GA is not a substitute for professional treatment and anyone with a gambling disorder or affected by someone’s gambling should seek professional help. Many states have problem gambling helplines that can provide referrals to professional treatment providers. The national problem gambling helpline is 1-800-522-4700.
Compulsive lying disorder is a psychological problem, wherein a person tells lies, mostly even without realizing it. Though it is quite a dangerous problem, good and timely treatment can help in curing a person's constant need to lie. Compulsive gambling is a serious condition that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment. “Compulsive gambling leads to an addiction, which is a psychological symptom that is well-understood and treatable with psychotherapy oriented toward that understanding. It is not a biological, genetic or moral issue, and it is not fundamentally different from other compulsive behaviors or addictions.”. None of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months. In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met during a period of 12 months or longer. Gambling Disorder in the DSM-5.
Compulsive gambling is a damaging disorder that destroys families, reputations, and finances. The best gambling addiction treatment programs provide individuals with multidisciplinary approaches. Individuals who abuse alcohol or drugs may also need help quitting those substances. Not every addiction treatment program is qualified to help individuals addicted to gambling, though. Choosing the best gambling problem treatment means finding a rehab center that specializes in compulsive gambling recovery.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Compulsive Gambling Treatment Program
Gambling addicts often respond to gambling in the same biochemical way individuals who use alcohol and drugs do. Getting the same rush means taking bigger and bigger risks. Obsessive thoughts take over, and gambling becomes the sole focus of the struggling individual’s life. Even when severe consequences result from gambling, the affected individual is unable to stop. The right compulsive gambling treatment program should:
- Provide psychological treatment and pharmacological intervention, if necessary. Individuals with compulsive gambling disorder may find symptomatic relief through one-on-one therapy. Certain medications, such as non-addictive antidepressants and mood stabilizers, may also be helpful during compulsive gambling treatment. Seek out programs that employ qualified professionals with experience treating compulsive gambling.
- Diagnose and treat a co-occurring disorder. Many individuals with addiction also suffer from a preexisting, co-occurring disorder such as depression, anxiety, or schizophrenia. This is called dual diagnosis. Individuals with dual diagnosis use the addictive behavior to escape the symptoms associated with the underlying mental health disorder. It is not always easy to identify dual diagnosis, either, because addicted people often develop symptoms that mimic depression and anxiety. If you suspect a preexisting mental health disorder exists, you will need a rehab program that treats dual diagnosis.
- Provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Cognitive behavioral therapy is a customized, short-term therapy that teaches practical techniques to cope with cravings, deal with stress, and avoid dangerous triggers. It also helps people change persistent thought patterns from negative to positive. CBT is one of the most popular and effective addiction treatments in use today.
- Offer substance abuse treatment. Many individuals with compulsive gambling addiction also abuse drugs or alcohol. If drinking and drug use accompany gambling, you will need a program that can help with both problems. Consider rehab centers that feature medically assisted detox and counseling, as well as access to support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and alternative SMART Recovery.
- Provide access to alternative and 12-Step-based gambling self-help groups. Many people find lasting relief through support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, while others prefer organizations such as SMART. If you are not sure which approach to use, find a rehab center that gives you access to a variety of options.
Recover From Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is a disorder that has associated with alcoholism, depression and other co-occurring disorders. Recovering is possible, and those who engage in comprehensive treatment often achieve a positive outcome. Rehab may include intervention for substance abuse or another mental health disorder and behavioral therapy. With aftercare and a commitment to long-term self-help group participation, the outcomes improve even more.
Gambling, for some people, is a leisure activity that offers a night out on the town enjoying time with friends and family, with a distant possibility of winning money. For other people, the stakes are higher. After all, gambling is a $40 billion dollar industry in the United States. In Las Vegas alone—the unofficial gambling capital of the world—the casinos bring in over 10 billion dollars from people placing bets. Though many of those people only gamble once in awhile, there are people who make gambling the center of their universe. In other words, they are addicted to gambling.
The temptations to gamble are everywhere and you don’t need to be in a casino to try your luck. Every state in America, with the exception of Utah and Hawaii, offer some type of legalized gambling—from old-school slot machines to sports-betting apps and everything in between. The accessibility to gambling has only amplified with the Internet. Based on various surveys in recent years, it is estimated that two million people in the US are addicted to gambling. But that figure has the potential to increase at anytime, because those same surveys revealed as many as 20 million people noting that their gambling habit had begun to interfere with their work and social life. That type of behavior falls into the category of “compulsive gambling,” which is the stage before gambling addiction.
What is Compulsive Gambling?
“The shortest version is that compulsive gambling is, as its name implies, a compulsion,” says Lance Dodes, MD, author of THE HEART OF ADDICTION: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors. “Compulsive gambling leads to an addiction, which is a psychological symptom that is well-understood and treatable with psychotherapy oriented toward that understanding. It is not a biological, genetic or moral issue, and it is not fundamentally different from other compulsive behaviors or addictions.”
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Usually, people start out gambling for fun, and then they lose money they didn’t mean to, and they end up chasing that loss until all their money is gone. And in many cases, people are gambling because they have faced emotional and financial losses and they are trying to console themselves.
There is a misconception among many people that problem gambling, another term for gambling addiction, is not a big deal. “Most people don’t realize that problem gambling is a real disorder, just like alcohol or drug addiction,” says Shelia Moran, director of communications and marketing at First Choice Services, a nonprofit agency in West Virginia dedicated to mental health issues and problems. “They think it’s just a bad habit that can be easily ended. The good news is that we find most people who get treatment are able to successfully stop gambling.”
Gambling and Co-Existing Mental Health Conditions
Sadly, it is estimated that over 80% of people who suffer from some type of gambling addiction never seek treatment, no matter how bad their problem is. Other statistics reveal that while there are people who do seek treatment for their gambling addiction, over 70% end up returning to the world of betting. People with this type of disorder are more likely to suffer from other types of mental health and substance abuse issues. Many gamblers also have an alcohol disorder or addiction, and over half were nicotine dependent.
The emotional toll it takes on people is devastating, and in many cases a gambling addiction can also bring bouts of depression, and in extreme situations may lead to suicidal thoughts or tendencies. People with a gambling addiction are also prone to anxiety, high stress and extreme sadness. When a gambler loses everything, their life will suddenly become hopeless and they fear what the future might bring.
Gambling Addiction Symptoms and Signs
As with other addictions, there are warning signs to look out for. These include:
- Keeping gambling habits a secret
- Having trouble controlling their gambling habit
- Continuing to be involved with a gambling habit when they cannot financially afford to do so.
- Resorting to illegal activities to pay for their gambling habit
Physical symptoms of excessive gambling include problems sleeping, weight gain or loss, dark circles under the eyes and extreme headaches.
How can you tell if someone has a gambling disorder? The American Psychiatric Association has developed guidelines and says that a person requires at least four of the following issues to take place during the past year:
- A person feels the need to gamble with an increasing amount of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
- A person becomes angry, restless or irritable when someone tells them to cut back on their gambling, or to stop it altogether.
- A person will have unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop gambling on their own.
- A person has frequent thoughts about gambling, including reliving past gambling adventures, planning their next gambling outing, and thinking of ways to get money to gamble with.
- A person will often gamble when they are feeling distressed.
- After a person loses money, they return to try and “get even” (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses)
- A person will not hesitate to lie to hide their gambling activity.
- A person will jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling.
- A person will begin relying on others to help with money problems caused by their gambling habits.
Treatment Options for Gambling Addicts
If you suspect that someone in your life is addicted to gambling or a compulsive gambler, you should know that there is help. Here are treatment options to consider:
- “Behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are recommended for compulsive gamblers,” says Katie Hurley, LCSW. “Behavioral therapy uses systematic exposure to the behavior to teach skills to reduce the urges, while cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhealthy and irrational thoughts and replacing them with positive/adaptive ones. Family therapy is another option,” Hurley explains.
- Apps can help instill healthy habits and encourage consideration of events and emotions that lead to compulsive behaviors. Addiction AVERT app can help curb cravings. BreakFree can help people who use their smartphones to gamble spend less time on their phone.
- Adaptive coping strategies like exercise, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, and meditation are all positive options. There are even meditation apps that can help anyone who doesn’t know where to start.
Compulsive Gambling Disorder Treatment Plan
According to the American Psychiatric Association, as of 2016, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of gambling disorder. There is, however, emerging scientific research that has shown that medications can be effective in reducing the intensity of urges and cravings for gambling.
Finally, Gamblers Anonymous has been beneficial in the lives of people who have an addiction; however, they must first admit they have a problem, which is often times the most difficult thing to do. If someone is unable to find an accessible chapter of Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous addresses many of the same behaviors.
Just as anyone can become addicted to gambling, anyone can stop.