Gambling Addiction Treatment
There are no guarantees in life. In most cases, people can’t be sure what to expect when they enter a situation, whether a job, a relationship, or even a new hobby. Risk is inherent to living life, but most of the time, people have a general idea of their odds and know what is likely, but not guaranteed, to happen.
For some people, however, risk and uncertainty can give them a rush of euphoria. So, they turn to activities with inherent risk and uncertainty, such as gambling. However, many people can find themselves addicted to gambling.
Sivana Rehab is a world-class treatment facility that can offer people the intense support that is often needed to overcome addiction, whether it’s a substance addiction or a behavioural addiction.
What is a Gambling Addiction?
A gambling addiction is a compulsive urge to gamble. Many people develop a gambling addiction because they have a family history of addiction, and gambling just happened to be what they latched on to.
For people who have a gambling addiction, winning or losing is secondary. A person who has a gambling problem can lose their entire life savings or win enough money to make the next several generations of their descendants comfortable; their behaviour will not change. It is not winning or losing that they’re addicted to. It is the ‘high’ that they get from the act of gambling itself.
As losses invariably mount, many problem gamblers will turn to risky acts, such as illegal activities or high-interest loans, to fund their addiction.
Gambling Addiction Treatment
Treatment for gambling addiction and other behavioural therapies are meant to be comprehensive and to help change their relationship with addictive behaviour. Some treatment options for gambling include:
Residential Treatment
In an inpatient treatment programme, people check themselves into a specialised treatment facility. While in this controlled environment, they will receive intensive care and round-the-clock support. Patients will also receive personalised treatment plans so they get the help they need in the way they’ll best respond to.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be a vital tool in treating compulsive gamblers. A particularly potent tool is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT is a form of treatment that is primarily concerned with the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
This form of treatment aims to help gamblers identify the patterns of thought that can lead to problematic behaviour and help address them, thus changing a person’s behaviour.
Another way in which psychotherapy helps is in the way it can treat mental health conditions. This is because many people who are affected by mental disorders use gambling as a way to cope with their symptoms.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual-diagnosis treatment can be essential to treating a behavioural addiction, as mental disorders can often be at the heart of many addictions. For example, problem gambling may be triggered during manic episodes in someone who has bipolar disorder.
Treating the underlying disorder will be essential in helping a person make a recovery, and leaving it unaddressed will leave a patient vulnerable to relapsing.
Holistic Therapy
Holistic treatments can help people affected by gambling by helping them manage their addiction triggers. Mindfulness practices can help those in recovery acknowledge their cravings without giving in to them. Other holistic treatments, such as yoga, can also help a person distract themselves from their triggers and cravings.
Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling Disorder
A major symptom of problematic gambling behaviour is preoccupation. A person who has a gambling addiction will think about the next time they’ll be able to place a bet or other gambling activities constantly.
Another symptom of a gambling problem is increased secrecy. Many people with this addiction may attempt to obfuscate their activities or financial difficulties from family and friends.
Speaking of which, many people who have a gambling addiction will often lose money, and they will borrow money from friends and family to cover these losses. However, many will be unable to repay these debts, which can strain interpersonal relationships.
The financial distress caused by gambling can also force a person to make lifestyle changes, such as selling valuables and downgrading their residence.
How to Help Someone With Gambling Problems?
There are several ways that a loved one can help a person with a gambling addiction. One way is to encourage them to seek help. Getting a professional treatment provider is essential for someone who has a problem with gambling.
It’s important to listen when talking to a person who has a gambling problem. Being confrontational will only make them defensive and less likely to listen. If an intervention is held, getting a professional intervention specialist can help ensure a person listens.
Another way to help is to set boundaries. While it may be tempting to lend someone with a gambling problem money, doing so will only enable their behaviour and further entrench their addiction. Setting hard boundaries can impede their activities to some extent.
Substance Abuse and Problem Gambling
Substance use and gambling addiction can often coexist, which creates a complex and interconnected cycle of addiction. Individuals who struggle with substance use disorder are more likely to develop gambling problems, and vice versa. Both disorders share similar psychological and social risk factors, such as impulsivity, stress, and a desire for escapism.
The use of drugs or alcohol can impair judgement and decision-making, which can exacerbate a person’s behaviour concerning gambling and lead to significant financial and personal consequences.
The stress and anxiety that often accompany gambling losses can drive individuals to use substances as a coping mechanism, which can lead to alcohol and drug addiction. This dual diagnosis situation requires comprehensive treatment that addresses both issues simultaneously.
Treating Problem Gamblers at Sivana Rehab
It’s not hard to fall into unhealthy gambling patterns. A person makes a bet, loses, and then places another bet with the hope of winning enough to cover previous losses. But they lose again. So they place another bet. Maybe they win, but winning lets them know that their luck is changing, so they place another bet.
Gambling addiction can be a difficult cycle to break. But it is a cycle that can be broken. With treatment and dedication, a person who falls into this cycle can retake control of their life.
At Sivana Rehab, we want to help you break the cycle of addiction and regain control over your future.
FAQs
What are the Consequences of Gambling Addiction?
The most prevalent consequence of gambling addiction is often financial ruin. The longer a gambling addiction goes on, the more money a person wagers, which also increases the amount of money that they lose.
Are there Support Groups for Gambling Addiction?
Yes, there are support groups that a person can join for gambling addiction, such as Gamblers Anonymous or Gam-Anon. They offer peer support, counselling and other resources.
Is Self-Exclusion Enough to Stop Gambling?
Often, self-exclusion programmes are not enough to stop a person from gambling. While it may keep someone out of casinos, there are websites and apps that a person can use to keep placing bets. Comprehensive, multifaceted treatment is often needed to help a compulsive gambler change their behaviour.