The first thing I would say is that for anyone looking for help, you are not alone. There are organisations like GamCare, Gamban and GAMSTOP, that have great tools and people to help get you through the tough times.

Mark had a successful career in the financial markets before his gambling behaviour began to take a toll. He says: “I got to the point where I started chasing my losses with gambling, and that’s when I really felt everything went downhill. I began stealing from the company I worked for in …

Mark, 52 from Derbyshire

We installed Gamban on to all of our own devices, as well as our children’s and it felt like a positive step forward knowing that blocking software was installed and that we had gone through the self-exclusion process.

I got so good at lying about gambling, now I help others open up through the Peer Aid programme. You can talk to someone who understands. Call the National Gambling Helpline now for free support, self-exclusion and gambling blocking software.

Carly found help through GamCare on a long night in December last year. “I had been struggling with gambling for around three years. My ‘rock bottom’ was last year, when I lost my home, my job and the relationships that were the most important to me. I knew something had to change, otherwise …

I just want to express my sincere thanks to the GamCare team for their time and commitment – this is something that I should have done a long, long time ago. No matter what situation you are in, contact GamCare for help. It's so easy and so very worth it. As I write this I am on day 95 of my …