Drugs, Alcohol or Gambling

Around half of adults in the UK use alcohol at least once a week, and many of us will experiment with drugs or gamble at some point in our lives.  Other behaviours, such as shopping, gaming, sex and food are mostly an enjoyable part of our everyday lives. But any of these things can potentially become addictive and lead to problems in someone’s life. An addiction is a substance (like alcohol) or a behaviour (like gambling) that you can’t stop doing, taking or using, even though it is causing serious problems for them, or for the people around them. Addictions can harm physical and mental health, damage relationship with family and friends, how much money they have, their studies or their job.

Substances like drugs and alcohol change the way our bodies and minds work. Some drugs make you wake up and make you want to party (stimulants), and other relax you or make you forget things (depressants).  People may use drugs for different reasons. For example, to feel relief from pain, to feel energetic, or to help them feel relaxed and calm. Some people use drugs and alcohol to block out difficult emotions or make themselves feel better.  y using drugs or alcohol to deal with difficulties, it is likely to become a problem that could seriously affect someone’s life.

How do I know when it’s becoming a problem?

How can you tell when someone’s gaming, shopping, or alcohol drinking might be a problem?  Here are some warning signs to look out for:

• mood swings
• not being able to stop what they’re doing when they try to
• tiredness
• what they’re doing has started to get in the way of their work or studies
• finding it hard to concentrate
• hiding what they’re doing or lying about it
• not looking after how they look or keeping themselves clean as much as they used to

It can be difficult to talk to someone about their gambling, use of drugs, alcohol, or addictive behaviours.  all about what is concerning you and what is available to help. You might support someone to talk to their GP, or check our Get Help Now section below.

If you think that gambling is harming someone you support professionally or the people around them:

• Encourage them to talk to someone they trust if they are worried that their gambling is beginning to cause themselves or others harm. Help is available. It is never too early or too late to seek help for gambling.
• You can signpost them to help, advice, and support is available on this page under ‘Learn More?’ Information about blocking and self-exclusion tools can be found on the ASKLiON Gambling Support page linked there.
• Remember the best way to avoid harm is to stop gambling, and that support is available to help people to do that. If they find that they are unable to stop gambling at the moment, here are some questions you could ask to reduce their risk of experiencing harm:
  • Think about how much gambling is costing you.
    • What else could you do with that time? Set time limits to avoid losing track of the time you spend gambling. Plan a different enjoyable activity to do when your time is up.
    • What else could you spend that money on? Set affordable money limits for yourself. Use cash to help you keep track of and limit your spending (when it’s spent, it’s spent).
  • Try to walk away from losses. Often chasing losses ends up only losing you more money.

If you’re worried that gambling, drugs or alcohol is harming someone that you support professionally or the people around them, or you are worried that they might have an addiction, encourage them to talk to their GP, or check out the Get Help Now section below.