Gambling addiction is an increasing problem in the US. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, one percent of the population, or 2.5 million people have met the criteria of a severe gambling addiction.
In line with this, a portion of the population with gambling concerns is seeking help from someone in a treatment facility. Here’s what they should expect.
What is Gambling Addiction?
Games and gambling are part of our culture. 85 percent of the US population have admitted to gambling at least once in their lives. However, as we’ve said earlier, one percent of them meet the criteria of severe gambling concern.
Gambling is considered to be problematic if the person starts to bet more and more money. That’s a good sign that a gambling addiction is developing.
Gambling addiction is common for people who are sensation seekers. The highs of excitement and arousal are what they’re chasing after. Just like any other substance-related addiction, their brains acclimatize to the highs, which makes them seek more of it as time goes on. Also, withdrawal symptoms are present.
Types of Gambling
Gambling can either be episodic or persistent. Episodic gambling occurs when a person gambles from time to time in several months. While there is an on-and-off occurrence of gambling, the destructive symptoms are still present.
Persistent gambling, on the other hand, is when a person continuously gambles for years.
How Rehab for Gambling Disorder Works
When a person’s gambling gets out of hand, getting into rehabilitation is one of the most effective ways of dealing with and outright eliminating the behavior.
A person can stay in a facility for around 21 days. During this time, a series of clinical interventions, support groups, and medication will be administered to help the person with their recovery process.
Once that’s done, an aftercare will be conducted to ensure the individual’s well-being.
Gambling Addiction Treatment Options
The main problem faced by mental health professionals is that most people with gambling concerns deny that they have an addiction to it. That makes it hard to start an intervention because the session requires their participation.
Residential Treatment
Residential treatment centers or rehab is an excellent method of treating gambling disorders. Although this approach is used as a last resort, there has been a significant change in people who are recovering from gambling disorders.
Despite its effectiveness, around half of the inpatients drop out. That’s why it’s important to help people understand the efficacy of this treatment.
Clinical Interventions
Professionals have tried multiple approaches to help people with gambling problems. The most promising one is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Aside from that, other methods are effective, such as relapse prevention techniques and psychodynamic therapy.
Those approaches don’t interfere with each other, so professionals tend to use them together.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
This approach is aimed at resolving the maladaptive beliefs and thought processes that lead to gambling behavior.
Relapse prevention techniques
This approach aims to stop people with gambling problems from going back to gambling.
Psychodynamic therapy
This approach dives deeper into the unconscious mental process that contributes to gambling behaviors.
Medications
Considering that the gambling problem is not substance-related, some people hesitate to take the medication. Don’t worry because the recovering person has the option not to take medication and only do the clinical intervention we outline above.
With that said, the specific medication administered to someone who has a gambling problem highly depends on their co-occurring mental health concern.
For example, Lithium is proven to be an effective intervention for those who are in the bipolar spectrum.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRI) are also suitable for those who have mood and anxiety disorders – excluding those who are in the bipolar spectrum.
Also, people with Parkinson’s disease tend to have compulsive behavior problems, and gambling addiction can be just one of them. In that case, the clinician will more likely address Parkinson’s disease itself.
Lastly, Naltrexone is administered especially to someone who also has problems with their alcohol and substance abuse.
Support Groups
A popular support group for gambling problems is Gamblers Anonymous. In this group, people are encouraged to admit that they don’t have power over their behaviors. Instead, they are taught to believe and surrender to a higher power that will give them strength.
Higher power is meant to accommodate people with different faiths and even non-believers. Everyone is invited to do the serenity prayer:
‘God, grant me to accept the things I cannot change
Courage to change the things that I can
And wisdom to know the difference.’
It’s reported that this section of the treatment plan is proven to have the most effect on people.
After that, past mistakes are examined with the help of an experienced group member. Once that part is clarified, the recovering person is encouraged to make amends to people they have wronged.
Lastly, they are encouraged to live a new life and help those people who are currently struggling with addiction.
Signs and Symptoms of Compulsive Gambling
A promising sign that a gambling disorder starts to develop is when a person gambles and loses more and more money.
Besides that, here are other signs and symptoms of compulsive gambling:
- Restless and irritable when attempting to stop
- Has made repeated yet unsuccessful attempts to stop
- Preoccupied with gambling
- Often gambles when distressed
- Chasing losses
- Lies to hide gambling problems
- Jeopardized significant relationships
- Relies on others to provide money
Common thought processes found in people with gambling problems include distortion in thinking. Aside from their inability to admit that they have an addiction, they also tend to have superstitious beliefs that make them believe that they have power over the outcome of the game.
They are often impulsive, competitive, energetic, restless, and quickly bored.
Another interesting characteristic is that they tend to seek other people’s approval. If they happen to win big, they can become extra generous towards their friends.
However, the downside is that because gambling addiction is destructive, they manifest signs of depression and loneliness. Half of the people in treatment for gambling addiction have considered suicide, and 17 percent of them have attempted it.
Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of gambling addiction can start individually, through their family, and in society at large.
For individual risk factors, most people who end up with gambling problems tend to be sensation seekers and easily bored. That’s why they find the highs and lows of gambling exciting and arousing.
Moreover, gambling as a way to escape negative emotions is also common. Depression, anxiety, and stress can exacerbate gambling behaviors.
The family of the person can play a significant role as well. It’s reported that those who have parents who gamble are also more likely to do it themselves.
At a sociological level, it’s found that people who have gambling addiction tend to be unemployed and have lower educational attainment.
Effects of Gambling Addiction
The destructive effects of gambling affect a person’s professional, financial, and personal relationships.
Preoccupation with gambling can steal a person’s focus on their job, making it more difficult for them to function as productive members of the company. It’s also common for entrepreneurs to gamble their profits instead of reinvesting them in their business.
People with gambling problems also tend to lie and steal from their loved ones to sustain their gambling. They also tend to neglect the financial needs of their family.
We Help Those Who Have Problem Gambling
Uncontrollable gambling behaviors can knock down a person’s career, finances, and relationships. However, this is not the end. Effective treatment can not only stop the behaviors, but regain a person’s career, money, and lost connection with loved ones.
We at Luxe Recovery are ready to help. Contact us to find out more about our treatment options and get the help you need to overcome gambling addiction.
