Liam Colebrook, 40, a former problem UK gambler from Ripley in Derbyshire, is challenging the stigmas surrounding seeking addiction support. Colebrook, who described himself as on a “one-man crusade,” aims to break the silence and encourage open conversations about gambling addiction. His stance matches that of several leading gambling-related charities hoping to encourage more people to step forward and get professional assistance.

Victims Often Feel Pressured to Hide Their Condition

Speaking for the BBC, Colebrook admitted he had suffered through a divorce, financial losses, and struggles with mental health. He emphasized the difficulty of pinpointing when his gambling problems first surfaced, highlighting the societal acceptance of gambling as part of social activities, making it challenging for individuals to recognize when a habit turns into an addiction.

His addiction led to significant losses, not just financially but also emotionally. Despite external success in the workplace and maintaining a facade of normalcy, Colebrook admitted to losing everything, including his emotional well-being. The man hid his problem from family and friends, but after two stints in rehab, he is now committed to dispelling the stigma associated with seeking help for gambling addiction.

Embrace every bit of help you get and understand no one will judge you, and you won’t be the first person to be struggling with this, and unfortunately, you won’t be the last.

Liam Colebrook

While sharing his story, Colebrook acknowledged the societal misconception that gambling addiction is a simple matter of willpower. The man was adamant that any long-term solution included openly discussing the problem and seeking help. He encouraged empathy and understanding, emphasizing that recovery is possible and individuals can reclaim their lives.

Professional Help Is One Call Away

According to gambling harm support group GamCare, its National Gambling Helpline experienced a record number of calls and online messages in 2023. The helpline received 52,370 calls, a 24% increase compared to 2022. The charity also noted a significant rise in calls during the festive period, with December 2023 seeing a 39% year-on-year increase.

Gambling-related stigma has been one of the primary issues facing leading charities. GambleAware, another leading UK gambling support organization, holds regular campaigns aimed at challenging stigma and encouraging individuals suffering harm to seek help. The charity revealed that 62% of the people who know problem gamblers would negatively judge them, impeding timely assistance.

As individuals like Colebrook bravely step forward to share their experiences, the hope is that it sparks a broader conversation about gambling addiction, reduces stigma, and encourages more people to seek help. Organizations like GamCare and GambleAware will remain available to those in need, providing assistance and spreading awareness. Effective regulations are also a necessity, safeguarding gamblers from addiction.

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GambleAware’s newest initiative seeks to dismantle the prevailing stigma around problem gambling by urging individuals affected to break their silence and speak openly about their struggles. PayPlan’s support will significantly bolster the leading charity’s efforts, raising awareness and lending its knowledge on problem gambling.

Stigma Can Harm Addiction Recovery

GambleAware’s research highlighted the societal perception of gambling harm, indicating that three in five individuals tend to judge people struggling with gambling issues. The charity’s recent findings revealed that a staggering 64% of adults who encountered gambling-related problems have never discussed their challenges. 39%– a significant proportion- attributed this silence to the pervasive stigma surrounding gambling harm.

PayPlan’s independent research into problem gambling confirms these issues, uncovering that 30% of its clients felt gambling negatively impacted their mental health. However, GambleAware’s data contains some positive takeaways, as 76% of those who did open up about their gambling issues reported feeling better after discussing their concerns with someone.

Tackling the pervasive stigma surrounding problem gambling is one of GambleAware’s primary goals. The charity held a similar campaign in April, featuring TV host Tyler West, health professionals, and lived experience individuals. Encouragingly, the latest data shows a promising 56% who agree on the importance of challenging the stigma associated with gambling harm.

Collaboration Remains Instrumental to Success

Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, expressed delight in partnering with PayPlan for this campaign, envisioning collaborative efforts to encourage individuals affected by gambling harm to share their experiences and feel secure when doing so. She emphasized the complex and concealed nature of gambling harm, making it challenging to detect when someone might need help.

It is critical that when accessing financial services… people feel they can talk openly about the issues they may be experiencing and are made aware of the support services available.

Zoë Osmond, GambleAware CEO 

Charity GamCare, part of the National Gambling Support Network, highlighted the correlation between harmful gambling and financial debt, lauding PayPlan’s contribution to combating this issue. PayPlan vulnerability lead Emma Gibbons drew attention to the organization’s tailored pathways into debt advice. She also emphasized the need for public awareness and partnerships within the financial services sector to discuss gambling-related issues.

It’s important that we increase conversations around gambling harm and make sure that people have a better perception of those experiencing gamble-related debt.

Emma Gibbons, PayPlan vulnerability lead

The collaboration between PayPlan and GambleAware is a testament to their commitment to creating a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to discuss gambling harm without fear of judgment and seek assistance to overcome such challenges. However, their efforts must also coincide with concerted government efforts to combat the root cause of such issues and encourage meaningful change.

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GambleAware has probed into gambling stigma, realizing that three in four people suffering from gambling harm are afraid to open up to their loved ones. The study confirmed that stigma is a serious problem that prevents people from seeking help.

Furthermore, one in four people think they know a person who has experienced problem gambling. However, 61% of these people do not wish to talk to them because of the stigma.

GambleAware has also commissioned additional probes into people’s attitudes and perceptions of gambling harm. As it turns out, 62% of the people who know problem gamblers would negatively judge them. Despite that, 56% agree that stigma should be challenged.

GambleAware reiterated that gambling harm can have serious lasting effects on people’s mental health and relationships. Seeking to address this, the charity has launched a new public health campaign, hoping to reduce the stigma associated with problem gambling.

The new campaign will leverage ex-problem gamblers who will share their experience to try to “change societal perceptions and understanding of the issue.”

GambleAware’s Initiative Is Backed by Health Professionals

Zoë Osmond, GambleAware’s chief executive officer, commented on the matter, saying that gambling harms tend to be hidden because many people feel embarrassed to talk about them. She noted that no one is safe from such harm, which is why it is important to break down the stigma and address the issue.

Dr Dame Clare Gerada, president of the Royal College of general practitioners, agrees with Osmond on that matter. She noted that problem gambling can manifest itself in various ways, including mental or physical health issues. General practitioners and the health sector as a whole, Gerada believes, should be able to better help people affected by harm.

Dr Ellie Cannon also spoke on the matter. As a general practitioner, she has already worked with patients seeking support for gambling harms. Cannon understands how challenging tackling such conditions can be and hopes that society will “challenge its outdated attitude towards gambling harms and those who experience them.”

The Charity’s Allies Know the Dangers of Gambling Harm

In the meantime, GambleAware has teamed up with Tyler West, a TV and radio presenter whose brother has experienced gambling harm for several years. West knows how destructive such harm can be and understands that stigma is an obstacle to helping people in need.

Meeting others who have been impacted by gambling harms, like my brother was, has really opened my eyes to the stigma attached to an issue that is very close to my heart and how common it is. We need to do something about this.

Tyler West

GambleAware and West worked on a film featuring lived experience individuals. He worked with the leading stigma expert Dr Joanne Lloyd who is just as aware of the dangers of stigma.

Opening up a dialogue is often the first step towards getting help. We know that stigma represents one of the main barriers preventing people experiencing harm from reaching out for support, and so it is essential that we take collective action to tackle this societal issue.

Dr Joanne Lloyd

The charity has also partnered with other organizations seeking to mitigate gambling harm in the United Kingdom. As a part of its ongoing campaign, GambleAware seeks to create a united front of companies from the private, third and public sectors.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive officer of Citizens Advice also shared her thoughts. She noted that harm can affect anyone but people on lower incomes and those living in deprived communities are at a higher risk. She hopes that, with the help of GambleAware, her team will be able to make a change.

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