Gambling becomes a problem when individuals continue to spend time and money on it despite negative consequences. Gambling can turn into a compulsive habit that feels out of their control. They often think about gambling a lot and may become obsessed with winning. However, losing can feel devastating, which could push them to try to win back what they lost. Some people also use gambling to escape from stress in their lives.
Whether it’s betting on cards, sports, races, or slot machines, even small bets can lead to serious gambling issues. And today, online gambling has made it more accessible to anyone. Our team at Orchid wants to raise awareness about the risks of gambling addiction and help you recognize the signs if someone you know is struggling. If you are dealing with gambling issues along with substance abuse, remember that we are here to support you.
Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction, known as Gambling Disorder, is a complex issue characterised by a continuous pattern of harmful gambling that continues despite negative effects on a person’s life. It often begins with occasional gambling in the teenage years or early adulthood and can develop into more serious gambling problems.
Gambling addiction tends to worsen over time. It typically starts with small bets that grow larger. While research is ongoing to find the reasons behind problem gambling, many believe that addiction is driven more by the excitement of gambling rather than the desire to win.
Gambling Addiction Rehab In Thailand
If your gambling habits are affecting your life, there are various treatment options available to help you control the urge to gamble. Treatment centres for gambling addiction, like Orchid, provide organised recovery programs and evidence-based methods. Generally, people with this condition are treated with therapy. In some cases, medications can be prescribed.
Working with a therapist can help you recognize unhealthy patterns in your thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviours. Therapy offers a safe environment to discuss difficult issues and develop coping skills. One common evidence-based treatment for gambling addiction is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach focuses on the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. In treating gambling issues, therapists assist individuals in identifying irrational thoughts related to gambling. Once these thoughts are recognized, the goal is to challenge and change them. CBT also teaches practical skills to replace gambling behaviours with healthier coping strategies.
Medications like mood stabilisers and antidepressants can help alleviate symptoms associated with gambling addiction. Some antidepressants may also lessen the urge to gamble.
Why Choose Orchid For Gambling Addiction Treatment
At Orchid, we distinguish ourselves from other treatment centres by providing a thorough and empathetic approach to addressing gambling addiction.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Our method incorporates evidence-based treatments such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). These therapies are specifically aimed at assisting you in managing the symptoms associated with gambling addiction and various mental health disorders.
Dual Diagnosis
At The Orchid, we understand that gambling addiction can often coexist with other mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Our dual-diagnosis treatment strategy is specifically tailored to tackle both addiction and mental health disorders at the same time.
Holistic Approach
A fundamental characteristic that sets The Orchid apart from other treatment centres is our commitment to a holistic wellness strategy. This approach incorporates physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health as vital components of the recovery process. By adopting this strategy, we promote a well-rounded and thorough recovery journey that addresses the full range of an individual’s well-being.
Comprehensive Assessment And Diagnosis
Effective treatment starts with a thorough understanding of each individual’s distinct symptoms and circumstances. At The Orchid, we initiate the process with an extensive assessment that examines your gambling behaviours, mental health background, and any existing comorbidities. This meticulous evaluation enables us to establish an accurate diagnosis and identify the factors contributing to and sustaining your condition.
Affordable Luxury Rehab Center
We are dedicated to delivering affordable, top-tier care to our patients, offering treatment options that accommodate various budgets while ensuring the exceptional service you deserve. We aim to provide a premium experience that prioritises your well-being and recovery and is free from financial stress.
24/7 Comprehensive Care
Our committed team of experts is accessible around the clock to meet your needs, whether you require clinical assistance or emotional support. We offer continuous monitoring and tailored care to guarantee that you receive the appropriate level of attention and support throughout your recovery journey.
Mental Health Treatments
Orchid provides comprehensive treatment for various mental health conditions such as:
PTSD Treatment
Individuals experiencing PTSD require comprehensive and personalised care that takes into account their unique needs and preferences. This condition typically does not resolve without intervention. Our approaches to treating PTSD may involve therapy and/or medications aimed at alleviating anxiety, mood disturbances, sleep difficulties, and other related symptoms.
Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety disorder treatments differ based on the specific condition. Typically, treatment includes both therapy and medication. The common approach involves psychological counselling and therapies like CBT. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns that can lead to anxiety, reducing distorted thinking, and adjusting how one reacts to stress.
Burnout Treatment
Burnout is mainly addressed through therapy. CBT is especially effective for burnout because it helps people identify and alter negative thoughts and actions. By questioning unrealistic beliefs and adopting better coping methods, individuals can lower stress, handle burnout symptoms, and enhance their overall health. Medical treatments are generally not used for burnout itself, but they may be applied to tackle related issues like depression.
Depression Treatment
At The Orchid, we nurture the overall well-being of clients, which is why we incorporate holistic treatments into our treatment methods. Practices like yoga, sound baths, and meditation happen daily at our rehab centre. Exploring these ways of managing stress can create a more well-rounded experience for clients.
Therapies For Gambling Addiction
Many kinds of therapy are used to help people with gambling problems. The ideas behind therapy for gamblers are similar to those used for treating substance abuse. This is because both issues involve losing control, being overly focused on the behaviour, and continuing to engage in it even when it leads to bad outcomes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a leading treatment for behavioural addictions, such as compulsive gambling. It focuses on how our thoughts, feelings, and actions interact with each other. CBT works by tackling irrational thoughts and beliefs that trigger compulsive behaviours. During therapy, individuals learn about their gambling habits and the patterns behind them while also developing new ways to cope. The therapist helps clients recognize unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and emotions, guiding them to change their behaviours using structured techniques.
Dialectic Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a therapeutic approach that has been successfully modified to address gambling addiction. This method emphasises four essential skills, namely, mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. By developing these skills, individuals can better manage their behaviours and emotions and address both the symptoms and underlying factors contributing to their gambling problems. DBT equips individuals with practical strategies to reclaim control over their lives and foster enduring recovery.
Group Therapy
People dealing with gambling addiction often struggle to overcome their challenges independently. Group therapy can be a highly effective approach because it offers a secure and encouraging space for individuals to express their experiences and emotions alongside others who share similar struggles. This setting allows participants to acquire coping mechanisms, gain a deeper understanding of their addiction, and formulate strategies to handle triggers and cravings.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals navigate their ambivalent feelings about change. Those dealing with gambling addiction frequently face a struggle between the urge to stop their compulsive gambling and the pleasure these activities bring. This method helps in reconciling these internal struggles and enhances their intrinsic motivation to initiate change. Practitioners of Motivational Interviewing typically recognize several stages of change that individuals may go through, such as pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
Phases Of Gambling Addiction
The emergence of problems associated with gambling disorders differs among individuals and is significantly influenced by their personal experiences while gambling. Typically, there are four distinct stages or phases of gambling addiction during which these challenges frequently arise, and almost every gambler experiences these stages.
Winning Phase
The first phase of gambling addiction is the winning phase. It often starts with a big win or several smaller wins, which create a strong urge to keep gambling and raise the stakes. The individual may feel an exaggerated sense of power and control over their winning ability. These early victories boost their self-esteem and hope, making them eager to chase more wins. However, the excitement of winning mainly comes from the amount of money bet. As compulsive gamblers keep playing, they tend to raise their bets to feel that same excitement, much like how tolerance builds with drugs or alcohol.
Losing Phase
During the losing phase, people with gambling problems often pull away from their friends and family. They tend to gamble alone and may look for ways to borrow money, whether legally or illegally. This behaviour leads to isolation, affecting their home life as well. As they gamble more and increase their bets, their debts grow larger. These gamblers often try to recover their losses, feeling the urge to gamble again right after losing with the hope of winning back their money.
Desperation Phase
Gamblers often try to recover their losses when they feel desperate to regain some of their money. This can lead them to steal or lie to those close to them. They frequently deal with feelings of shame and guilt, which can cause problems in their relationships. Even though they know they should stop gambling, they often feel hopeless and out of control. When gamblers reach this point, it is common for them to develop issues with substance use and experience severe depression or anxiety.
Hopeless Phase
In the darkest times, problem gamblers reach their lowest point. They feel that no one cares and that help is out of reach. To escape their pain, they might turn to drugs and alcohol. They confront a deep sense of hopelessness, realizing that they cannot stop gambling on their own. This stage is filled with suffering, including legal troubles, broken relationships, and substance abuse. It highlights the urgent need for help and support for those affected by gambling addiction.
Begin Your Gambling Rehab At Orchid
Dealing with gambling addiction can be challenging. During the treatment process, individuals might face some challenges and setbacks, but seeking help is an ongoing effort that brings them toward recovery.
It’s essential to see gambling addiction as a long-term issue that needs regular care. By following treatment plans, those struggling with gambling can find vital support and resources to help them overcome their difficulties and lead a fulfilling and balanced life.
If you or someone you know is dealing with gambling addiction, we encourage you to seek assistance. With our highly trained team of addiction experts, Orchid offers a specialized and thorough treatment programme designed to lessen gambling addiction symptoms, manage urges, support long-term recovery, and help prevent relapse.