Find Treatment for Gambling Addiction: Rehab Options Explained

What are the Rehab Options for Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction is a serious condition where someone feels unable to control their urge to gamble despite negative consequences. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, medication, and support groups for connection and accountability.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to gambling addiction. The most effective treatment plans are personalized and may involve multiple approaches.

We created a table showing the different options available:

Remember that finding the right treatment or combination of therapies is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, and setbacks are normal along the way.

If you think you or someone you care about may have a gambling problem, getting a professional assessment is crucial. The earlier it’s identified, the better the chances for successful treatment and a return to a healthier, happier life free from addiction.

How Is Gambling Addiction Diagnosed?

There are specific criteria used in diagnosing a gambling disorder. A psychologist or psychiatrist will conduct a thorough evaluation by reviewing your symptoms.

They’ll discuss your gambling habits, looking for the key signs and symptoms that indicate a problem. They will also assess how your gambling is negatively impacting aspects of your life, including:

• Finances
• Relationships
• Your job
• Your emotional well-being

They will also collect your medical history to rule out any physical illnesses and identify co-occurring mental health issues like anxiety or depression.

Screening and Assessment Tools

Often, a preliminary assessment will involve brief screening questionnaires. These help determine the likelihood of problem gambling.

Some commonly used screening tools include:

• BBGS (Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen)
• NODS-CLiP (National Opinion Research Center (NORC) Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems and Control, Lying, Preoccupation tests)
• Lie/Bet Questionnaire

If a screening tool suggests probable gambling addiction, a more comprehensive assessment, like the NODS (National Opinion Research Center DSM Screen for Gambling Problems) or SOGS (South Oaks Gambling Screen), might be used. This thorough evaluation delves deeper into your gambling history and behavior to determine the severity of the problem.

Gambling addiction, also known as pathological gambling, is characterized by persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior that leads to significant impairment or distress.

Sponsored

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

• Professional and effective
• Affordable and convenient
• Personalized and discreet
• Easy to start

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

What Causes Gambling Addiction?

Gambling addiction, like other addictive behaviors, is a complex disease that isn’t caused by a single factor. Instead, it results from a combination of genetic, psychological, and social factors.

Let’s break down some of these key contributing factors:

Genetic Predisposition

Studies show that gambling addiction can run in families, suggesting a genetic component. If you have a close relative who has struggled with this issue, you may be at higher risk of developing an addiction as well.

Researchers have identified specific genes that appear to influence a person’s vulnerability to addiction. For example, variations in genes linked to the brain’s reward system, like the MAO-A gene, can make someone more susceptible.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Gambling addiction often goes hand-in-hand with other mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and even substance abuse. These conditions can work in a vicious cycle with gambling.

For instance, someone struggling with depression might turn to gambling for the temporary thrill and escape. Conversely, the financial ruin and shame caused by gambling can spiral a person back into depression.

Treating both the addiction and any underlying mental health issue is essential for lasting recovery.

Psychological Triggers

There are many psychological triggers people may have that make them more susceptible to gambling, like:

• Impulsivity: People who struggle with impulse control may have a tougher time resisting the urge to gamble, even when they know the risks.
• Coping with stress: Gambling can become a dangerous way to cope with difficult emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. It’s a temporary escape that ultimately makes problems worse.
• Cognitive distortions: Many problem gamblers hold onto irrational beliefs about gambling, such as thinking they have a “lucky system” or misinterpreting near-misses as signs that a win is imminent. These distortions fuel the addiction.

Social Environment and Upbringing

Where someone grows up, what they’re exposed to, and who they’re around are also important. Consider these factors:

• Early exposure: Research clearly shows that being exposed to gambling as a child or teenager increases the risk of developing problems later in life. This could be as simple as watching your parents buy lottery tickets.
• Friends and family: If gambling is the norm in your social circle, it can be harder to recognize or resist unhealthy behavior. Having a parent with a gambling problem increases risk, too, both through potential genetic links and learned behaviors.

Gambling addiction doesn’t stem from a moral failing or lack of willpower. It’s a complex condition arising from a combination of factors.

Understanding these risk factors is crucial for both prevention and the development of effective treatment strategies. Like many other diseases, early intervention is key in minimizing the damage that gambling addiction can cause.

Sponsored

Get Professional Help

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

How to Maintain Recovery and a Gambling-Free Life

Recovery from gambling addiction is a challenging lifelong journey. While a comprehensive treatment program likely addresses many of these elements during active treatment, continued vigilance is essential.

Everyone has unique triggers. These could be emotional (like boredom or stress), environmental (like seeing a casino sign), or linked to particular people or places. Identifying your triggers is the first step to avoiding or managing them.

Don’t just try to “white-knuckle” or power through with sheer willpower when urges hit. Create a plan of action so you know in advance how to respond when cravings arise. This could involve:

• Calling a support person
• Practicing relaxation techniques
• Engaging in a distracting activity

Urges only feel permanent in the moment. Remind yourself they will pass by using helpful mantras like “This urge isn’t me” or “This feeling won’t last forever” to regain control of your thoughts.

Why is It Important to Build a Strong Support Network?

A strong support system can make sobriety possible, sustainable, and fulfilling. Be open and honest with trusted family and friends about your recovery. They can remind you of your goals, offer distractions, and intervene if they see warning signs.

Groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offer incredible understanding and support. Hearing from others battling similar urges and sharing your experiences builds motivation and provides proven strategies for avoiding relapse.

Continuing therapy provides ongoing support and accountability. A therapist can help you create personalized coping strategies and deal with any underlying emotional issues that may have contributed to your addiction.

Additional Tips for Long-term Success

Here are other tips we suggest to maintain long-term sobriety:

• Nourish your body with healthy food, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.
• Fill the void left by gambling with new hobbies and interests.
• Learn relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to cope with difficult emotions.
• Set small, achievable goals and celebrate your victories.
• Be patient with yourself⁠—remember, recovery is a process.
• Don’t give up, even if you slip. Seek help and recommit to your goals.

Recovering from a gambling addiction is a remarkable achievement. The tools and strategies you develop will not only protect your recovery but also contribute to a healthier, more fulfilling life overall.

How to Support Someone with a Gambling Addiction

When someone you care about is struggling with gambling addiction, it’s natural to want to do everything you can to help. However, figuring out the most effective ways to provide support while protecting yourself can be a challenging balance. 

Here are some key strategies to keep in mind:

Approach with Understanding and Compassion

Remember, your loved one’s addiction isn’t a choice or a sign of weakness. Avoid accusations, ultimatums, or judgmental language.

Express your concerns using “I” statements like, “I’m worried about you” and “I’m here for you when you’re ready to get help.”

Educate Yourself

The more you understand about gambling addiction, the better equipped you’ll be to support your loved one.

Learn about the psychological underpinnings, signs and symptoms, and effective treatment options. This knowledge builds empathy and allows you to make more informed decisions about your support.

Encourage Them to Seek Help

Emphasize the importance of professional help without pressuring them. Offer to assist them in finding resources like therapists, rehab programs, or Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Be clear that while you’ll support them, they are responsible for seeking recovery.

Setting Boundaries

It’s okay, and even essential, to prioritize your well-being. Set clear boundaries with your loved one that protect you financially and emotionally. This might involve:

• Refusing to lend money or bail them out: Financial enabling often perpetuates the addiction cycle.
• Protecting your finances: If necessary, consider separating your finances to shield yourself from any gambling-related debts.
• Limiting contact: You may need to distance yourself at times for your own emotional health. Kindly communicate this to them, but make it clear you still care.

Supporting someone with a gambling addiction can be emotionally taxing. Seek your own support by attending support groups like Gam-Anon, talking to a counselor, or simply investing in hobbies and activities that bring you comfort. Caring for yourself enhances your capacity to care for others.

Be a Source of Ongoing Support

Recovery is an ongoing journey with potential setbacks. Remain a constant in your loved one’s life, celebrating successes and offering encouragement when challenges arise. Let them know that you believe in their ability to overcome this addiction.

Some additional tips:

• Avoid arguing about gambling or trying to control their behavior
• Refrain from internalizing or taking personally any gambling-related behaviors displayed by your loved one
• Be patient. Recovery from gambling addiction takes time and commitment

Supporting a loved one with an addiction is rarely easy, but it is incredibly meaningful. With understanding, healthy boundaries, and a focus on their and your well-being, you can play a key role in facilitating their healing process.

Sponsored

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started