ABOUT GAMBLING ADDICTION
The most common definition of Gambling addiction is when gambling activity becomes compulsive, or a repetitive behavior that interferes with daily functioning and interpersonal relationships. Not unlike other addictions, gambling becomes a “drug” that is often associated with cravings, obsessive thoughts about gambling, needing to gamble more and more to achieve the desired emotion or “high”, triggered events, or emotional states. The addiction, like all addictions, is a maladaptive attempt to address insecurities, emotional difficulties, or negative internal beliefs. Studies show that 60 million Americans make some sort of wager every single day! This does not mean that all 60 million are pathological gamblers, but certainly some are.
Gambling is one of the most popular forms of entertainment for adults in the U.S. Often, individuals start with the intention of joining the “action”. However, the addiction is a slippery slope and before you know it, you are gambling beyond your means and visiting pawn shops, taking risky loans, and hiding this behavior from your loved ones. The addicted gambler is dependent on gambling. Any attempt to cut back, control, or even stop the gambling activity is difficult to impossible. The stakes become higher and higher and the family, your work and social life begins to suffer. Often gambling is linked with other addictions such as: alcoholism, drug, internet and sex addictions.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A GAMBLING ADDICTION
Dr. Sodergren (2007) in his book, Out of the Shadows describes pathological gambling as:
- A progressive disorder
- Continuous or periodic loss of control over gambling
- Difficulty obtaining enough money to keep up with the gambling
- Irrational thinking about your gambling
- A continuation of the behavior despite bad consequences
TREATING GAMBLING ADDICTION
When treating gambling, like other addictions, the individual needs to address personal, intimate core issues in individual therapy, while the social issues, dysfunctional thinking/acting, strategies to move forward are worked on in group therapy.
Often family and couple therapy is a part of the treatment course. The family is often devastated by the gamblers’ behaviors and often has put the family in financial ruin.
At Paradise Recovery, we utilize acupuncture, meditation, Eastern and Western medicine to provide additional support for the gambler to return to their lives without needing to gamble, or at least having a plan on how to stay supported in their recovery from their gambling addiction.
|
