Gambling is a risky activity, and it can be hard to stop. It can harm your health, relationships and performance at work or study, get you into trouble with the law and leave you in serious debt. It can also cause mental illness and suicide.

Gamblers Anonymous is a 12-step program that uses peer support to help people overcome their addiction and build new lives without gambling. Whether you’re an old or young gambler, finding a sponsor can make all the difference to your recovery.

It’s important to find a reputable gambling rehabilitation center that can provide you with the tools you need to stay away from it. These centers are staffed with professionals who are experienced in helping people with this disorder. They offer residential treatment for those who are unable to resist their temptations without round-the-clock care.

They can offer support and advice to you as well, including access to free or low-cost debt counseling services. They can also help you set up a budget so you know how much you’re spending on gambling and other activities.

When you’re having a gambling problem, it can feel like the only way out is to stop playing. But you’ll need to be persistent and determined if you want to break the habit and get your life back on track.

If you’re a family member or friend of someone who has a gambling addiction, it’s critical that you reach out for help. Getting the help you need can prevent further financial and other problems.

It can be difficult to understand why a loved one is struggling with this problem, especially if they’re not in a financially stable situation. It’s natural to want to protect them, but this can lead to overreacting and hurting them in the long run.

Often, the best thing you can do for a loved one is to be honest and let them know how much they are hurting. This can make it easier for them to accept the fact that they have a problem and not feel guilty about it.

A key step in the process of recovery is to reach out for support, and this can be done by contacting friends and family or by going to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting. This type of group is patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous and can provide you with invaluable guidance and support as you begin your journey to a new, more healthy life.

You can also help by setting limits with your own money. For example, make it a rule that you can’t spend more than your monthly income on gambling. You may also need to take over the responsibility of managing the family’s finances so that your loved one can’t easily relapse into gambling.

Finally, you can encourage your loved one to get professional help if they need it. It can be helpful to have a therapist or psychologist help them work through the issues and help them develop coping strategies for gambling addiction.