nhs clinic for gambling problems

tirednurse_2

My brother has come to live with me indefinitely.
He has had a problem with gambling for decades and his wife has had enough and wants to divorce him.
I searched and searched the internet, trying to get help for him and came across this clinic in London http://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/national_problem_gambling_clinic.html

As far as I know it is the only NHS clinic in the country that offers help on the NHS. It is beyond me how someone racked with gambling debts would be able to afford private treatment.
This clinic has a self referral form that you can fill in and send back....the waiting list is around four weeks I believe.
I have no affiliation to this clinic, am just wanting to help people find help for this devastating problem.
Brother has filled in the self referral form for this clinic and is waiting for his appointment.

I really really hope that my post will help someone.

Tired.

XXX

mrstinchcombe

I'm sorry if this sounds harsh but is this really what the NHS is for?

When cancer medcines and treaments are a postcode lottery funding seems to be going towards self inflicted problems not directly attributable to health.

You mention the difficulty in an addict paying for private treatment but that should be the way.

tirednurse_2

Having worked as a nurse for more than twenty years I would say that yes, the NHS is for providing psychiatric help for people that need it.
Few people know this clinic exists and my post was written to helpdesperate people and not enter into a debate as to what should and should not be available.

DarkConvict

Gambling is a difficult area to manage. I think it is one for the NHS, gambling is like many other addictions, its the need for a buzz, followed by desperation for more of a buzz.

In terms of debts it is also difficult to manage, as if a majority of debt 40% or more is gambling related it is possible your application for bankruptcy would be rejected, so you can get even more stuck.

Help is always welcome, but those not wanting help are not welcome. They have to make an effort to either stop it , or atleast stop it being a problem.

tirednurse_2

Oh, and by the way, we don't refer to them as addicts.
We refer to them as people with mental health problems.

tirednurse_2

bumping for gamblers and their loved ones.

xx