ANYBODY who suspects they have a gambling problem shouldn’t hesitate to heed today’s invitation from Gamblers’ Anonymous.

Life is too short to be blighted by a destructive, undignified issue which responds so well to the support GA offers.

Compulsive gambling is not a sign of weakness, and compulsive gamblers should not feel shame or that they are monsters.

They are simply in the grip of an addiction - one of many addictions to which human beings can be prone.

Some of those addictions are harmless but others, gambling included, can be highly destructive.

Family life, careers, possessions and even homes can be put at risk by an inability to walk away from the racecourse, the casino, the betting shop, the bingo hall, the online gambling site, the roulette machine or the fruit machine.

Never in our history have there been so many avenues for the would-be gambler - or so many temptations for the compulsive gambler.

The Swindon branch of GA reports a drop in attendance, and speculates that the explanation might involve anything from holidays to people thinking they are ‘cured’ and need no longer take part.

We have no idea which explanation is correct, but we do know that GA provides a vital service which has averted ruin for countless people and their loved ones.

That service is open to anybody who feels they need it. It is non-judgemental, supportive, safe, and provided by people who know exactly what the newcomer is going through.