Worrying about money, concealing debts and hiding the extent of gambling can increase stress and cause disruption in your personal and even professional relationships.
When faced with excessive debts the most important thing to do is not to panic, there is a great deal of help and advice available if you’re in this situation. It’s important to stop and take an objective look at your overall financial situation.
See our video about how Ash got into trouble and what he did about it when he realised it was taking over his life.
Remember: there will be a way out
Take a look at the following points – they could help you tackle your debt and control your gambling:
- As a first step, see if you can control your gambling in the short term while you’re addressing your debt problems
- Talk to a debt adviser or contact Gamcare or Gamblers Anonymous for information, advice, support and free counselling to help control your gambling
- Share your problems with someone who you trust and who could support you
- Ask someone you trust to look after your bank cards for a period of time
- If necessary cut up your credit cards
- See Where to get help if you are in debt to find organisations that can help you deal with your debt and to organise your money better
Take heart
The path to clearing your debts can take time and you will be faced with all sorts of pressures along the way. There will be times when you may feel desperate to gamble – don’t!
Call the free GamCare HelpLine on 0808 8020 133 or log on to the GamCare website to talk to someone about your feelings or try Gamblers Anonymous where you can talk to other people experiencing the same problems as you.
Take a look at Gambling problems for more agencies that may be able to help you.
Taking steps to understand your gambling will eventually help you stay out of debt in the future.