Help finder

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

Many people immediately associate help with intensive treatment in a clinic, but this is usually not necessary. If you seek help in time, it is often easier to overcome your gambling problem. There are also mild forms of help that you can choose yourself.

Are you in doubt? Call, chat or message OpenOverGokken for free and anonymously, or contact your general practitioner.

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

Only with your consent, the general practitioner is allowed to share your information.

Sometimes you experience symptoms due to excessive gambling, or your symptoms are getting worse because of gambling.

Examples of symptoms:

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

Be honest with your general practitioner about how much you gamble and what problems you have. Then he/she can help you better.  

The general practitioner can help you if you want to stop or reduce gambling. Together you will discuss your situation. Then the general practitioner will see what suits you best.

  • Sometimes the general practitioner can help you directly.
  • Sometimes the general practitioner 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 on 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 to people who have been through the same thing as you. You share experiences and support each other. There are no counsellors present. Together with the group, you look at what can help you move forward. For more information about these groups, please click here.

Psychosocial help

Psychosocial help looks at your behaviour and your environment. This help is available, for example, through community teams, telephone helplines, or your general practitioner.
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.

Psycho-education

Psycho-education means: getting information and talking with a professional. You will learn how to 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 behaviour finds self-help sufficient. If you need more help, you can go to your general practitioner. Your general practitioner can give you advice on where to find 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 always call, chat or email if you want more information about help.

An expert by experience has personal experience with a subject. In our case, that subject is gambling addiction. So these are people who have been addicted to gambling themselves. They use their experience to help others.

An addiction treatment centre is an organisation where staff provide help and advice to people who have problems with alcohol, drugs, medication 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, you need a referral from the general practitioner. 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.