Gambling Addiction Therapy: How to Access Services

Understanding Gambling Addiction

A gambling addiction has been described as being stuck in a place where the next bet is always the most important priority. According to the DSM-5, gambling addiction is categorised as a behavioural disorder.

Symptoms include being preoccupied with gambling, needing to bet more to get the same thrill, trying unsuccessfully to cut back, and lying about gambling habits. Identifying these signs sets the initial stage for a healthy recovery.

Types of Gambling Addiction Therapy

Several effective treatments are available for gambling addiction. Here are the most common ones:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provides insight into the underlying motivations behind gambling habits Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps you spot harmful thought patterns and replace them with healthy responses. Being able to experience a life where the thrill of the bet no longer owns you, where you’re in charge of your financial decisions and daily habits, and where the emotional fallout of loss time and effort in therapy.

Motivational Interviewing

Gamble-free living begins with a single, liberating step: facing your inner energies and personal ambitions head-on, with Motivational Interviewing guiding the way to meaningful change. With MI, you’ll develop the self-assurance in your decision to quit gambling, and be determined in your decisions. This is bolstered by a steady stream of motivation, where every step is towards empowerment, where every mistake becomes a lesson, and permanent growth becomes possible.

Group therapy: A space where unity breeds change.

In group therapy, find a space where people can speak freely about their fears, hopes and triumphs. You’ll find a supportive crew that gets where you’re coming from and connecting with others who’ve been in your shoes. When group members open up about their journeys and insights, a palpable sense of camaraderie forms, lifting spirits and driving motivation. Connection is key; partnering with others forms a support system that can address loneliness and become a place where everyone is promoting each other’s success.

Family Therapy

Addiction to gambling has an effect on you and your family. Family therapy gets everyone rowing in the same direction, so you can pool your collective strengths to tackle challenges and achieve long-term success. It roots out the problems in your family that feed into the addiction, then encourages the people around you who want to help. Gamblers are not the only ones hurt by their addiction – family members suffer too. But with the right approach, they can heal and move forward together.

Eligibility for Gambling Addiction Therapy

Before proceeding with therapy, it’s important to determine if you meet certain criteria. This includes the addiction’s severity, any accompanying mental health issues, and personal preferences for therapy.

Seeking Professional Evaluation

The first step is a professional evaluation from your GP, a psychiatrist, or a psychologist who works with addictions. Getting honest about your gambling habits can be tough, but it’s the first step in spotting emotional loopholes and psychological tripwires that need attention.

Developing a Treatment Plan

Based on the evaluation, you’ll receive a personalised treatment plan which will include

– the type of therapy

– number of sessions

– any additional support

Working hand-in-hand with a professional is the first step towards recovery; together, you’ll chart a course that yields results-driven outcomes.

Referral and Support Services

Your GP or therapist can help if you need access to additional services.. If you’re facing a tough situation, remember that help is just a call – or click – away.

Accessing Gambling Addiction Therapy

Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing therapy:

Step 1: Professional Evaluation

An evaluation of your biopsychosocial and gambling history will be performed by your GP, psychiatrist, or psychologist

Step 2: Developing a Treatment Plan

After the evaluation, you’ll get a treatment plan. Your therapy plan may consist of: exploring the the best approach moving forward, scheduling regular sessions, and providing any additional help you might need to stay on track. Whether you’re rebuilding or restarting, the plan is tailored to your unique circumstances and your desired goals.

Step 3: Referral to Specialised Services

If specialised medical services are needed, your healthcare provider may refer you to a treatment center or specialist. You’ve got a referral – what’s next? Schedule a time to talk to the provider we’ve recommended and get the expert advice you need to make progress.

Step 4: Participating in Therapy

Once referred, start your therapy sessions. You might find yourself wondering what makes you gamble the way you do – and that’s okay. When you work with a psychologist, they’ll help you unearth the deep-seated fears, anxieties, or Low self-esteem that might be driving your addictions, and develop a plan to overcome them. This may involve highlighting your vulnerabilities, devising clear-headed strategies for coping, and on occasion rewarding yourself for every hard-won victory. To attain exceptional results a full commitment to therapy is required.

Step 5: Utilising Support Services

If need be utilise any additional support services. These may include helplines, carefully selected online forums, and community groups which are mandated to offer a safety net of support and guidance. To truly thrive, you need people in your corner who get what you’re going through – it’s a major booster for your mental health.

Limitations and Considerations

While therapy can be highly effective, there are limitations and considerations:

Duration of Treatment

Depending on the extent of your addiction and the general progress, the duration of your therapy may differ.

Progress is therapy is an individual journey. Some need a brief stint and others need more long term therapy.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Therapy may involve out-of-pocket costs, especially if not covered by insurance. Before you commit, discuss the cost with your provider and find out what financial aid options are on the table. Some treatment facilities and therapists charge based on the patient’s income and is referred to as a sliding scale.

Comorbid Conditions

Many with gambling addiction have comorbidities such as depression or anxiety. Combating addiction requires that we acknowledge other underlying issues and treat them concurrently. Inform your therapist of any co-occurring conditions so they can be addressed in your treatment plan.

Relapse Prevention

Relapse is common in recovery. Craft a plan with your therapist to avoid falling back into old habits. You can prevent the cycle of relapse by identifying your personal triggers. When faced with a situation where you are triggered to relapse, talk to someone or take a break where possible. Lasting recovery depends on your awareness of these triggers, guidance from professionals and encouragement from family and friends.

Alternative Options for Support

If traditional therapy is not suitable or accessible, there are alternatives:

Online Counselling

Online counselling platforms like Chat Corner Psychologists offer convenient therapy services online and in person. These platforms allows you to connect with a psychologist from home. If work or school timings, being in remote areas where distance is an issue and makes in-person meetings is tough, online services are a solution.

Community Support Groups

Community support groups like Gamblers Anonymous provide a supportive environment which allow you to open up and let others do the same within a confidential environment. Often valuable advice may come your way to give you that motivation boost. It may encourage you to meet regularly and a be a proactive way to stay on track and accountable.

Helplines and Hotlines

Helplines and hotlines offer immediate support and guidance. Find local allies who can lend a helping hand, people and organizations in your community who genuinely care. Staffed may or may not be trained professionals and they may have an understand of the challenges of gambling addiction.

Financial Counselling

Gambling addiction often leads to financial difficulties.

Reaching out to a financial counsellor who can offer you guidance and honest feedback to clarify your financial situation may alleviate your financial stresses.

Final thoughts

Kicking off your therapy journey involves three main steps:

• finding a qualified psychologist to guide you
• developing a strategy tailored to your needs
• sticking to your session schedule.

Whether you need online counselling, helplines, or self-help resources, you don’t have to face recovery alone – help is just a click or call away. If someone you care about is experiencing problematic gambling, it’s important to get them help regardless of how early on or far into their gambling habits ahve become set.

We considering the intricacies of a client’s past and present to create a treatment approach that truly resonates. Imagine being in the driver’s seat again – the evidence-based methods we use make it possible to empower individuals to recreate their lives on their own terms.

Stuck in a cycle of gambling addiction?

Has addiction towards gambling got you or a friend trapped?

Connect with one of our qualified psychologists or your GP.