An Cosantóir

| 15 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 15 HEADSPACE & TIMING BY LT COL JOHN MARTIN, PSS Gambling is an Irish institution! Gambling has been a part of Irish life for as long as anyone can recall. We all remember friends and relatives getting excited about the one pound bet on the Grand National, or visits to the greyhound track or the local racecourse. More of us will recall the amusement arcades of our holidays, with the one- armed bandits lined up in blinking noisy rows, ready to relieve the young and the old of their stash of coins. This paints a picture of gambling as a normal part of life, which people enjoy in moderation, and which causes little or no damage in our community. The truth for some people however is very different! Gambling can be a highly addictive activity and can cause serious problems in all areas of our society. When someone has an addiction to gambling that is left untreated, the effects on the individual and family and friends can be catastrophic. So what are the facts about gambling in Ireland? It may surprise you to know that over €5 Billion is gambled in Ireland every year, which is €10,000 every single minute. 12% of all Irish adults bet in a bookies shop every year, while 2% of us bet online. The evidence is clear however that gambling is moving more and more online. This makes it much more difficult for us to recognise when someone we know or love has a problem with gambling and may need our help. It is also interesting to note that the Institute of Public Health believes that problem gambling is almost 2-3 times more prevalent among younger people than their older counterparts. The bottom line is that approximately 7% of all gamblers are in danger of developing a gambling problem at some time in their lives (Freyne, 2015). How will you know if a friend or loved one has a problem with gambling? If someone is unable to stop gambling even when they are losing friends and family and are causing significant damage to their lives, then they have developed a gambling problem. It is important that we are all aware of the possibility that someone we know, either a loved one, a friend or a work colleague, may be developing a problem like this. There are many simple signs that we can look for: • Using money for rent or other purposes for gambling • Having unexplained debt • Too much time on phones or tablets • Talking excessively about gambling • Change in personality or behaviour • Mood swings, especially after gambling • Absence from work, being late for work or poor performance at work • Loss of interest in people or activities • Borrowing or even stealing There are many other signs that we might be able to see. The important thing is that we are able to take action if we realise that there is a problem. What should you do if you think you or someone else has a gambling problem? The good news is that there are many supports available for people who develop a problem with their gambling – sometimes the biggest and most difficult step is the first contact. Here are some of the supports that are available if you or someone you know or care for is in the grip of a gambling problem: • SPUNOUT (Support for young people): Text SPUNOUT to 50808 for 24 hour anonymous text support • Gamblers Anonymous (GA) at https://www.gamblersanonymous.ie and 01 87 21 133 • Extern problem gambling at https://problemgambling.ie and Call back helpline (Monday to Friday) 089 24 15 401 • HELPLINK Gambling problem counselling service at 0818 99 88 80 The earlier that contact is made with these services the better! There are lots of other services which can help with some of the wider issues associated with gambling, including MABS, the money advice and budgeting service, and the Samaritans. Finally Gambling will always be a part of our society. To many it is simply an enjoyable pastime that has no negative effect on family, on finance or on mental health. However, for some of us it is a serious and destructive problem that can do a lot of damage. The good news is that there is a lot of support available when someone wants to do something about it. The first step in recovery is the most important. Serving members of the Defence Forces and their families, and our veterans, can contact pss@ defenceforces.ie for guidance and advice on how to access services to defeat problem gambling. As with everything else, we are stronger when we work together.

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