Help finder

Sometimes you need a little extra help. Are you concerned about your own gambling? Or about someone else who is gambling too much? See below which type of help suits you. What do you prefer?

Many people think of help as an intensive inpatient treatment, but that is usually not necessary. If you seek help in time, it is often easier to overcome your gambling problem. There are also lighter forms of help you can choose yourself. 

OpenOverGokken Help Seeker — full decision tree

In doubt? Call, chat, or message OpenOverGokken for free and anonymously, or contact your GP.

If you have complaints or problems, you can go to your general practitioner. Your GP has professional confidentiality. This means: your GP is not allowed to tell others anything about you. Not to your employer. Not to your partner. To no one.

Only if you agree, can the GP share your information.

Sometimes you get complaints from gambling too much or your complaints get worse due to gambling.

Examples of Complaints are:

  • Being very tired
  • Stress or tension
  • Poor sleep
  • Insecure, anxious or depressed
  • Money problems
  • Problems at work or at home

Tell your GP honestly how much you gamble and what problems you have. Then the GP can help you better.  

The GP can help you if you want to stop or reduce gambling. Together you will discuss your situation. Then the GP will look at what suits you.

  • Sometimes the GP can help you directly.
  • Sometimes the GP refers you to someone else. For example, to an organization for addiction help.

If you or someone in your environment has problems with gambling, it’s good to know that help is available. There are different ways that can help you gain more control over the situation.

Below you can see a few forms of help:

Online Help: Information and Assistance via the Internet

On this website, you can find a lot of information about gambling problems and gambling addiction. There is also a self-help module and you can read how other people have dealt with their gambling problems.

Self-help Groups and Discussion Groups

In self-help groups and discussion groups, you talk with people who have experienced the same as you. You share experiences and support each other. There are no professional helpers present. Together with the group, you look at what can help you move forward. Click here for more information about these groups.

Psychosocial Help

Psychosocial help looks at your behavior and your environment. This help is available, for example, through community teams, telephone helplines, or your GP.
You get support to deal with gambling differently and to persevere during your treatment. Do you want to know what different methods are available? Then contact OpenOverGokken.

Psychoeducation

Psycho-education means: getting information and talking with a professional. You learn how to better deal with gambling problems, difficult situations, and unpleasant thoughts. This information often makes you feel stronger and able to make better choices. Do you want to know how to get in touch with a professional? Then contact OpenOverGokken.

Not everyone who wants to change their gambling behavior finds self-help sufficient. If you need more help, you can go to your GP. Your GP can advise you on where to get help in your area and together you will discuss which form of help suits you. You can also find an overview of organizations in your area that can help you with your gambling problems in the Help Finder.

You can also always call, chat or email if you want more information about help.

A peer support specialist has personal experience with a subject. In our case, that’s gambling addiction. So these are people who have been addicted to gambling themselves. They use that experience to help others.

An addiction care facility is an organization where staff provide help and advice to people who have problems with alcohol, drugs, medications, and gambling.

The people who work here have a lot of knowledge in the field of gambling and there are various treatments to help you. Usually, a referral from the GP is needed. After registration, you get an appointment for an initial consultation. There is an addiction care facility in every region. You can call or email us if you have questions.