Seeking help is one of the most important steps you can take to alleviate an existing problem and initiate improvement. Obtaining professional support often makes this easier than attempting to do so alone. This also applies in cases of gambling disorder or pathological gambling behaviour. Below, we will provide you with an overview of the various help options and first points of contact for gambling disorder:
Psychosocial advice and counselling centres offer information on gambling disorders and pathological gambling as well as providing personal counselling. Family members of people with a gambling problem can also seek advice there. If desired, they will offer help in finding suitable therapy options.
Counselling is free of charge and strictly confidential.
The website www.safergambling.de will help you find counselling centres and support facilities near your home.
Gambling problems are treated in outpatient or inpatient therapy settings in both individual and group sessions. Therapy offers can be found via the usual search engines. Health insurance funds usually offer a psychotherapist search function on their homepage, and local support facilities or general practitioners can also assist in the search.
The cost of therapy is usually covered by the health insurance funds or pension insurance institutions. A consultation at a counselling centre can help you find the right form of therapy. They can also help you make an application to cover the cost of treatment.
The following helplines for people with a gambling problem and their relatives get quick help from experts
Counselling services for problematic and pathological gambling behaviour of the Federal Agency for Health Education (BZgA)
030 – 29352615
0385 – 712953
0800 – 0776611
06131 – 206944
0681 – 3090690
0431 – 65739440
Gambling disorder and pathological gambling behaviour are often associated with financial problems and even a high level of debt. Debt counselling centres are there to provide their expertise if you have lost track of your debts or have problems repaying them.
An overview of the debt counselling centres in Germany can be found at www.schuldnerberatungen.org.