.

Identify and challenge unhealthy thinking habits, such as the illusion of control and the gambler’s fallacy. These thinking patterns can lead to compulsive gambling, and they can be reduced by learning coping skills and practising mindfulness.

Encourage the person you care about to talk openly about their gambling issues with someone they trust. This could be a friend or family member who doesn’t have a gambling problem, or it could be a professional counsellor.

Help them to replace their gambling with new, healthier activities. This could include socialising with non-gambling friends, exercising, doing a creative hobby, or practicing stress reduction techniques. It is also important to reduce their financial risk factors, such as avoiding credit cards and only carrying a small amount of cash when going out.

Remember that the person you are trying to support may not be ready to change their gambling habits, and you cannot make them do so. Rather than lecturing them, try to focus on the ways their gambling is causing harm for themselves and others. You might suggest that they seek professional help, such as through an addiction treatment centre or a peer support group like Gamblers Anonymous. You might also offer to help with bills or look after their credit and EFTPOS cards in case they start to withdraw funds from these accounts.