How Can Gambling Addiction Be Treated?

Gambling is a normal activity for some people. However, it becomes a problem when it consumes your whole life and that includes money, time and relationship. According to an article by How-To Geek, compulsive gamblers are people who can’t stop playing. They struggle for the next thrill or their next gambling high even though they know that their life is ruined or worse.

For example, a married person may never play at night because it is when he and his wife are alone and she might catch him. Some people become aware that they have a gambling problem when their house is raided or when they have been arrested. Some of the signs that you are addicted to gambling are:

-Frequent withdrawals from savings

-Buying new gambling equipment

-Gambling when you have debt or in need of a loan

-Spending more than you make

-Experiencing black-outs or withdraws when you play online

-Feeling uneasy after a trip to the casino

-Worried about other people’s money or knowing that you are keeping other people’s money

-Having angry or aggressive outbursts when you don’t win

-Having difficulty concentrating

-Fearful thoughts that you might not win your next bet

How Can Gambling Addiction Be Treated?

There is no magic cure for gambling addiction. However, you can improve your chances of recovery by identifying the main symptoms, learning to identify your triggers and practicing healthy coping skills. The best course of action is to find a treatment center that will treat your gambling addiction. Here are some ways you can treat gambling addiction:

Medication:

Tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are widely prescribed for treating compulsive gambling. These must not be used without doctors prescription.

Medications work by decreasing the level of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain, which is usually elevated in those who are addicted to gambling. The reason you lose is thought to be that the urge to gamble becomes more intense than your ability to resist the urge. According to How-To Geek, “research has shown that tricyclic antidepressants can affect the brain’s reward system.”

The addict may stop making conscious decisions or withdraw from gambling and may instead lose control over their thoughts and emotions. The withdrawal from gambling that occurs during the first few days of taking an antidepressant is called a “refeeding phase.” The effects of a drug relapse is generally short-lived and resolve within three weeks if not sooner.

Psychotherapy:

When a person can understand how his gambling problem started and the reasons behind it, the therapy will be easier to carry out. It is important that he understands how and why he can gamble so much. It is also important to understand that the gambling problem has nothing to do with a need for money. Often, the person who is suffering from gambling addiction is driven by emotional needs that are being neglected.

Psychotherapy is also very useful in dealing with the adverse effects of the medications. For example, psychotherapy can help a person learn to set and control his or her emotions. Most insurance companies provide coverage for therapy. This is the only way that the individual can see that he or she is not losing control over their lives.

Family therapy:

If you want to recover from gambling addiction, it will be easier to do so if you have the support of your family. In many cases, a spouse or family members will be able to help the person to quit gambling. A family intervention is a common and proven method of treatment. Families are often the first people that people turn to in order to find help. You can discuss with your spouse, other family members, teachers and other social workers about your problem.

“Talking about your problem with others will help you understand yourself and get your psychological problems under control. However, when you and your partner go to a gambling counselor, you are focusing all your attention on your partner. Family members can help you deal with the problem and deal with other problems that you might have, such as bullying, depression or any other problem that you can relate to,” says Bobby Avila, licensed psychologist and Ph.D. student in the Department of Psychology at La Trobe University.

Group therapy:

Gambling addiction is not something that only affects the addict alone. Many people suffer from addiction to other forms of addictive substances. They may exhibit addictive behaviors towards things such as food, gambling or sex. This kind of addiction is very prevalent and found to be very difficult to get over.

Group therapy is an effective way to help those who suffer from addiction to help them to deal with these problems. This type of therapy is more effective than therapy. But the problem with group therapy is that you will get some that have addiction problems, too. The way to deal with this is to remember that the other people in the group have the same problems you do and, therefore, can understand you. Group therapy works better than individual therapy.

Online or counseling:

Online addiction counseling can be a very effective way to help people overcome their compulsive addiction. Many people seek treatment for addictions that they are unable to deal with at the point-of-care. The counselors help them to overcome the issues at the source.

The web and online resources are currently revolutionizing addiction therapy. These innovative services are specifically tailored to meet the needs of individuals who are seeking help for addiction. Most people who are addicted to gambling or pornography choose to seek help through online tools.

The web and online resources can assist individuals who are trying to address the compulsion to spend large amounts of time playing computer games or visiting online casinos. These resources offer cognitive behavioral therapy that helps people overcome compulsive behavior associated with compulsive gambling or Internet-related addiction.

Brain scans have shown that online gambling and Internet addiction may share some brain abnormalities. The cognitive dissonance that is associated with compulsive gambling can be reduced by specific interventions and therapies, including skills training, therapy, and dialectical behavior therapy.

“Many people do not know that a brain scan can be used to diagnose addictive behavior. Some people try to quit gambling, but their urge to continue remains even when they have quit playing their favorite games. This is a sign that they are still addicted and need to seek help from a counselor,” says Bobby Avila.

Substitution therapy:

Substitution therapy uses the concepts of modifying the use of one substance for another. For example, to treat alcoholism, someone may replace alcohol with coffee. While using the coffee substitute, they are instructed to not consume any alcohol. Substitution therapy is an effective form of addiction therapy. However, the effects are not permanent and the behaviors could return after a period of time.

“The most effective approach is to use a treatment modality that teaches users how to make informed decisions while engaging in compulsive or addictive behavior. After making a difficult decision, users are provided with additional information and assistance to guide their decision. The most effective form of treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This treatment, which is supported by evidence, can be used to treat the conditions of compulsive or addictive behavior and addiction,” adds Bobby Avila.

It is crucial to educate yourself about addiction treatment so that you can choose the best treatment for yourself and ensure you get the most out of the process. But how can you identify addiction? To find out, explore the following factors.

Physical:

Does the person with addiction have red, dry skin? Do their fingernails and toes look abnormal? Do they have bruises, cuts, or abrasions? A person with addiction may have issues with their health or mental health. This is often a clue that the person is depressed. People with addictions often do not have good self-esteem. They also have issues with their memory and concentration, which can be signs of mental illness.

A person with addiction may also have physical issues. They may have broken bones. They may have a kidney or liver problem. They may have lumps or bumps in their neck or ears. A person with an addiction may also have heart problems and swelling in their legs.

Changes in sleep patterns:

A person with addictions may be too tired to go to work. They may also lose interest in leisure activities, including sports or entertainment.

• Behavioral:
• Are you aware of physical signs of an addiction? Do you observe changes in the person’s behavior? For example, are you seeing a change in mood or personality? Are you feeling that the person is nervous or out of sorts? Are you noticing that they need to sleep or skip meals?
• Are they acting strange when not using their substance? For example, they are irritable or anxious, or they are withdrawn or mopey.
• Are they having more or less energy than usual? Are they tired all the time? Do they complain of stomach pains or headaches?
• Are they using money or having problems managing money? Do they need to do lots of chores or errands to earn money?
• Are they eating more or fewer meals than usual? Are they taking more or less time to go to the bathroom?
• Are they underweight or overweight?
• Are they having seizures?
• Are they buying lots of clothes or looking for clothes?
• Are they using signs, symbols, or signals to hide their substance use? For example, are they not using purses or wallets to hide their money?
• Are they hiding their substances in odd places or places where you would not expect them to use substances? For example, are they carrying a lot of “brown paper bags,” such as shopping bags or plastic grocery bags?
• Are they wearing “little white masks,” such as surgical masks, in public?
• Are they changing their appearance by cutting their hair or shaving their heads?
• Do they seem nervous, tense, or panicked?
• Are they living in a different place than what they used to live in?
• Are they giving their ATM and credit card numbers to strangers?
• Are they buying larger amounts of property, car titles, or possessions to avoid detection?
• Are they buying expensive clothing or jewelry?
• Are they sending flowers to family members?
• Do they complain of having hangovers after using?

Signs of addiction may not be noticeable at first glance. Is this an isolated behavior? The signs above are behavioral. Other behaviors may be going on at the same time, but it is not unusual for people to feel different emotions at the same time. For example, one day they may feel good about themselves. Another day, they may feel sad or angry. Here are some other things to ask yourself or observe about an addict.

• Are they dating a person who does not have a substance use problem? Is the person they are dating or married to an addict?
• Does the person they are dating or married to have a substance use problem?
• Is the substance they are using habit forming or have a specific medical use? For example, they may use it to treat a medical problem, but that does not mean it is habit forming.
• Are they using more substances at once? Can you talk to them about how they are using their substances? For example, if they are using several substances, and one of them is habit forming, they may need to be in counseling.
• Are they willing to admit that they have a substance use problem? Are they willing to seek counseling or addiction treatment?
• Is the person they are dating or married to using any of the substances on the list above? For example, they may be using all of the above.

These are just some of the signs that your loved one may have a substance use disorder. Be aware that there are so many ways to have a substance use problem, including using “street” drugs. It is impossible to know for sure whether your loved one’s behavior is an addiction, a bad habit, a medical problem, a bad memory, or some other disease or disorder.

What Does the FDA Say about the Use of Online Counseling in Addictive Behaviors?

For all those who are searching for a reliable treatment center for addiction, you can consult with FDA in referring you to a good center. All your questions, concerns, and information will be handled in an honest and professional manner. The FDA is constantly in touch with relevant authorities of the country, both at state and federal levels. They regularly update and share information with their professional network on the latest scientific research, policies, and clinical trials.

FDA maintains an active communication network with various experts and practitioners who have received their training and specialized knowledge through FDA sponsored education and continuing professional education programs. They also support several key programs and initiatives through FDA funded grants and programs, including those for various forms of addiction prevention, treatment, and harm reduction, in addition to those relating to substance abuse disorders.

It was the first Agency to ever establish a Scientific Advisory Committee to the United States Food and Drug Administration, specifically to serve as a resource to the public in order to provide a forum for evaluating the benefits and risks of new health and nutrition products.