{"id":3951,"date":"2022-05-03T11:47:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/gamblingproblemsadult\/"},"modified":"2025-03-26T09:32:18","modified_gmt":"2025-03-26T09:32:18","slug":"gamblingproblemsadult","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/guidelines\/mentalhealthadult\/gamblingproblemsadult\/","title":{"rendered":"Gambling Problems (Adult)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Harmful Gambling <\/strong>is defined as an urge to gamble continuously despite negative or harmful consequences or a desire to stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is estimated that 20% of the UK population (approx 13 million people) experiences gambling-related harm, either to the person themselves who is gambling, or through the gambling of another individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gambling can lead to a wide range of harms including insomnia, financial difficulties (which may quickly become great), physical health problems, mental health issues including anxiety, and relationship problems including domestic violence. <em>Harmful gamblers are 15 times more at risk of suicide than the general population and this is significantly higher in individuals under the age of 30. <\/em>People will often present with these problems rather than mentioning the gambling itself, so gentle direct enquiry may be useful e.g \u2018Do you, or anyone close to you, have an issue with gambling?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/files\/sites\/2\/PGSI-Mini-Screening-Tool-gambling.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PGSI mini-screening tool<\/a> includes some useful questions that can be asked to assess someone\u2019s problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are support services available: <strong>Gamcare<\/strong> and <strong>the RCA Trust<\/strong> work together to cover different areas of the Lothians <em>(please see Resources and Links for more detail).<\/em> There is also a 24-hour helpline and Gamblers Anonymous. Patients can self refer to services or a GP referral can be sent. There are currently no NHS services for gambling in Lothian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>C.M. &amp; J.C. 14-02-24 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs\" data-active-tab=\"0\"><ul class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-links\"><\/ul>\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Referral Guidelines<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p>Adult mental health services do not provide interventions for people&nbsp;when gambling is someone\u2019s primary problem. <strong><em>There are other resources available \u2013 see Resources and Links.<\/em>  <\/strong>Gambling may also be associated with side effects of treatment for Parkinson\u2019s Disease &#8211; if so, please speak to the relevant Neurologist.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Primary Care  Management<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__nav-link\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title-wrapper\"><a href=\"#\"><span class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__title\">Resources and Links<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content-wrapper\"><div class=\"wp-block-getwid-tabs__tab-content\">\n<p>The <strong>National Gambling Helpline<\/strong> is operated by <strong>Gamcare<\/strong> 24 hours a day &#8211; 0808 802 0133<strong> <\/strong>and the website <a href=\"http:\/\/www.begambleaware.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.begambleaware.org<\/a> is good source of information for both professionals and people affected by gambling.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gamblers Anonymous Scotland 24-hour helpline: <\/strong>0370 050 888.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The RCPSYCH has a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcpsych.ac.uk\/mental-health\/mental-illnesses-and-mental-health-problems\/gambling-disorder?searchTerms=mental%20health%20gambling\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">PIL on gambling disorder<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><u>Local<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Lothian there are several organisations providing a variety of supports (both 1:1 and group) to problem gamblers, and those affected by another\u2019s gambling. At present their boundaries are arranged by postcode, rather than council areas so the areas below are for guidance only. They are happy to transfer referrals between themselves if the area is incorrect and are currently working to simplify boundaries. All accept self-referrals or those from others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gamcare Scotland<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamcare.org.uk\/get-support\/find-local-support\/scotland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GamCare Scotland &#8211; GamCare<\/a> &#8211; covers mainly Edinburgh City &nbsp;<strong>0131 261 5220<\/strong>.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>A variety of Gamcare leaflets are downloadable at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamcare.org.uk\/outreach-and-training\/support-leaflets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Support leaflets &#8211; GamCare<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The RCA Trust <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rcatrust.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.rcatrust.org.uk<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rcatrust.org.uk\/\"> <\/a>&#8211; covers mainly East, Mid and West Lothian 01418870880<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gambling Harm Drop-In Clinic (Edinburgh) &#8211; <\/strong>provides information and advice on gambling harms. Please refer people experiencing gambling harm or an affected other who are looking for support or advice. All genders. At Streetreads, 25 Nicholson Square, Edinburgh; second Wednesday of the month 2 pm &#8211; 4 pm<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cyrenians.scot\/how-we-help\/942-chances-gambling-support\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Cyrenians homelessness prevention charity<\/strong><\/a> provides a service called <a href=\"https:\/\/cyrenians.scot\/how-we-help\/942-chances-gambling-support\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chances: Gambling support<\/a>. Chances offers confidential and free one-to-one practical and emotional support to individuals who are impacted by their own gambling or someone else\u2019s gambling. The team adopts a non-time limiting approach to providing person-centred and non-judgemental support, guiding individuals on their path toward recovery from gambling harm. The support offered to those impacted by someone else\u2019s gambling promotes positive communication skills, improves wellbeing and much more. Cyrenians\u2019 covers all areas of the Lothian, Edinburgh and Falkirk and support is available in-person, online and by phone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gamblers Anonymous Scotland <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ga-scotland.org\/\">www.ga-<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ga-scotland.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">scotland.org<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ga-scotland.org\/\"> <\/a>&#8211; has meetings in Edinburgh, Livingston and Musselburgh and also online.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Gambling Signposting Resources<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Betknowmore UK Peer Support: <\/strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.betknowmoreuk.org\">www.betknowmoreuk.org<\/a> (includes women only service)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Thrivin\u2019 Together, women only peer support:<\/strong> <a href=\"mailto:hello@thrivintogether.org.uk\">hello@thrivintogether.org.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GamFam, supporting those impacted by someone else\u2019s gambling:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gamfam.org.uk\">www.gamfam.org.uk<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GAMBAN, blocking software on your device:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gamban.com\">www.gamban.com<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>GAMSTOP, Free online self-exclusion service:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.gamstop.co.uk\">www.gamstop.co.uk<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BANKS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Certain banks offer the ability to limit spending on gambling transactions, block bank accounts or debit cards which will stop the account from being used for gambling transactions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Who should use this? <\/strong>People who are experiencing gambling harm and want to abstain from using their bank cards online or in-person to gamble.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Please see the Gambling Commission website on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk\/public-and-players\/page\/i-want-to-know-how-to-block-gambling-transactions\">blocking gambling transactions<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sense-self-exclusion from casinos:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Sense website allow self-exclusion from all licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain, free of charge. <strong>(Mon-Fri, 9 am &#8211; 5 pm) on 0203 409 2047.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Please see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.senseselfexclusion.com\/#:~:text=SENSE%20is%20the%20national%20self-exclusion%20scheme%20for%20the,Great%20Britain%20by%20means%20of%20one%20easy%20application.\">Sense Self Exclusion website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Harmful Gambling is defined as an urge to gamble continuously despite negative or harmful consequences or a desire to stop. It is estimated that 20% of the UK population (approx 13 million people) experiences gambling-related harm, either to the person themselves who is gambling, or through the gambling of another individual. Gambling can lead to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":4125,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[328],"class_list":["post-3951","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-gamblingproblemsadults"],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":" <a href=\"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/category\/mentalhealthadult\/gamblingproblemsadults\/\" rel=\"tag\">Gambling Problems (Adults)<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Harmful Gambling is defined as an urge to gamble continuously despite negative or harmful consequences or a desire to stop. It is estimated that 20% of the UK population (approx 13 million people) experiences gambling-related harm, either to the person themselves who is gambling, or through the gambling of another individual. Gambling can lead to","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3951","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3951"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3951\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23552,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3951\/revisions\/23552"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3951"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apps.nhslothian.scot\/refhelp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3951"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}