Social Prescribing Resource Sheet:
Gambling & Gaming Addiction

 

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Gambling & Gaming Addiction

This resource sheet brings together national support for gambling and gaming addiction, including crisis help, self-care, digital tools, reading, and tailored support for young people and veterans.

If you need immediate help or further support, contact your GP, or in a crisis use the Samaritans on 116 123 or NHS 111.

If you require further support in accessing these, or other services, please contact the Social Prescribing Team on 01308 428943 or contact us via secure online form.

gambling-addiction

 

Social Prescribing is available at your GP Surgery

No need for a referral; contact us directly to see if we can support you.

  • Support with finances
  • Getting active
  • Hobbies and interests
  • Connecting to community
  • Supporting wellbeing
 

Emergency Support

If you feel it would help to talk to someone about how you are feeling or you’re in distress, the following free helplines are available:

Samaritans

What it is: Emotional support any time of day. Confidential listening for people in distress.

Phone: 116 123

Website: samaritans.org

NHS 111

What it is: For urgent health concerns when it’s not a life-threatening emergency; can signpost to addiction-related support.

How to access: Call 111 or use the online NHS 111 service.

National Support

Adfam

What it is: Support, information and empowerment for families, friends and carers affected by someone else’s gambling or addiction.

Website: adfam.org.uk

Aquarius Adult Gambling Service

What it is: Support for people affected by gambling, or the gambling of a loved one, through one-to-one or group sessions.

Phone: 0300 456 4293

Email: gambling@aquarius.org.uk

Website: aquarius.org.uk

Be Gamble Aware / GamCare

What it is: National treatment and advice service for problem gambling offering information, support, helpline and live chat.

Phone: 0808 8020 133

Webchat & Help: gamcare.org.uk

Safer Gambling Advice: begambleaware.org

Gamblers Anonymous

What it is: Mutual support fellowship for anyone concerned about their gambling.

Phone: 0330 094 0322

Email: info@gamblersanonymous.org.uk

Website: gamblersanonymous.org.uk

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

What it is: Support for those experiencing suicidal thoughts and distress, which can intersect with addiction-related struggles.

Phone: 0800 58 58 58

Website: thecalmzone.net

SupportLine

What it is: Emotional support across a range of issues including addiction-related distress.

Phone: 01708 765200

Email: info@supportline.org.uk

Website: supportline.org.uk/problems/a-z

Mind

What it is: Information and support for mental health, including the links between money, gambling and mental wellbeing. Infoline offers signposting.

Helpline: 0300 123 3393

Website: mind.org.uk

Adult Self-care & Therapy Directories

What it is: Listings to find private or low-cost counsellors or therapists; check credentials, cost, and cancellation policy.

Examples:

BABCP (Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies)

British Psychological Society - Find a Psychologist

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Support for Young Adults

National Centre for Gaming Disorders

What it is: Support for young people (up to ~25) experiencing problematic gaming behaviours; accepts self-referral.

Phone: 020 7381 7722

Email: ncba.cnwl@nhs.net

Website: cnwl.nhs.uk

Kooth

What it is: Free, anonymous online mental health support for up to age 25, including discussion boards and counselling.

Website: kooth.com

YoungMinds

What it is: Advice, information and support for young people under 25 on mental health, including issues related to addiction.

Phone: 0808 802 5544

Text: YM to 85258

Website: youngminds.org.uk

Support for Veterans

Combat Stress

What it is: Mental health support for veterans, including self-help resources and specialist pathways.

Phone: 0800 138 1619

Website: combatstress.org.uk

Op COURAGE

What it is: Mental health specialist service for serving personnel and families, offering support across mental health, financial, housing and more.

Phone: 0300 323 0137

Email: mevs.mhm@nhs.net

Website: opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk

Video & Audio

Feel Better Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

What it is: Conversations and tips around wellbeing, including breaking habits and behavioural change related to substance use and lifestyle. drchatterjee.com

Say Why to Drugs

What it is: Podcast exploring substances, their effects, and psychological perspectives. podcasts.apple.com

Apps

What it is: Quality-assured digital tools to support recovery and self-management. This sheet signposts to the ORCHA health app library via Our Dorset (which curates and reviews apps).

App Library: ourdorset.orchahealth.com/en-GB

GamStop: Tools to restrict online gambling activity. gamstop.co.uk

RescueTime: Tracks digital behaviour to help understand time use. rescuetime.com

Reading

Reading Well

What it is: Books recommended by health experts and people with lived experience to support behaviour change, mental health and addiction recovery. reading-well.org.uk

This Naked Mind

What it is: Book and community by Annie Grace about changing your relationship with alcohol and developing self-awareness around addictive patterns.

Title: This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life.

Availability: Libraries, online retailers, second-hand stores.

 

Further Information

While we hope you may find something here that supports you, please note that these resources are not all officially endorsed by the NHS. We endeavour to ensure that all listings are accurate and up to date, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee this at all times.

If you are a local service, organisation or group that would like to be included in this guide, please contact us via secure online form and tell us about your support offering.

Last updated: July 2025.