How useful is a gambling addiction self-help group?

According to the Gambling Atlas 2023, around 4.6 million adults in Germany alone are addicted to gambling or at least show symptoms of gambling addiction. More and more of those affected are seeking help in self-help groups in order to reflect on their gambling behavior and then, at best, regulate it. But is a self-help group really an effective means of combating gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction often does not develop overnight, but quietly and secretly over time. Recognizable characteristics include a loss of control, addictive pressure, tolerance development, longer playing times and withdrawal symptoms.

Anyone who notices that their gambling behavior is out of control should seek professional help as soon as possible. A gambling addiction self-help group can be an effective tool for working on your own problems and exchanging ideas with other sufferers. At the end of November last year, we reported on a study which came to the conclusion that gambling addiction is even more dangerous than previously assumed.

Gambling addiction: symptoms, progression and causes

Gambling addiction: How useful is a self-help group?

A self-help group can be an important anchor for many a gambling addict in a personal crisis situation. In a protected space, gambling addicts have the opportunity to talk to other addicts about their experiences and to support each other. Sharing experiences with other addicts is often the key to overcoming one's own gambling addiction.

In addition, a gambling addiction self-help group can help those affected to overcome their feelings of guilt and shame. It is often the first time they talk to other people about their life situation and their problems, which can bring a great deal of relief. Gambling addicts are much more likely to feel understood and accepted by others.

How can gambling addiction be recognized and combated?

Gambling addiction self-help group: what services are available?

Nowadays, there are many different types of self-help groups. As part of gambling addiction therapy, it can be useful to join a specific group of people affected. For example, there are self-help groups for certain age groups or groups where those affected have a problem with a specific type of gambling such as sports betting or online slots.

There are also differences in terms of where members meet. While many groups still meet in person and talk about their problems over coffee and cake, for example, there are now also online-only groups.

In some cases, trained therapists or psychologists take part in the meetings, while in others, those affected keep to themselves. When an expert is present, it is of course much easier to discuss the symptoms and causes of gambling addiction and then to combat them effectively. As a rule, a gambling addiction self-help group only makes sense if professional therapy is also used. Of course, simply exchanging ideas with like-minded people is no substitute for professional therapy for gambling addiction.

There are currently 76 self-help groups for gambling addiction in Germany on the website "Spielsucht-Therapie.de" alone. Due to the large number of self-help groups, we have only listed a few locations, names, addresses and contact details below:

• Berlin: Ambulante Suchtberatung Pankow, Donaustr. 83, 12043 Berlin, Tel. 030 400370 100
• Bonn: Spielerselbsthilfe Bonn (AWO), Neustraße 86, 53225 Bonn, Tel. 0176 22311692
• Bremen: Spieler helfen Spielern / Freundeskreise für Suchtkrankenhilfe LV, Gröpelinger Heerstr. 104-106, 28237 Bremen, Tel. 0174 599 3611
• Chemnitz: Advent-Wohlfahrtswerk e.V. (gambling), Hans-Sachs-Str. 9, 09130 Chemnitz, Tel. 0371 5380625
• Düsseldorf: Gambling group Düsseldorf (Diakonie), Langer Str. 20a, 40233 Düsseldorf, Tel. follows
• Erfurt: SHG Glücksspielsucht Erfurt, Brühler Straße 55, 99096 Erfurt, Tel. 0151 25654334
• Flensburg: ADS-Jugendtreff, Alsenstr. 10, 24939 Flensburg, Tel. 04636 977242
• Frankfurt (Oder): SHG Glücksspielsucht, Klabundstr. 10, 15232 Frankfurt (Oder), Tel. 0335 545759
• Hanover: Self-help group for gambling-free gamblers, MH Hanover, 30625 Hanover, Tel. 0176 416 955 35
• Hamburg: Die Boje, free self-help group in the addiction help center, Brauhausstieg 15-17, 22041 Hamburg, Tel. 040 444 091
• Koblenz: Caritasverband Koblenz e.V., Im Acker 23, 56072 Koblenz, Tel. 0261 9116040
• Cologne: Gamblers Anonymous Cologne (parish), Antoniterstr. 14-16, 50677 Cologne, tel. to follow
• Munich: Gamblers Anonymous GA Munich, Westendstr. 68, 80339 Munich, Tel. 0176 51727220
• Offenburg: BLV - Sucht Beratungsstelle, Grabenallee 5, 77652 Offenburg, Tel. 07802 8780779
• Regensburg: SHG for gamblers Regensburg, Hemauerstr. 10c, 93047 Regensburg, Tel. 0941 630 827 0

Note: The complete list of all self-help groups can be found here (as of January 8, 2025).

In the past, we at GambleJoe have often dealt critically with the topics of problematic and pathological gambling behavior. In one of our informative casino guides, we write in detail about official offers of help for gambling addiction:

Casino guide: Official offers of help for problem gambling behavior

Conclusion

A gambling addiction support group can be a relevant part of recovery. However, in addition to the exchange with other gambling addicts, those affected should ensure that psychotherapeutic and medical treatment by appropriate specialists is not neglected. Of course, great importance is attached to confidentiality and anonymity in the self-help groups. It is not uncommon for friendships to develop within the groups that can last a lifetime.

Source of the picture: https://pixabay.com/de/photos/seminar-stühle-selbsthilfegruppe-7275250/