September 2021. Arvid Bergman's brother has hit rock bottom. Destructive gambling has taken over his life, the lies and betrayal pile up.
He sees no way out.
"It got so bad that he tried to commit suicide," says Arvid Bergman.
Support is lacking
For a long time, Arvid - who describes how he became co-dependent - had tried to help his brother out of his addiction.
Sure, the home municipality had offered about ten psychological consultations, but overall it was difficult to get the support needed for him and his brother.
Even though there is help available, it is not enough; this is a lifelong illness that you need to work with your whole life.
I have never been offered any family support.
In a recent review, the Swedish National Audit Office rejects the state's work against problematic gambling, while, according to the Public Health Agency, gambling addiction is estimated to cost the state 11.5 billion kronor each year.
It is the municipalities and healthcare that are responsible for preventing and treating gambling problems. Authorities, such as the Public Health Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare, should develop knowledge support to assist the work. The National Audit Office believes that this is where there are shortcomings.
Arvid Bergman agrees.
The state is not doing enough. For example, it takes far too long to get help. A player who seeks help has a very short window in which he or she is receptive. The processes are too long.
In 2025, 72 percent of Swedes gambled for money, according to statistics from the Swedish Gambling Authority. For many, gambling is problematic. Around 350,000 suffer from some form of gambling addiction.
Arvid's brother is no longer among that group - thanks to a non-profit organization.
Mom's help
When everything was at its darkest, the brothers' mother found the number for Spelfriheten, an organization that, among other things, arranges free self-help meetings for both players and relatives.
"When my brother came home from the hospital in September 2021, he started going to meetings. About a week later I started too. It has changed my life. It has been a place where I don't feel alone."
Today, the Bergman brothers are doing well. The future is bright.
"My brother is sober. We both still go to self-help meetings and he continues to work on himself in a twelve-step community. I feel better than ever. No one should have to feel alone in this," says Arvid.
The helpline (020-819100) offers anonymous advice by phone, but also via chat and email.
Spelpaus.se helps you disconnect from all licensed gambling online, in gambling shops, at racetracks and casinos.
The Gambling Addiction Group and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offer peer support, physical and digital meetings in several locations to help people become free of gambling. The Gambling Addiction Group can be reached at 072-3667676 (no text messages) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) at [email protected].
The organization Spelfriheten arranges free self-help meetings for both players and relatives. It has a helpline that is open 24 hours a day. The telephone number is 08-374300. Those who answer are former gambling addicts who are now living gambling-free.
The health center can help you with a referral to a specialized addiction clinic.
Your local social services are responsible for offering support and treatment.
The Swedish Association of Gambling Addiction offers talks, support groups and self-help meetings, both physically and digitally.
