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 888-646-0635Who Answers?, 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.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), there are approximately 20 million people currently suffering from behavioral or addictive disorders. Of these people, less than 10 percent are actively being treated through a program. Roughly 40 percent of these people are unable to receive treatment because of the high cost involved…..
Deciding to be treated for alcohol abuse is a large step which many people are too scared to make. They fear the expenses, the withdrawal symptoms, and are often misinformed or misguided about current treatment options available to them. At one time, recovering from alcohol abuse was an unpleasant and costly matter as there were….
It is an unfortunate fact that a large number of pregnant women abuse drugs or alcohol during their pregnancy. Although there are different reasons for this the outcome is generally the same. That is why there are rehab centers that cater specifically to pregnant women and their offspring. Why Drug Abuse and Pregnancy Drug abuse….
For someone battling an alcohol abuse problem, the decision to enter alcohol rehab doesn’t come easily. Alcohol’s effects on the brain warp a person’s logic and reasoning abilities, so troubling circumstances or the negative consequences from drinking have likely brought about a change of heart in a big way. With the holidays well under way,….
Opiates such as heroin and certain prescription medication such as OxyContin and Roxies can be deadly when an individual becomes addicted to them. The euphoric effects of opiates are what initially cause individuals to begin using the drugs but in a short time, the individual can become highly addicted both physically and psychologically to these….
Hydrocodone, a prescription opioid drug, offers fast and effective relief for conditions involving moderate to severe pain symptoms. Unfortunately, these pain-relieving properties come with certain “pleasant” side effects that can promote abuse and eventual addiction. Anyone struggling with hydrocodone addiction well knows how this drug can overpower any intentions one may have to stop using….
Free inpatient drug rehab centers do exist. As they are necessary to many people who do not have the money to enter expensive rehab centers, free inpatient centers are an important resource for recovery. Why Choose Inpatient Drug Rehab? Inpatient drug rehab is often essential for many patients’ recoveries. While outpatient centers provide most of the same….
Alcoholism is an addiction that can affect anyone from your family and friends to your co-workers and clergy. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, an estimated 17 million Americans suffer from either alcoholism or harmful drinking habits. Many alcoholics and alcohol abusers don’t get help, some try to do it alone, and….
Thousands of people suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol and need help to stop using. Many of these same people have health insurance but are still unable to afford the cost of drug rehab or are unsure of what they have to do to get their insurance plan to cover the costs of drug….
One of the scariest parts of rehab is the idea that you have to go through it all alone and your family can also feel isolated by the idea of a rehab program, especially an inpatient one. It’s hard for people to know what role they are supposed to play when they don’t know very….
Calls to numbers on a specific treatment center listing will be routed to that treatment center. Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser.
By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.