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Children and adults alike are being “flooded” with gambling ads, with the number of people seeking help reaching a record high, health officials have warned.
NHS England Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard said the ease of ‘pressing a button’ online gambling is fueling addiction, with seven more specialist clinics opening in response to growing demand for care. I warned you.
Statistics released today showed 1,389 patients sought help last year, up from 1,013 the year before and 775 two years ago, a record high.
The announcement comes just days after the coroner ruled that a gambling disorder contributed to the death of the father of two.
Luke Ashton had lost thousands of pounds gambling on the Betfair exchange before committing suicide on 22 April 2021 at the age of 40, and had £18,000 in debt by then.
At the end of a three-day autopsy into his death at Leicester Coroner’s Court on Thursday, regional coroner Ivan Cartwright said the gambling company could do more to help him before he committed suicide. said.
New NHS clinics to treat severe gambling addiction through cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, support groups and aftercare have been established in Milton Keynes, Thurrock, Bristol, Derby, Liverpool, Blackpool and Sheffield.
Psychologists, therapists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and peer support workers staff the clinics to provide support not only to patients but also to their families, partners and caregivers.
NHS England plans to treat up to 3,000 patients a year in 15 clinics, adding to clinics already operating in London, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Southampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Telford, as well as national clinics is. is based in London and treats both gambling and gaming addiction in children and young people.
A mother described the role of Northern Gambling Damage Services in her son’s treatment.
“As a caring parent, it is very painful to know the pain, guilt, shame and loss that gambling can bring to a child. The fear I felt was very real and raw.
“NHS Gambling Damage Services has guided and supported us on the right path as a family and in understanding more about gambling addiction. We cannot thank NHS services enough for the support and encouragement we have received.We feel our son is back.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s 75th anniversary of the NHS, Ms Pritchard said: “When the NHS was founded in 1948 you had to go to a bookmaker to place your bets, but now people can put their bets on their phones at the push of a button. You can gamble on your phone, and everyone, young and old, is exposed to advertisements that encourage them to participate.
“Record numbers of people are coming to the NHS seeking treatment for gambling addiction, a cruel disease with the power to destroy people’s lives, with referrals up by more than a third compared to last year. I’m here.
“The NHS has responded quickly and is rolling out seven new gambling addiction clinics across England to help even more people get help from the NHS when they need it.”
One patient assisted by Northern Gambling Injury Services said, “A gambling addiction has taken over my life, led me to suicidal thoughts, and destroyed relationships with family and friends.
“By joining the NHS service, I have gained control over my life, re-established trust with my family and friends, and once again have happy and healthy relationships with those close to me.”
Public Health Minister Neil O’Brien commented on the new clinic: “The sharp rise in the number of people seeking NHS treatment for gambling-related harm shows that gambling can have a devastating effect on people’s lives and health.”
“These new clinics will bring vital assistance to more parts of the country and help thousands more people get the help they need.
“We have taken decisive action to address gambling-related harm through our White Paper, including introducing a statutory levy to ensure that gambling companies pay their fair share of the cost of treatment services. It also includes a commitment.”
About 138,000 people may engage in questionable gambling behavior, and about 1.3 million may engage in moderate or low-risk gambling, according to Gambling Commission statistics. , and other studies estimate that this number could be higher.