If you are in immediate danger or feel you may harm yourself, Call 911 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available 24 hours a day. 7 days a week.
Free and confidential gambling help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738) to connect with trained support and local resources. Online chat and help by state are also available. Treatment may include counseling, peer support, financial safeguards, self-exclusion, and other recovery services.
Finding the right help can feel overwhelming. The National Problem Gambling Helpline can connect you with gambling-specific resources for your state. You can also use a confidential treatment locator to search for professional care near you. You deserve support that fits your needs, location, and situation.
You do not have to go through recovery alone. Gamblers Anonymous offers in-person, virtual, and telephone meetings for people who want help with a gambling problem. Gam-Anon offers support for family members and friends affected by someone else's gambling. Peer support can provide connection, understanding, shared experience, and encouragement from people who understand the impact gambling can have.
Gambling-related financial problems can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to solve everything at once. A nonprofit credit counselor may be able to help you review your budget and debts, understand your options, and create a realistic plan. Be cautious with companies promising to quickly erase or settle debt, and understand fees and risks before agreeing to any service.
Creating barriers between yourself and gambling can give you more time to pause and use your recovery plan. Options may include self-exclusion programs, gambling-blocking software, bank gambling blocks, card limits, removing gambling apps, and restricting access to gambling websites or accounts. Different tools work in different places, so choose the safeguards that fit your situation and use more than one layer of protection when helpful.
Gambling problems can affect the whole family. Family members and friends may need support for themselves, even if the person who gambles is not ready to seek help. Support can include learning about gambling addiction, setting healthy boundaries, protecting household finances, talking with a counselor, and connecting with others who understand. You deserve support too.
Young people can be exposed to gambling through sports betting, online games, social media, gambling-style apps, and other activities. Parents and caregivers can help by talking openly about gambling risks, watching for changes in behavior or money, setting age-appropriate limits, and seeking help early when there are concerns. Young people deserve support without shame or judgment.
Gambling problems can be connected with stress, anxiety, depression, shame, loneliness, or other emotional struggles. Support from a qualified mental health professional can help you work through what you are experiencing and build healthier ways to cope. If you are in immediate danger or feel you may harm yourself; Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In the U.S., Call or Text 988 for immediate Crisis Support.
Veterans, active-duty service members, and military families may face unique stress, financial pressure, trauma, isolation, or transitions that can affect gambling risks and recovery. Support is available through Veteran and military services, mental health care, peer support, and gambling-specific resources. Asking for help is a sign that you are taking action to protect yourself and the people who matter to you.
Gambling-related problems can sometimes involve debt collection, bankruptcy concerns, identity theft, scams, contracts, housing issues, or other legal and consumer problems. Free or low-cost legal help may be available depending on your location and situation. Before paying a company that promises a quick solution, check its reputation, understand all fees, and get trusted information about your rights and options.Gambling-related problems can sometimes involve debt collection, bankruptcy concerns, identity theft, scams, contracts, housing issues, or other legal and consumer problems. Free or low-cost legal help may be available depending on your location and situation. Before paying a company that promises a quick solution, check its reputation, understand all fees, and get trusted information about your rights and options.
.If gambling losses have made it difficult to pay for food, housing, utilities, transportation, or other basic needs, help may be available. Community programs can connect people with food assistance, emergency housing support, utility help, and other local services. You do not have to wait until everything becomes a crisis before asking what assistance may be available.
Gambling-related problems can affect employment, income, confidence, and financial stability. Free or low-cost job support may be available for resume help, job searches, and career training, unemployment assistance, and workforce programs. Rebuilding financial stability can begin with one practical step at a time.
Financial hardship can make it difficult to keep up with food, health care, housing, utilities, and other basic needs. Government and community programs may offer assistance depending on your income, household, age, disability status, veteran status, and location. Eligibility varies, but it is worth checking what help may be available. Asking for assistance can be part of rebuilding stability.
If you do not have health insurance or are worried about the cost of care, options may be available. Depending on your income and location, you may qualify for Medicaid, health insurance savings, community health centers, or other low-cost services. Checking your options can help you find Medical and Mental Health support without assuming care is out of reach.
The cost of medications can be a barrier to getting needed care. Assistance may be available through insurance programs, community health centers, pharmaceutical assistance programs, and other trusted resources. Before stopping or changing a prescribed medication because of cost, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or another qualified health professional about possible lower-cost options
Transportation problems can make it harder to reach counseling, support meetings, medical appointments, work, or other important services. Depending on your location and eligibility, help may be available through public transportation programs, reduced-fare services, Medicaid transportation, veteran transportation programs, or local community organizations.
Child care costs and family responsibilities can make it harder to attend counseling, support meetings, work, or appointments. Depending on your location and eligibility, assistance may be available for child care, food, health coverage, early childhood programs, and other family needs. Getting practical support can make it easier to focus on recovery and rebuilding stability.
Gambling-related stress can sometimes exist alongside controlling behavior, threats, financial abuse or violence. If you feel unsafe, support is available. A trained advocate can help you think through safety options and connect you with local services. If you are in immediate danger, Call 911 or b go to a safe place if you can. You deserve support and safety.
A disability, chronic condition, or accessibility need should not prevent someone from finding support. Help may be available for disability benefits, accessible health care, transportation, employment support, independent living, and accommodations. If a website, meeting or service is not accessible to you, ask whether another format or accommodations is available. 0
Recovery is not only about avoiding gambling. It can also be rebuilding a life with connection, purpose, enjoyment, and healthy ways to spend time. Consider free or low-cost activities through libraries, parks, recreation programs, volunteer organizations, faith or community groups, hobbies, classes; and Recovery communities. Finding even one place where you feel connected can be an important part of moving forward.
Breaking Free offers Free printable recovery tools designed to help you plan, reflect, recognize patterns, prepare for difficult moments, and track your progress. Explore Free worksheets, daily planners, urge logs, trigger trackers, recovery reviews, relapses-prevention tools, financial recovery pages, milestone trackers, and the complete Recovery Assessment collection. Use the tools that are helpful to you and return to them whenever you need them.
You do not have to know exactly what kind of help you need before reaching out. Start with the concern that feels most urgent right now—gambling, safety, emotional support, money, housing, food, health care, or another need. A helpline, counselor, advocate, or community resource may be able to help you understand your options and find the next step. You do not have to solve everything today. Start with one call, one message, or one resource.You do not have to know exactly what kind of help you need before reaching out. Start with the concern that feels most urgent right now—gambling, safety, emotional support, money, housing, food, health care, or another need. A helpline, counselor, advocate, or community resource may be able to help you understand your options and find the next step. You do not have to solve everything today. Start with one call, one message, or one resource.
Gambling-related problems can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to face them alone. Recovery is about more than stopping gambling- it is also about rebuilding your finances, restoring hope, and creating a ore secure future. Weather you need help with budgeting, debt, credit, or financial education, the trusted resources below can help you take the next step.
Free, confidential counseling, budgeting assistance, debt management guidance, and credit counseling.
Certified nonprofit credit counselors can help you create a plan to manage debt, improve your finances, and work toward long-term financial stability.
Learn about your financial rights, debt collection, credit reports, loans, and tools to help you make informed financial decisions.
Access your official credit reports and monitor your progress as you rebuild your financial future.
Search for federal and state assistance programs that may help with food, housing, Healthcare, utilities, and other essential needs.
Learn practical money management skills, including budgeting, saving, borrowing wisely, and planning for your financial future.