Call 800-481-6320 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor. What are the Common Treatments for Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction, also called pathological gambling, occurs when a person cannot resist the urge to gamble. In this sense, it becomes similar to a substance of abuse that causes compulsive, dangerous, and selfish actions, and in most cases, the person will not be able to stop until they receive help through professional rehabilitation treatment.
Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you learn to change your behavior.
According to the National Library of Medicine, “Treatment for people with pathological gambling begins with recognizing the problem.” This can often be one of the hardest steps, as “most people with pathological gambling only get treated when other people pressure them.” However, once the individual recognizes the need for professional help, therapy is often the best way for the individual to learn to change their behavior and create a better life for themselves.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT) is one of the most common therapy types used in addiction rehab. Addicts can learn to recognize triggers and cravings before they occur as well as more positive actions to take when they do. CBT is one of the most common options for individuals in gambling addiction rehab because it actually helps them change their behavior and learn a new way to view their addiction.
Pharmacological Therapy
Medications are not as commonly used to treat pathological gambling as they are used to treat other addiction syndromes, specifically those associated with substance abuse, but according to Minnesota Medicine, “Emerging data from controlled clinical trials… suggest that pathological gamblers frequently respond to pharmacological intervention.”
The medications that have been used most commonly to treat this disorder include SSRIs (anti-depressants), mood stabilizers, and opioid antagonists (specifically naltrexone). Many patients have been found to be particularly responsive toward opioid antagonists and SSRIs, but more research must be done in the case of all three medications. Certain individuals do seem to respond better to certain drugs, however, while some may not respond to any.
Support Groups
Another common treatment option for pathological gambling includes attending support group meetings. Groups like Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step group modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, can be extremely beneficial to many individuals. As stated by the NLM, many different “practices used to treat other types of addiction, such as substance abuse and alcohol dependence, can also be helpful in treating pathological gambling.”
Which Treatment Options are Available in Gambling Rehab?
While many complications can result from gambling addiction, the right treatment can often be extremely helpful in minimizing these issues. In a rehab center for gambling addiction, patients can often receive all three treatments that are listed above if they are suitable to the individual’s needs. Depending on the patient’s situation, they may choose to attend inpatient or outpatient treatment, and any of the options above may be utilized to create a personalized treatment plan.
Do You Want to Attend Rehab for Gambling Addiction?
If you call 800-481-6320, we can help you find a treatment center where you can receive the best care for your addiction as well as any other issues you may be struggling with. Call today, and start on your road to recovery.
So, you have decided to look into drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Doing research is a great way to make sure that you end up in a program that meets your individual needs. As you research, you may get overwhelmed by the number of different programs and options available. Some places offer group therapy, some dialectical….
Continue reading ›
Many people don’t understand the seriousness of prescription drug abuse for one very simple reason: they believe these drugs to be 100 percent safe. While it is true that these are safe to take under the eye of a medical professional, there is always the possibility of abuse and addiction. Just the same as street….
Continue reading ›
Methamphetamine abuse quickly leads to addiction, and once an individual becomes addicted to the drug, it is nearly impossible for them to stop abusing it on their own. While there are many rehab centers and treatment types that can be used to help a person recover from methamphetamine addiction, it is not an easy process…..
Continue reading ›
Alcohol abuse is a common activity that people engage in at least once in their life. Approximately 90% of the American adult population has tried alcohol at least one time. One of the biggest problems with alcohol is that people usually begin to abuse the substance in social situations, but that can easily escalate to people….
Continue reading ›
As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Involvement of a family member or significant other in an individual’s treatment program can strengthen and extend treatment benefits.” It is common for someone in a residential or inpatient rehab center to feel disconnected from their loved ones, and vice-versa, but visiting your friend, spouse, or….
Continue reading ›
While it is not 100% necessary for an individual to be “ready” for rehab in order for them to make a full recovery from alcohol addiction, the treatment process can sometimes be fast tracked just a little bit when the addict actually wants to be helped. In order to determine if you have a problem and….
Continue reading ›
The decision to attend a rehab center for treatment of drug or alcohol addiction may be the most important decision you ever make. Of course you want to assure that you make the best decision and that you choose the best rehab center for you, but how do you do that? What factors should be….
Continue reading ›
If you or a loved one are going through the struggles of drug addiction, this can be a very confusing and complicated time. It can be particularly severe if the addict is also facing a mental health issue as well, as the two together can present extra challenges and potential risks. What is Comorbidity? Comorbidity….
Continue reading ›
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, inpatient rehab facilities are one of the best ways to beat an addiction. When you enter drug treatment, it is important to understand that they have strict rules as to what you can and cannot bring. Although different rehabs allow different items, there are some basics you….
Continue reading ›
Eating Disorders and the Brain Eating disorders are extremely problematic to an individual and their family, especially when treatment is not received in time. Eating disorders normally stem from a person’s poor and distorted body image of their self. For example, people with anorexia typically believe they are overweight and need to lose weight, even….
Continue reading ›
