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Gambling addictions have unfortunately progressed over the years. As gambling platforms have become more accessible, due to online betting apps and websites, compulsive gambling behaviour can occur through a simple click of a button.
Identified as an impulsive, uncontrollable behaviour, gambling is commonly associated with an underlying causation. People with gambling addictions will view gambling as a coping mechanism, masking a stress or mental health issue. Through a gambling addiction, it is therefore likely to develop a dual diagnosis, aggravating the addiction cycle.
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The Signs and Symptoms of a Gambling Addiction
In today’s society, gambling activity is normalised. Wherever you look, there is an advert for odds or betting sites. Many individuals can gamble responsibly, seen as competitive fun. However, for some individuals, the urge to gamble takes over, no matter the consequences.
Once caught up into gambling, it can be difficult for people who rely on this compulsive behaviour to consider their actions. Identifying an addiction can be difficult. However, it is important to consider how far you will go and the negative impacts gambling will have on your life if activity continues.
- Do you invest into gambling activity more often than the average person?
- Do you see gambling as a competitive activity?
- Is gambling used as a coping mechanism?
- Will you gamble, no matter the consequences?
- Do you deny that you have a gambling addiction?
- Do you bet on virtual races and online games?
- Are you experiencing additional addictive tendencies, such as a drug addiction?
- Do you hide your gambling from family members?
- Have you experienced great loss through gambling, such as finances?
If the above reflects your behaviour surrounding gambling, an addiction may be developing. Although perceived less hazardous than the likes of a drug addiction, gambling can quickly reduce quality of life, financial health, relationships and careers.
Likewise, it can motivate additional substance abuse, while fueling mental health conditions. With this in mind, as soon as you spot the signs and symptoms of a dependence, gambling addiction help through treatment should be sourced.
Why receiving Gambling Addiction help is important
Living with a gambling addiction can be very difficult. There’s commonly a lot at stake, where severe consequences are probable. With this in mind, it is very important that gambling addiction help is sourced.
Developed as a compulsive behaviour, a dependence on gambling unfortunately will not diminish by itself. Taking part in gambling activity can be difficult to stop without reinforced coping mechanisms. As a result of this, those habits and behavioural characteristics can only be reduced and worked through by sourcing professional addiction help.
Without receiving gambling addiction help through treatment, short-term recovery may be experienced. This can commonly happen if stress or mental health side effects subsidise.
Large wins can also help people who gamble justify a period of recovery. In turn, large wins can also fuel greater gambling activity, with the urge to experience those similar highs. Not to mention how those subsidised side effects will commonly resurface without addiction treatment, making long-term recovery improbable.
With this in mind, no matter your experience with gambling, long-term recovery cannot be achieved alone. It is imperative that gambling addiction help is sourced, with the ability to also treat a dual diagnosis of a mental health issue. This may currently feel above your addiction severity.
You may believe that your gambling behaviour measures as average. However, if you can’t stop physically gambling or thinking about it, this lies beyond average gambling activity. With this in mind, it’s important to consider the consequences linked to your impulse control disorder.
To ensure a high-quality life can continue, reach out for our support here at Nova Recovery.
Scotland Based Mental Health & Addiction Treatment Providers
Key offerings available include:
- Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Scotland
- 1:1 Support from Clinical Nurse Practitioners, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Therapists
- Access to Trained Psychiatrists
- 24-Hour Nursing Care
- Comfortable & Quality Accommodation
- Clinically Led Recovery Model Underpinned by Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- 1 Year Aftercare
So what are you waiting for?
Begin your journeyCompulsive gambling treatment plans
Through sourcing gambling addiction help through a treatment facility, addiction treatments will commonly be available. This is the approach we take here at Nova Recovery, with a focus on psychological treatment plans
As gambling is a psychologically driven coping mechanism, it is vital that behavioural therapies are used to reduce those triggers or habits. However, before suitable treatment options can begin, our mental health professionals will work with you to uncover the initial gambling trigger. This commonly lies within the stress family, along with existing mental health issues. However, addiction causations can vary from person to person.
Understanding what’s fueling your gambling activity is vital, ensuring that addiction help is effective. From here, a number of behavioural therapies will be utilised, helping you work through your negative relationship with risk.
Behavioural talking therapies, support groups, gamblers anonymous sessions and cognitive behavioural therapy are the key treatment options implemented to work towards addiction recovery.
Alongside leading treatment options, our mental health professionals will work with you through impulse control techniques. This is where you will build up positive coping mechanisms, helping you combat future gambling cravings.
Treatment plans for a Dual Diagnosis
For many individuals experiencing a gambling addiction, a dual diagnosis will commonly be present. This can be the initial trigger, causing gambling activity, or may have developed as a side effect of addiction.
It is important to remember that there are many highs and lows involved in gambling, known to increase susceptibility of anxiety and depression.
As a result of this, it is important that those experiencing a dual diagnosis do receive appropriate treatment options. In tandem with gambling addiction help, suitable medications may be provided to control those mental health side effects.
Please be reassured that this is commonly a last option, after completing psychological intervention.
However, no matter the treatment option, there is great potential to control and change your outlook on gambling.
John Gillen
- Author
- Last updated: June 22, 2023
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.
If you believe that you’re experiencing a negative relationship with gambling, reaching out for gambling addiction help is recommended; something we offer here at the Nova Recovery addiction recovery centre. By working through behavioural therapy, we can help you uncover the initial motivator, resulting in compulsive gambling.
To receive immediate and high-quality gambling addiction help, contact our team today. The sooner you act, the less risk you will experience of negative consequences, linked to consistent gambling.