People who have a gambling addiction may experience financial problems as well as emotional and mental health issues. They may be unable to control their spending or find healthy ways to deal with stress. They may also be at risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts. The good news is that there are treatment options available for those who suffer from a gambling disorder.
In a treatment program, you’ll learn more about yourself and why you have succumbed to your gambling habits. You’ll gain a sense of community in support groups that offer advice and feedback to help you abstain from gambling www.tigawin33.net/sg/zh-cn/product/sports/ctbt. You can even find out whether you have a co-occurring condition that can impact your ability to overcome your addiction, such as depression or bipolar disorder.
Gambling addiction treatment programs can last from weeks to months and are often based on 12-step recovery models, similar to those used in substance abuse rehab. They might include an emphasis on meetings of Gamblers Anonymous, peer counseling from recovering gamblers and education about addictive behaviors. Some researchers have found that recovery rates from gambling treatment are lower than those for other addictions, such as alcohol and drug addiction (Lesieur, 1998).
As with all types of addiction, the most important step in getting help is seeking out a treatment center. You can choose from both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Inpatient programs allow you to live at the treatment facility, but outpatient programs offer more flexible scheduling so you can continue working or attending school while receiving treatment.
A therapist can teach you coping skills to help you manage your urges and cravings for gambling. The therapist can also identify any underlying mental health problems that may contribute to your gambling disorder, such as depression or anxiety. In addition, the therapist can recommend lifestyle changes to help you cope with your gambling addiction, such as finding healthier ways to deal with stress or developing new hobbies that take the place of gambling.
Behavioral therapy for compulsive gambling may help reduce the urge to gamble by systematically exposing you to it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is another type of treatment that teaches you to recognize unhealthy, irrational and negative beliefs about gambling tigawin33 and helps you replace them with more positive ones. Medications that are often used to treat mental illness, such as mood stabilizers and antidepressants, may also be useful in treating compulsive gambling (Blaszczynski and Silove, 1995).
It is possible to overcome a gambling addiction. But you must seek help and work hard to make it happen. Identifying the underlying causes of your gambling disorder will help you get back on track and stay there. For more information on gambling addiction treatment, visit a website such as OASAS or a local treatment provider certified by the organization. You can also use a site such as Recovery Centers Online to search for OASAS-certified providers and programs near you. You can also contact a recovery hotline to speak with a specialist who can help you locate a gambling treatment program in your area.