1) Why this list matters: how to move from feeling stuck to getting real support
If you or someone you care about is asking "where can I find help for a gambling problem," you already have the most important asset: awareness. That awareness makes action possible. This list organizes practical, evidence-based pathways so you can choose immediate steps and longer-term supports that fit your life. I’ll cover clinical treatment, peer support, technology-based barriers, financial safety nets, crisis lines, and more. Each section includes examples, advanced techniques, and a contrarian view to help you weigh options realistically.
Why a numbered list? Because people overwhelmed by gambling harm need clear options they can pick from, not vague advice. Each entry here is a distinct, actionable route you can follow alone or combine with others. Expect specific next steps, examples of organizations to contact, and pitfalls to watch out for. If you read nothing else, use the Quick Win in the final section to make immediate progress in the next hour.
2) Help Option #1: Evidence-based professional treatment and therapy
Therapy tailored to gambling disorder is the most well-researched route for sustained recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely supported by trials for reducing gambling urges and changing unhelpful thinking patterns. Motivational interviewing helps strengthen motivation for change. Some programs combine these approaches into a structured outpatient course, typically weekly sessions over several months.
Specific examples: licensed therapists who specialize in addiction or behavioral addictions; clinics that offer group CBT for gambling; university clinics that include gambling research programs and sometimes offer sliding-scale fees. If there are co-occurring conditions - depression, anxiety, substance use disorder - integrated treatment that addresses all issues simultaneously gives better outcomes than treating gambling alone.
Advanced technique: choose therapists who use exposure-based strategies for gambling triggers - simulated betting exposures with coping practice - and integrate relapse prevention planning with financial safeguards. Consider medication only as an adjunct and under psychiatric supervision: some studies suggest naltrexone can reduce cravings in certain people, while SSRIs may help if there's coexisting mood disorder. Evidence on medication is mixed, so expect careful evaluation and follow-up.
How to find a clinician: search directories from the National Council on Problem Gambling, state gambling helplines, or professional psychotherapy directories filtering for 'gambling disorder' or 'addiction.' Ask about specific experience with gambling, outcome measures they track, and whether they coordinate with financial counselors.
3) Help Option #2: Peer support and mutual-aid groups
Peer support can be both immediate and long-lasting. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offers regular meetings modeled on the 12-step format; many people find the community, sponsor relationships, and lived-experience advice invaluable. Alternatives include SMART Recovery, which focuses on self-management and practical skills, and specialized online forums or moderated groups that use cognitive-behavioral resources.
Examples: in-person GA meetings at community centers, online GA video meetings, SMART Recovery online modules with facilitator-led meetings, and moderated subgroups for family members. Peer groups are often free or low-cost and provide accountability, role models, and a place to practice new behaviors.
Advanced technique: combine peer support with behavioral commitments - create a written "commitment contract" with a sponsor or group that specifies financial boundaries, consequences, and check-ins. Use a sponsor to help manage real-time urges: call or message a sponsor before a risky online session. Some groups maintain hotlines or check-in chains for high-risk moments.
Contrarian viewpoint: mutual-aid groups are powerful for many, but they are not a universal solution. Some people find the 12-step framing off-putting or insufficient for deeply ingrained financial problems. If group culture doesn't fit, seek CBT-based groups or one-on-one coaching instead. The key is sustained connection, not the specific model.
4) Help Option #3: Self-exclusion, account blocks, and technology safeguards
Practical barriers remove the possibility of impulsive betting. Self-exclusion programs let you ban yourself from casinos, sportsbooks, and online platforms for set periods. Many jurisdictions and operators offer voluntary exclusion lists; the UK has GamStop for online betting, while in the U.S. most states have their own self-exclusion options and some casinos participate in multi-venue exclusion programs.
Examples of steps: 1) Enroll in your state or country’s self-exclusion registry; 2) Use blocking software on devices (site blockers and app-blockers); 3) Remove saved payment methods and require passwords or a trusted person’s approval for any gambling-related purchases; 4) Close or freeze betting accounts and ask casinos to confirm account closure in writing.
Advanced technique: set layered protections. For online gambling, combine a self-exclusion registration with device-level blocks (e.g., network DNS filters), bank-level restrictions (block merchant categories), and an accountability partner who has joint control over your funds. A pre-commitment system - where you set betting limits that require extra verification - can reduce impulsive losses if the platform supports it.
Contrarian viewpoint: technological blocks can create a false sense of security if financial controls are weak. If you can access credit or an alternate account, blocks won’t stop you. That’s why pair tech safeguards with financial controls and social accountability for the best results.
5) Help Option #4: Financial counseling, debt management, and legal steps
Gambling-related harm often shows up as debt, missed bills, and financial instability. Nonprofit credit counselors and debt management programs help you create a realistic budget, negotiate with creditors, and prioritize essential payments. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and local consumer credit counseling services usually offer free or low-cost consultations.
Practical examples: consolidating unsecured debts into a manageable payment plan, negotiating hardship arrangements with credit card companies, placing temporary holds on creditor calls, and working with bankruptcy attorneys when necessary. In some cases, a legally enforceable separation of finances - such as a power of attorney or joint account controls - helps protect household assets while you get treatment.
Advanced technique: set up a "managed financial triage" with a trusted financial counselor and an accountability partner. Create an emergency-only cash reserve that others control, automate essential bills on a separate account, and set up alerts for any attempt to open new credit. Consider a limited power of attorney for a spouse or trusted person who can temporarily restrict access to funds if losses escalate.
Contrarian viewpoint: immediate bankruptcy or extreme legal moves can feel tempting for a quick reset, but they carry long-term consequences. Exhaust non-legal debt management and counseling first understanding NCPG's role unless creditors are pursuing aggressive legal action. Also be cautious about handing full financial control to someone without clear agreements and boundaries.
6) Help Option #5: Crisis lines, emergency support, and family interventions
When gambling leads to crisis - thoughts of self-harm, threats to safety, or severe financial collapse - emergency support is essential. For imminent danger to life, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department. If you or someone is feeling suicidal, use the national suicide hotline (988 in the U.S.) or your country's equivalent immediately.
Specific resources: national and state problem gambling helplines often list local treatment providers, counseling options, and crisis services. Some nonprofit organizations offer 24/7 chat services for urgent support. Family members who fear escalation can arrange a structured intervention with a professional interventionist to present options and boundaries in a single, focused meeting.
Advanced technique: design a crisis plan before a crisis occurs. Identify emergency contacts, set up immediate financial blocks that a trusted person can activate, and create a step-by-step process for family members to follow if a loved one is at risk. Family therapy can repair trust and create sustainable boundaries, but only when combined with individual treatment for the person who gambles.
Contrarian viewpoint: some argue that crisis resources medicalize what is primarily a behavioral issue. Crisis services are not a substitute for ongoing treatment. They are essential when danger is real, but long-term recovery needs structured therapy, financial changes, and social supports.
7) Your 30-Day Action Plan: clear next steps you can take now
This section turns the options above into a short, high-impact plan you can follow over the next month. Use it as a checklist and adapt the timeline to your situation. The goal: reduce immediate harm, create safety, and initiate a pathway to ongoing support.
Day 1 - Stabilize finances: move essential payments to autopay on a separate account, remove stored payment methods from gambling sites, and notify your bank you want temporary blocks on gambling merchants if available. Days 2-3 - Get immediate support: contact your state or national gambling helpline (find links via the National Council on Problem Gambling at ncpgambling.org), locate a local peer meeting, and schedule an intake with a gambling-specialist therapist or addiction clinic. Week 1 - Create barriers: enroll in self-exclusion programs, install device and router-level blockers, and set up an accountability agreement with a trusted person who will help monitor your finances. Week 2 - Start therapy and financial counseling: begin weekly therapy sessions (CBT preferred) and an initial session with a nonprofit credit counselor. Bring bank statements and a list of gambling accounts to both appointments. Weeks 3-4 - Build a support network: attend peer group meetings, formalize a sponsor or recovery buddy arrangement, and practice urge-management techniques learned in therapy. Reassess medications with a prescriber if recommended. Ongoing - Review and adapt: after 30 days, evaluate triggers, financial progress, and treatment fit. If something isn’t working, change therapists, add group work, or bring in family therapy.Quick Win: actions you can take in the next hour
- Close or log out of any active gambling accounts and remove saved payment methods immediately. Call a friend, family member, or sponsor and tell them you need support for the next 24 hours. Find your local gambling helpline online via ncpgambling.org and save the number. Bookmark a recovery meeting or join an online meeting today. Set a device-level blocker or uninstall betting apps for now, and move your cards/wallet out of reach.
These quick actions reduce the chance of an impulsive relapse while you put longer-term supports in place.
Final considerations and how to choose among options
Choosing between therapy, peer groups, financial counseling, and technology barriers isn’t an either-or decision. Most effective plans combine several elements: therapy for the psychological drivers, financial controls to stop losses, peer support for ongoing accountability, and crisis resources for emergencies. If you’re unsure where to start, call a national problem gambling helpline or a trusted clinician for a brief assessment. They can help prioritize steps based on severity, co-occurring issues, and resources available in your area.
If you’re supporting someone else, set boundaries that protect shared finances, encourage or insist on professional assessment, and attend family or couples therapy if you can. Recovery is often a team effort, but it requires clear limits to avoid enabling harmful behavior.
Remember: recovery is a process. Small, consistent changes add up. Use the Quick Win steps to stop immediate harm, enroll in therapy and financial counseling to address root causes, and build a support network that helps you stay on track. If you need links to reputable organizations or help finding local services, tell me your country or state and I’ll point you to specific hotlines and directories.