Gambling addiction, known as a gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, can be a serious mental health condition experienced by various individuals globally. It is caused by a lack of control over gambling behaviors, whereby the player continues to play regardless of financial difficulties or social consequences and often also leads to mental health problems such as anxiety or depression. However, a responsible Genome10k can play a crucial role in addressing these issues by implementing measures to promote safe gambling practices. With the rise of online casinos, sports betting, etc., not only is access to gambling easier than ever, solving gambling addiction is as important as ever.
Atlantic Behavioral Health is a leader in providing specialized care for people with mental health and addiction disorders, while TAPinto Madison is an online newspaper serving the Madison area. By combining evidence-based therapies, personalized care and community support, Atlantic Behavioral Health is leading the fight against disordered gambling by helping individuals reclaim their lives.
In this article, we take a closer look at Atlantic Behavioral Health gambling treatment programs and what you should do to receive the support needed for your loved ones suffering from gambling addiction.
Comprehensive Guide: Understanding Severe Gambling Addiction
But before we explain the treatment theory of Atlantic Behavioral Health on gambling addiction, it is vital to have some knowledge about what makes gambling an addictive behavior in a problem. Like substance abuse disorders, problem gambling is often referred to as a hidden addiction because the physical signs of compulsive or pathological gambling are seldom visible. But the awful thing is… how much it can cost you — emotionally and financially.
Signs of Gambling Addiction
The common symptoms of a gambling addiction include:
A single-minded obsession with gambling: thinking of or plotting future bets, reminiscing on past wins or losses, planning the next venture.
Unable to Stop: While he or she may have a desire to stop gambling, the person is unable to control their behavior.
Pursuing Losses: The attempt to recoup past losses by continuing to gamble.
Money issues – spending more money on gambling than intended, borrowing money to gamble, or otherwise falling delinquent on bills and financial responsibilities.
Avoiding Responsibilities: Not going to work, missing family events or other social responsibilities just so you can gamble.
How Atlantic Behavioral Health Tackles Gambling Addiction
When you’re in treatment for problem gambling, a one-size-fits-all approach won’t do.
Their programs target the psychological and emotional nature of gambling addiction as well as offer practical resolution tools to abstinence and relapse deterrent. These are:
1. Personalized Assessment and Diagnosis
A personalized comprehensive assessment is the initial step in treating gambling addiction at Atlantic Behavioral Health. This process explores the person gambling habits mental health responsibilities discover deeply rooted problems behind this addiction. The aim of this evaluation is to help create an individualized treatment program for this patient.
In evaluating patients, mental health specialists at Atlantic Behavioral Health look at the level of an individual’s gambling addiction and whether he or she has any common co-occurring mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety) as well as personal and family history. Not everyone wants to take medication for their diabetes and not everyone should be, so the holistic approach helps in making a more patient-centric treatment planned.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
One of the most powerful methods for rehabilitation from gambling addiction is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This therapy is designed to help people understand the way they think and also to identify patterns, beliefs or situations that trigger their gambling behaviour. At Atlantic Behavioral Health, CBT is a primary feature of their gambling addiction treatment program.
CBT is an excellent method to help individuals:
Recognize Triggers: Come up with the situations, emotions, or thoughts that lead to wanting to gamble.
Question Irrational Beliefs: If someone is addicted to gambling, then he or she likely has irrational beliefs about his chances of winning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy assists them in identifying and questioning these thoughts.
Healthy Coping: CBT incorporates techniques to help gamblers improve their ability to manage stress, boredom and negative emotions without resorting to gambling.
Patients attend multiple therapy sessions where they become educated on what changes they should make to behavior and how they can modify their behaviour in a bid to stave off the urge to gamble.
3. Group Therapy and Support Groups
Atlantic Behavioral Health provides group therapy as part of its treatment plan. Though, another type of way a lot of people might find this beneficial is through group therapy where they can relate to other individuals who are going through some similar experiences which creates a sense of belonging and support system. To offer hope and share experiences, challenges, and successes with others in a group setting makes everyone feel less alone and even more determined to continue on the path of recovery.
Atlantic Behavioral Health also recommends GAmblers Anonymous (GA) group meetings, in addition to group therapy sessions. They are peer led support groups based on a 12-step program for those struggling with a gambling addiction. That community and sense of belonging and accountability that these groups provide is invaluable to people who are in this for the long haul.
4. Family Therapy and Support
Gambling really frustrates the individual and makes a significant negative effect on his family. Family therapy is a key component of treatment at Atlantic Behavioral Health. Some therapy sessions include family members who are invited to help with the emotional and relational fallout of addiction.
Family therapy helps:
Communicate Better: Family members learn how to communicate properly and effectively, and express their emotions in an acceptable manner.
Trust: The process will help you to rebuild trust: Trust is often one of the casualties of problem gambling. Therapy is where one can learn to trust and be understood again.
Family education: Family members are educated on gambling addiction, its consequences and how they can assist the gambler in their recovery.
Atlantic Behavioral Health makes sure that the patient has a solid support network during the recovery process by treating individual along with family members.
5. Relapse Prevention Strategies
As with all addictions, relapse is a common that most often meet the addict on their journey to recovery and therefore Atlantic Behavioral Health offers robust relapse prevention programming. These programs focus on helping people come up with ways to prevent relapse and support sobriety for good.
Relapse prevention techniques studied, such as:
Recognition of High-Risk Situations: The patient learns to identify context or situations that can lead them to the urge to gamble, like stress, boredom, or financial pressure.
Coping skills practice: This is when patients are educated on more healthy ways to cope with stress and negative emotions, like mindfulness or meditation, physical exercise.
Building a Support Network: Establishing an emotional safety net of family, friends and peers is critical to keeping recovery alive. At Atlantic Behavioral Health, we help people create and maintain these networks.
Establishing Financial Boundaries: Mismanagement of one’s finances is a massive problem for the majority of people struggling from gambling addiction and so as to get over this obstacle financially you need to have appropriate limits in terms of how much money should you be betting, the amount which should go in your individual bank account vs. your gaming account, as well income controls. Patients will be assisted with making financial decisions and limiting access to funds, and may help patients set up their account with a friend or family member if needed.
Atlantic Behavioral Health teaches patients the skills necessary to avoid relapsing into disordered gambling, which ensures an extended recovery from problematic gambling behavior.
Early Intervention and Community Outreach
While treating individuals with a gambling addiction, Atlantic Behavioral Health also seeks to educate the public about the dangers of problem gambling and the importance of seeking help at its earliest stages. Combat Problem Gambling has trained problem gambling counselors next to casinos, and they participate in community-based prevention and outreach.
Educational Programs
Atlantic Behavioral Health conducts educational programs in schools, workplaces and community organizations to spread the word about gambling addiction. These programs highlight the warning signs of problem gambling, responsible gambling and information on where to go for help.
Early Intervention for At-Risk Individuals
Effective treatment can prevent the gambling problem from advancing to an addiction. Atlantic Behavioral Health helps those who may be on track to the development of problem gambling behaviors, providing prevention services and counseling so they do not become addicted.
The Role of Technology in Addressing Problem Gambling
With the ubiquity of online gambling but a click away, this beast may rear its ugly head sooner rather than later which is why technology has become both one of the greatest lynching ropes in tightening our grip around new addicts and also an increasingly important tool in treating addiction to gaming abuse as well. Atlantic Behavioral Health recognizes that digital tools and telehealth services offer great promise to help people recover.
Teletherapy and Virtual Counseling
During the COVID-19 pandemic, teletherapy has seen a rise in popularity as an option for those seeking treatment for gambling addiction. You can even get counseling wherever you are via telecounseling with Atlantic Behavioral Health. This leads to better accessibility of care, especially for people in isolated areas or with busy schedules.
Apps for Tracking Gambling Habits
These days there are a number of apps that will help gamblers monitor their gambling, limit spending and keep track of recovery. If appropriate, Atlantic Behavioral Health may endorse these apps as an additional tool in a wide-stance approach to treat and keep gamblers accountable.
Conclusion: A Comprehensive Approach to Tackling Gambling Addiction
Problem gambling is a multifaceted issue intertwined with various cash-based forms, making it challenging to address addiction effectively. In the U.S., Atlantic Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive approach to treating gambling problems, providing valuable education and support for people with gambling issues to help them reclaim their lives. Their services cater to individuals affected by gambling, focusing on both the gambling and any associated substance use disorder, such as drug or alcohol addiction.
This healthcare provider offers a mix of therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, group support, and family involvement, alongside relapse prevention strategies. These tools are designed to help individuals break free from gambling’s grip and lead healthier, more productive lives. The clinical team also addresses other co-occurring conditions, such as severe OCD and provides treatment for ADHD, ensuring a holistic approach to recovery.
Atlantic Behavioral Health is concerned about your gambling and offers a comprehensive guide to understanding the risks and damage associated with gambling. They explore different options for treatment, help identify visible signs of gambling addiction, and provide support 24 hours a day through their helpline. By addressing the common forms of gambling, including the lottery and raffle, they aim to reduce the risk factors and harmful effects gambling has on people.