Breaking the cycle of addiction

Gambling support available at Silver Arch

According to data produced by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), an estimated 1 in 30 adults in Ireland suffer from problem gambling, meaning that their gambling behaviour harms their finances, well-being and social circle. Childhood exposure to the practice considerably increases the risk that an individual will develop problematic gambling habits. In a society where almost one-third (64 per-cent) of people report gambling before the age of 18, that is cause for concern.

And it is borne out in practice, suggests Dylan Johnston, a gambling counsellor at Silver Arch Family Resource Centre in Nenagh. Dylan has seen a significant uptick in the number of individuals presenting with gambling problems and addictions in recent years. He says that the gambling landscape has changed dramatically, and he has observed two major demographic shifts - the number of female gamblers is increasing, while the general age-profile is far younger, compared to a couple of years ago.

This brings with it its own challenges in terms of treatment. Gambling support is just one of a multitude of services which Silver Arch provides, but Dylan says it is among the most complex. Problem gambling is usually skilfully concealed, and many sufferers may not actually become aware that they have a problem until they fall into deep financial and psychological trouble. Furthermore, Dylan says a significant stigma still exists in relation to problem gambling. That is another deterrent factor when it comes to seeking support.

“It’s actually more difficult to get people through the door with regard to gambling, compared to our other services,” he says. “Gambling is a little bit more hidden - people don’t know about it as much. And I suppose people often reach out for support only when it hits rock bottom.”

A social escape

There are subtle differences in the behavioural patterns of men and women. Women, he says, tend primarily to engage in casino gambling whereas men gravitate towards sports betting. Everyone is different, he stresses, but for many women, gambling is “a little bit of a social escape.” Regardless of gender, however, the lifestyle of a problem gambler is usually very chaotic.

So what can be done to reduce the degree of problem gambling in our society? Dylan feels that authorities should regulate advertising more and make treatment more readily available. Removing the stigma would also help enormously. However, he feels that gambling culture is heavily ingrained in various aspects of society, and that many gambling companies actually contribute to charitable causes, making them crucial in terms of funding organisations and clubs.

“Unfortunately gambling actually funds a lot of sports and community-based services. The government actually did the maths on it and realised that it’s probably not possible to fully regulate it.”

Dylan, along with his colleagues at Silver Arch, are vastly experienced in dealing with gambling addiction. He recounts horror stories in which individuals have lost mortgage deposits, misappropriated funds from clubs or organisations, and squandered hundreds of thousands of euros. They have seen it all at Silver Arch, and his message is that help is always available, and that there is a way out. The team provides a range of services, extending from one-on-one counselling to aftercare group work to family support. Care is tailored to each individual person, and the team will help to “break the cycle of addiction” and “promote long-term recovery". Ongoing assistance is provided to those in recovery, along with relapse prevention strategies.

While gambling might be ubiquitous in today’s society, expert knowledge of problem gambling is not. But there are professional services out there, like Silver Arch. Nenagh is lucky to have it.

Further information

You can reach out directly to Dylan for confidential support or advice by contacting d.johnston@silverarchfrc.ie.