Reaching out is the first step! There are many things you can do to help reduce or stop gambling, we recommend checking out our Recovery Toolkit which includes all practical tools to help you with this. (Includes blocking software, debt advice, self exclusion, limiting gambling ads, banking blocks)
Some other useful tips are; Understand your triggers, Set Limits, Replace gambling with positive activities.
And finally, don't be scared to ask for help. Breakeven are here to guide you through at your own pace.
Is there a waiting list to be seen by Breakeven?
At Breakeven we pride ourselves on extremely short waiting times.
We will contact you within 48 hours to arrange a time for a telephone assessment.
After your assessment, we will match you with a suitable counsellor who will arrange sessions at a time that works for you, either face-to-face or remotely.
What areas do you support?
We support anyone affected by gambling related harm in the East of England, Sussex, Kent and Medway.
What does the treatment journey at Breakeven look like?
Once you reach out to us (via email/phone/self referral), we will contact you within 48 hours to arrange a telephone assessment. Once we've carried out your assessment, we will match you with a suitable counsellor who will arrange sessions at a time that works for you, either face-to-face or remotely.
On ending treatment, you will be asked if you would like to be contacted at 2 weeks, 3, 6, 12-month intervals to check how you are doing. Should you want or need to return, you will be given the opportunity to do so.
We also have partners that we refer to for other aftercare needs.
My family/friend is gambling but not ready to seek help, what do I do?
We understand how difficult it is for the partner, family member or friend of the person who gambles. It can cause considerable strain on a relationship and can impact the whole household and extended family if someone’s gambling is out of control.
Even if the person with a gambling dependency is not ready to engage with us, we will work with the family member or friend, helping them understand and learn to cope with the impacts of their experience.
Check out our Family and Friends page for all of our tips on how you can help
There's not an office near me, can I still be seen by you?
Yes! We offer treatment services over the phone, remote video call, and face to face in one of our offices. We can help you remotely if you are not able to get to one of our offices.
I would love to meet other women in the same situation as me, is this an option?
WINGS (Women In Need of Gambling Support) is an online platform, facilitated by a counsellor, where you can talk with other women in a similar situation. A safe place to feel understood, share experiences, and gain support, while gaining insights from listening to others. We offer groups for; Women affected by the gambling related harm of family members or friends, Women affected by their own gambling related harm or in recovery, Women affected by the gambling related harm of family member, friend, partners or ex-partner. Check out our Support for women page or contact sallyann@breakeven.org.uk for more information.
Do you offer support for minoritised communities?
We welcome and support everyone. Offering tailored and specialised support for members of South Asian communities, those within the Armed Forces community, and those in Criminal Justice settings. We also provide LGBTQ+ inclusive gambling‑harm support, creating a safe and affirming space for individuals to reach out and get the help they deserve.
Do you offer any awareness or prevention training?
Yes! Spreading awareness is part of our mission. We will attend events in the community, as well as offering specialised Gambling Awareness Training, which is designed to upskill or train people about how best to either help or identify people suffering gambling related harm. The Workplace Charter provides a framework for action to help employers and staff build good practice in health and work in their organisation. The charter supports all types of employers, large and small, from public, private and voluntary sectors.
For more information, visit our Education & Training page or contact drew@breakeven.org.uk
Do any of your team have lived experience with gambling harm?
Lived experience plays a major part in everything Breakeven do. Over a third of our team have lived experience of gambling related harms, and we engage in various lived experience groups across the UK.
Our CEO created Breakeven because of his own struggles with gambling.
If someone wishes to speak to a counsellor with lived experience, this is possible on request.
Do you have any lived experience stories that I could listen to?
The Breakeven Podcast is a series of episodes which shares lived experience stories on a variety of topics. Over the last 2 years of filming the podcast, we've covered a variety of stories including: men gamblers, women gamblers, stories of loved ones, criminal justice, professional footballers, stigma in south asian communities, neurodiversity and physical health.
You can find us on Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts (The Breakeven Podcast), or go to our podcast page on our website.
I'd love to give back to Breakeven, how can I do this?
Thank you so much! Breakeven are a non-profit organisation. Donating to Breakeven will help to offer free counselling sessions to those who are affected by gambling related harm. You can do this by fundraising for us, or donating using our JustGiving link. See our "Support Us" page for more information.
