Featured image credit: Facebook/PA
Why do people gamble? Well, it's the simple thrill of taking such a risk. The competitive edge of trying to beat another player or the bookie.
They're the 'healthy' motivations for gambling. More often than not, people that gamble for these reasons are sensible with their money. They know when to admit defeat and know when to walk away when the going is good.
But there's a fine line between 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' gambling. As soon as the line is crossed, it becomes a major problem.
If you find yourself using gambling as a way of solving financial problems, you've got an issue. If you start spending more money than you can afford. If you spend more time gambling than with your family, friends or at work. If you find yourself breaking the law to fund your gambling habit.
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Credit: PA
But, most importantly, the moment you realise that you only really feel alive when you're gambling is when you need to seriously look at yourself and find help.
This problem affects more people than you'd think.
Fidel Nikitin was 27-years-old when he decided to gamble the last of his life savings on France to beat Portugal in the Euro 2016 final. As we all know, that didn't happen.
Eder's extra-time winner for Portugal meant Fidel lost the last £2,300 he had to his name.
The mobile phone salesman from Izhevsk, Russia, left a message on his social media account saying, 'Thank you and forgive me' before killing himself.
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Fidel Nikitin. Credit: Facebook
He'd hoped the gamble would help pay off his mounting debts, having taken out several loans to pay for his university tuition.
Police claim he walked on to a train track to end his life.
Reports also claim his friends and family knew he had debts but couldn't work out why he was so devastated at France losing to Portugal.
The signs of someone suffering from a mental health issue related to gambling were there. Unfortunately, the support was not.
To prevent tragedies like this from occurring, it's important people understand how they can spot someone who is suffering from a crippling gambling addiction and how to help them. And thanks to mentalhealth.org, there are clear guidelines about just that.
First, you need to actually talk to them and tell them they need to get professional help. Don't pussy-foot around the subject, get right to it and be firm and constructive.
However, make sure you're not condemning them. You're there to help, not to judge, as that could make the condition a lot worse.
And, finally, do not trust them with money until they've overcome their addiction. It will take time, but with the right help and support, it will happen.
If only Fidel Nikitin had had the help and support he needed, he might not have decided to kill himself.
Words by George Pavlou
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Topics: Euro 2016, Mental Health, Portugal, Gambling, France, Addiction