Post about "Gambling"

Gambling Addiction Treatment – Do You Need Gambling Specific Therapy?

There are some successful ways to administer gambling addiction treatment. Not every gambler is the same, the best recovery programs are specifically tailored to his or her needs.Like with all other addictions, honesty plays a crucial role, the gambler must come to terms with their addiction first and foremost. Gambling can ruin marriages for the obvious reasons, often causing serious financial damage.It also affects one psyche and causes undue emotional strain that may affect work and family. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a challenge like most addictions, however recovery is possible with the right program and support.Gambling addiction is not a disease as drug addiction has come to be seen, so specific gambling therapy can work. Gambling addiction treatment can effectively provide steps to recovery.Cognitive-behavioral therapy can break gambling addiction by focusing on the decision behavior process of the gambler. If the unhealthy gambling behavior can be addressed at its root cause, it can eliminate the impact of the false beliefs and harmful rationalizations.The key is for the gambler to recognize the motivational emotions that compel them to gamble. Gambling specific therapy teaches them how to change their behavior rather than seek the high that gambling provides.If the gambler can better understand the emotional reasons behind why they gamble, they can develop a mental defense mechanism to resist the temptation of gambling.The goal of the gambling specific therapy is to rewire the addicted part of the brain by finding new ways to think about gambling. If thought patterns and beliefs are altered, then the gambler can reframe their thoughts and create a lasting impact.Gambling specific therapy provides the necessary support that gamblers need. It’s important that gamblers have a trusted counselor that they can open up to. Sometimes they’ve carried the guilt for far too long inside. Effective therapy lays out a series of steps for the gambling treatment to occur step-by-step.Quitting gambling is generally considered the easy part, staying in permanent recovery is the challenge. It’s important to support gamblers with people to whom they can be accountable, they must stay away from tempting situations or enablers. As with other addictions, patience is vital, gamblers need to fill the void with a more positive activity.Gamblers can pursue thrill and excitement in other endeavors. They can find hobbies or activities that they are passionate about to help replace the void. Gambling addiction treatment can enhance the quality of life.Part of the therapy entails analyzing the underlying factors that motivate the gambler. Usually there are several factors that cause compulsive gambling. The desire to make money quickly and the excitement of the game.If the gambler learns how to make better decisions, they can avoid the temptation. Whenever the gambler feels the urge to gamble, they should have several steps in place that they can execute.Firstly, they can call someone to assist them in their time of need. They can also consciously remind themselves to partake in another activity.Also to gamble, you need money, they can get rid of excessive credit cards and avoid having bundles of cash around the house. They can also block all the gambling websites on their computer. In addition, they should also inform all the gambling establishments they frequent and alert them about the recovery program.It’s possible to successfully implement gambling addiction treatment with therapy and a plan of action. Therapy can address the reasons for gambling and effectively change thoughts and habits to a sustainable recovery.

Addiction – When Gambling Becomes a Problem

While most people enjoy casino gambling, sports betting, lottery and bingo playing for the fun and excitement it provides, others may experience gambling as an addictive and distractive habit. Statistics show that while 85 percent of the adult population in the US enjoys some type of gambling every year, between 2 and 3 percent of will develop a gambling problem and 1 percent of them are diagnosed as pathological gamblers.Where can you draw the line between harmless gambling to problem gambling? How can you tell if you or your friend are compulsive gamblers? Here you can find answers to these questions and other questions regarding problem gambling and gambling addiction.What is the Meaning of Problem Gambling?Problem gambling or compulsive gambling is defined as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the destructive effect of gambling on the gamblers life and despite feelings of guilt and remorse. Problem gambling tends to have a negative effect on the gamblers financial state, relationships and daily life. Severe cases of problem gambling can be defined as pathological gambling.Am I a Compulsive Gambler?1) Do you gamble until your last penny runs out?2) Do you gamble to win back your former losses or debts?3) Did you ever had to borrow money to continue gamble?4) Did your gambling habit ever made you lie to your friends or family?5) Did you ever skip work or other obligation to gamble?6) Do you tend to gamble to forget about your personal problems or to celebrate happy occasions?7) Does gambling have a negative affect on your daily life or relationships?If you have answered yes on at least one of the questions listed above, then you have a problem.Can Anyone Become a Compulsive Gambler?Theoretically, yes. Any gambler can develop gambling problem regardless to the type of gambling he is occupied with, the amount of money and time he is spending on gambling. Researches show that slot machines that can be found in bars and convenient stores are the most addictive type of gambling activity, while lottery draws and bingo games are located on the other end of the scale. Gambling addiction is an emotional problem; its symptoms, causes and treatments are similar to any other form of addiction.How Can I treat Gambling Addiction?1) Group Therapy:Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12 step self help program similar to the one offered to alcohol addicts in Alcoholics Anonymous. Group therapy also offers gambling addicts advice and support from professional counselors and other gambling addicts in different phases of their recovery process. Gambler Anonymous centers are available in more than 1,200 locations statewide.2) Individual Therapy:Cognitive or behavior therapy can help gambling addicts to identify their unaware thinking and acting patterns, which led them to gamble compulsively, and to replace them with controllable and healthier ways of thinking.3) Psychiatric Medication:It has recently been proven that antidepressant medications from the family of SSRIs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can be affective in treatment of gambling addicts.