Last updated: 11/14/2018
Author: Addictions.com Medical Review

Gambling addiction programs provide a network of support services that aid the individual throughout the phases of rehab and aftercare. Seeking Help for Gambling Addiction Intervening on behalf of a loved one with a compulsive gambling problem could be the first step in preventing the negative consequences of gambling addiction. Addiction treatment is a highly individualized process, and not all rehab centers are capable of treating behavioral disorders. Therefore, people struggling with compulsive gambling behaviors should expect to research several treatment facilities before finding the one that’s right for them.

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Gambling is often referred to as the “silent addiction” or the “silent killer” because the addiction often goes unnoticed for many years causing great financial and emotional harm before anyone realizes that it’s even a problem. Every gambler has unique needs when it comes to recovery from gambling addiction which is why gambling addiction treatment provides so many different means and methods of care to assist those who are suffering with the tremendous burden of gambling addiction on their shoulders.

It takes great strength and courage to seek help for gambling addiction and treatment may not be a walk in the park but it is effective and there is hope!

Recognizing the Need for Gambling Addiction Treatment

Gambling does not have to control your life. Treatment can help!

You may wonder if there’s really a need for treatment of whether or not your loved one’s gambling problem is really that bad. The fact is, determining whether a gambling problem really is a problem or not can be difficult, especially considering the fact that many gamblers will cover up the actual amount of money that they spend, hide the level of gambling that they really take part in and otherwise mask the problem or downplay the situation. The signs of gambling addiction are not always as easy to spot as we may wish. Here are a few ways that you can tell if there is a need for gambling addiction treatment, as noted by the US National Library of Medicine:

• Individual is defensive about his or her gambling activities
• Individual runs out of money or is secretive about money
• Borrowing to gamble
• Taking drastic measures in order to fund gambling
• Depression or altered mood when not gambling
• Increased happiness when gambling
• Suicidal thoughts

Self-proclaimed Abstinence from Gambling

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One of the best methods of overcoming gambling addiction, and also the first to fail without treatment, is to self-proclaim your own abstinence from gambling. What this means is that the gambler will actually make the promise to him or herself not to gamble and will exclude him or herself from any activities that involve gambling. This is a necessity when it comes to overcoming gambling addiction but without proper treatment, this method of recovery often tends to fail. Here’s why:

• The gambler will begin to have cravings or urges to gamble and will often resort to gambling to control these feelings.
• The gambling will then lead to feelings of depression because the individual feels as if he or she has been defeated as a result of relapsing against their own promise to themselves not to gamble.
• These feelings, of depression and defeat, will usually lead to increased gambling and the ball just continues to roll downhill from there.

How Treatment Centers Can Help

People who are addicted to gambling have various reasons for their addiction. They may want to feel an adrenaline rush, be social with others who are gambling in a casino or similar environment, numb feelings or emotions, or solve money problems. Each person’s interest and reasons for gambling are typically based on their own individual lifestyle and unique desires. Some people gamble just because they are bored and others gamble to relax.

Gambling addiction treatment centers can help by providing the addict with insight into the reasons why they gamble. Once the individual understands what it is that triggers his or her gambling, they can begin to learn ways of changing their thoughts and behaviors in order to refrain from gambling. Many of the reasons for gambling such as social reasons or to overcome boredom can still be overcome through substitution behaviors such as exercise, talking with a friend, joining a social group or taking part in a hobby.

Treatment can help the addict to learn how to deal with gambling cravings in a healthy manner that continues to promote his or her abstinence. Instead of just making a promise to stay away from gambling all together, the individual will actually learn through counseling and therapy how to recognize the triggers that cause gambling, how to avoid those triggers and how to take part in other substitution behaviors that will fulfill their desire or perceived need to gamble.

Types of Gambling Addiction Treatment

Various methods of treatment for gambling addiction are found in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Most of the time, gambling addiction treatment will consist of some method of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This method of treating problem gambling focuses on helping the addict to change unhealthy thought processes and behaviors into rational, healthy thought processes and behaviors. Gamblers learn how to effectively fight the urge to gamble, how to deal with the triggers that cause them to gamble and how to solve problems that have been caused by their addiction.

The following types of treatment are common for those who suffer from gambling addiction:

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• Counseling
• Medication for depression or anxiety or other mental health problems
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Behavioral therapy

Gamblers Anonymous is a world renowned support group that helps those who suffer from gambling addiction to stay on a direct path of continued abstinence from gambling through peer support. The groups use 12-step recovery methods similar to those which are outlined by Alcoholics Anonymous for the treatment of alcohol addiction. The gambler will have a sponsor who will help him or her by providing guidance and support along their journey to recovery from gambling addiction.

If you have a problem with gambling addiction, then it’s not just your finances that get hurt in the process. Relationships can break down, leading to feelings of isolation, guilt and anxiety. Many gamblers hope to win but expect to lose when they place their bets, and this is also true of their approach to life too. We can help you get off your losing streak. As soon as you begin your recovery, you start winning in life once more. Take your first step towards gambling addiction recovery with Step 1 Recovery.

The actual cause of your gambling addiction cannot be properly determined without sitting down and talking to someone. Compulsive gambling can be contributed to many issues such as stress which can be triggered by events such as uncertainty over your job or marital problems. Other possible reasons could be coping with a recent bereavement or the struggle to deal with other addictions such as drugs or alcohol.

Gambling addiction gets serious when you are betting using ridiculous amounts of money which can lead to severe financial problems, this can then contribute to mental health issues which in a lot of cases can lead people feeling suicidal.

If you are going through any of these problems, we strongly urge you to seek help and get in touch with our team as soon as possible.