0800 470 0382Gambling might seem like a fun activity during the first stages, but when it no longer becomes fun and affects your daily life, relationships and finances, it’s time to address the issue. According to the UK government, 3.8% of the population is at elevated risk of becoming problem gamblers. If you’re chasing losses, it’s time to get professional help and change your life forever.
What Causes a Gambling Addiction?
A gambling addiction usually begins when a person is in a financial crisis and is looking for ways to support it. Like an alcohol addiction, everyone’s case is different so there’s not just one reason to compulsive gambling. However, gambling is a disorder which can break up families and leave people in severe financial difficulties.
Some scientists suggest that high levels of dopamine in the brain can lead to impulsive disorders – such as gambling. For others, gambling can be an outlet where they feel successful when they win, and get a feeling of self-accomplishment. Research also suggests that people who’ve experienced a loss – whether that’s a death, break-up or being made redundant – can increase their chances of a gambling addiction. But, with the increase of Internet gambling and casinos around the world, many of us have easy access to gambling which can set can trap us.
Gambling addictions can also be caught up with other addictions, such as drinking. It can be part of your routine to go to watch a team play football and also have a bet on the result whilst having a few drinks. This can spiral over a period of time where drinking and gambling become part of your daily routine.
What are the Signs of Addiction to Gambling?
There are many signs you may have a problem with gambling, but some people are so secretive that they can cunningly hide it from others. This addiction is just as serious as a drug or alcohol addiction.
Here are some popular signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction:
- Continuing to gamble, even when you don’t have the money to support it
- Troubles with quitting when you’re winning/losing
- A strong desire to keep your habit secretive
- An inability to control when you stop gambling
- A constant desire to gamble
- Arguing with family/friends about the amount of time and money spent gambling
- Borrowing money, selling belongings or missing bill payments to pay for gambling
- Difficulties concentrating on anything without thinking about gambling
- Focusing your attention on gambling rather than your family, health and career
There are many other emotional symptoms linked to gambling, which can affect your daily life. These feelings are often associated when experiencing losses during gambling, or perhaps you’ve used large amounts of money you can’t afford to lose. Here are some common emotional symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Suicidal thoughts
- Helpless
A compulsive gambler may even experience physical symptoms, such as:
- Insomnia, often due to worrying about losing money
- Weight gain/loss, which is usually associated with stress
The First Steps of a Gambling Addiction Treatment
Checking into Rehab Clinics Group is a successful first step in beating your addiction. You’ll meet with our qualified staff who will undergo a physical and psychological evaluation to assess the level of your gambling addiction. Everyone is unique, so it’s essential that we have a clear indication of your addiction.
We’ll create a Recovery Plan to help you address the psychological, emotional and social aspects of your life. This plan cohesively works alongside the support groups to address all areas of your addiction. You’ll be allocated a worker who will dedicate their time to supporting you throughout any difficulties at the clinic. We appreciate that this is a daunting part in your road to recovery, so we have many treatment options to offer you.
The Treatment Methods to Stop Gambling
Similar to a drug addiction, treating a gambling problem requires support from trained staff. At Rehab Clinics Group, we have an addiction treatment programme for everyone. There are many methods and processes to treat gambling behaviours, which are all unique to each person. Our Therapeutic Rehabilitation Programme gets to the core of an addiction, including the psychological and physical effects the addiction has over someone. We provide Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to address your concerns and establish how and when your addiction started. This is the most effective approach to battling any addiction. CBT helps you to focus on your gambling behaviour and come face to face with your addiction. These therapy sessions provide you with tools to re-build strong relationships with your friends and family, and recoup your financial losses.
The good news is that a compulsive gambler won’t suffer the same withdrawal effects a drug-user does. Although it isn’t necessary to undergo a detox programme, surrounding yourself with caring and expert staff is enough in itself to get you started to a healthier and happier you.
Our trained staff will teach you strategies to manage your urges to online gambling, so that you have healthy alternatives when a gambling craving begins. We’ll teach you methods to walk away from gambling when your finances become at risk. Our rehab centres help you find activities which distract your mind with happier and healthier alternatives.
Our group therapy sessions are an excellent approach to surrounding yourself with like-minded people and realising that you’re not alone. Simply addressing your addiction is a healthy place to start and a positive way to resist cravings. At Rehab Clinics Group, you’ll never feel alone, and if you have difficult moments, we encourage you to reach out to your support worker.
The first part of beating your addiction is addressing that you need help. This doesn’t make you weak, but instead you’ll become stronger living an addiction-free life. When you’re ready to leave our clinic, we’re just a phone-call away should you require any further support to prevent relapsing. Give us a call on 03301 596 494 or text HELP 83222 to discuss availability and treatment options.
