SVT’s (Swedish Television) story about Simon shows how gambling addiction can start much earlier than many people think. Already at the age of 15, gambling took off in a digital environment where the line between computer games and gambling for money became increasingly blurred. What started in the digital world eventually developed into a serious and long-term gambling addiction, with major consequences for both finances, well-being and life situation.
What makes these types of stories particularly important is that they highlight how gambling addiction rarely occurs overnight. The problems often grow gradually, and by the time those around them see the seriousness of the behavior, it is sometimes already deeply rooted. For many, it is not just about money, but about loss of control, shame, stress, mental illness and the difficulty of breaking a destructive pattern.
Simon’s experience also shows how difficult it can be to get the right support at the right time. When the focus is primarily on the financial consequences, there is a risk that the addiction problem itself will be overlooked. To prevent and treat gambling addiction more effectively, we need to get better at detecting risky behaviors early, monitoring development over time, and understanding what actually drives the behavior.
This is where digital support interventions like Previct Care can play an important role. By enabling ongoing monitoring of well-being, motivation and risk patterns, therapists can get a clearer picture of the individual’s situation between care contacts. This creates better conditions for identifying warning signs early, capturing changes in behavior and providing support before problems worsen.
In cases like this, Previct Care can provide structure, continuity and more person-centred support. It does not replace treatment, but can enhance it by giving both the individual and the therapist better opportunities to monitor development over time and act earlier. When it comes to gambling addiction, early detection and close follow-up are often crucial to creating real change.
Read the full article from SVT here (Swedish)
Note: Illustrative image. The person in the image has no connection to the person mentioned in the article.