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Anonymous · Free · No judgment

You're not alone. The cycle can be broken.

Find support, information, and resources to deal with problem gambling. This is a safe space — no judgment, just help.

Take the self-assessmentTake practical steps

Need to talk to someone?

Line 1414 (ICAD)

  • Free
  • Anonymous
  • Confidential

Weekdays, 10am to 6pm

Call now · 1414

Prefer to write? 1414@icad.min-saude.pt

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Where would you like to start?

Choose whatever makes most sense for you right now. There's no right order — and you can come back whenever you need.

Understanding this addiction

Problem gambling isn't a string of bad decisions. It's a cycle that strengthens with every loop — and that can be interrupted.

  1. The bet

    Betting brings a surge of anticipation. The brain registers the reward even when the outcome turns out to be a loss.

  2. The loss

    The loss creates an emotional debt, not only a financial one. It leaves the feeling that something has to be restored.

  3. Chasing the loss

    Betting again to recover starts to feel like the logical decision. It's the most characteristic symptom of gambling disorder.

  4. Momentary relief

    A win — or just the expectation of one — eases things for a moment. The cycle strengthens, and begins again.

and it starts again

The cycle breaks at a concrete point

You don't need to solve everything at once. Understanding where you are, talking to someone, or making access harder — each of these interrupts the cycle in a different place.

See where you standTalk to someoneMake access harder

You're not alone

What you should know

  • Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness — it's one of the bravest steps you can take.

  • Thousands of people in Portugal face problem gambling. Recovery is possible, and help is available.

  • A relapse doesn't erase the ground you've already covered. Every day is a new chance to begin again.

Start today

The first step can be now

Take the anonymous self-assessment or see the helplines. You don't need all the answers — just the will to start.

Call now · 1414Take the self-assessment