Gambling is a major public concern in Australia, and it’s estimated that Australians lose up to $25 billion annually to legal gambling activities. This represents the highest per capita losses in the world. Many people who have problematic gambling behaviour may wonder if there is a path to recovery for them.
That path may go through Orchid, a world-class treatment facility full of mental health professionals in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Can Gambling Addiction be Cured?
Just like addiction to substances, gambling addiction is a chronic disease. A person can stop engaging in addictive behaviours; however, the addiction will still be present. This is why people who have behavioural addictions need to avoid the behaviour again, as even a small relapse can cause someone to fall back into old patterns of unhealthy behaviour, such as problem gambling.
While it is possible to stop gambling, some people may feel the urge to gamble long after treatment. So, addiction can’t truly be cured because many people will always have urges. However, it can be managed, and many people have done so and built healthy lives.
What is Gambling Addiction?
Gambling disorder is a behavioural health condition that is characterised primarily by an inability to control gambling behaviour. People who have a gambling disorder will gamble regardless of any consequences that they may face as a result of their behaviour.
For compulsive gamblers, gambling may become the highest priority, and they will place wagers regardless of whether or not it is appropriate to do so. They may even neglect their relationships and responsibilities in favour of gambling.
It’s not just about winning for problem gamblers. They could win a life-changing amount of money, enough to make several generations of their family wealthy, and they’ll still want to keep betting. Because it’s not winning but the act of gambling itself that gives a problem gambler the ‘high’ they crave.
Signs You Have a Gambling Addiction
Several signs may indicate that you have a gambling disorder. The first is a preoccupation with gambling. You may think about placing bets or about the bets you’ve already placed constantly. You may also find yourself constantly checking to see if there are any updates to any wagers you made.
You may run into financial problems. This is because most gamblers, regardless of whether they have a gambling disorder or not, will lose. However, problem gamblers cannot stop, and they may lose over and over again, which can drain their savings.
Because of this, many may find themselves taking out loans for whatever source will lend them money so they can keep placing bets. In some cases, you may place bets in the hopes that you’ll win and be able to cover previous losses, which will invariably lead to more financial strain.
If you do find yourself in dire financial straits, you may find yourself lying to friends and family about the extent of your money troubles to hide the extent of your financial problems.
You may become restless and irritable if you’re unable to gamble. This is not unlike when a substance user goes into withdrawal.
How Can I Recover From Gambling Addiction?
Despite the difficulty of a gambling disorder, it is possible to recover and manage gambling triggers. The most important thing to do to treat gambling addiction is to find a professional treatment programme. Having professional guidance from addiction experts can be crucial in managing triggers.
Joining support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous can also be a crucial part of a person’s treatment plan.
Treatment Available for Compulsive Gambling
There are several approaches that professionals will use to address a person’s gambling problems. Some of the treatment options that can help a problem gambler include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a widely used therapeutic approach that helps people address the negative thought patterns or cognitive distortions that may contribute to unhealthy behaviours. This can help people change their behaviour.
Support Groups
Support groups can be vital for recovering from problem gambling. It can offer a supportive community full of people who have had their struggles with gambling. They can also offer opportunities to learn from others who may be further along in their recovery. These groups can also be vital for relapse prevention after a person completes treatment for gambling addiction.
Motivational Interviewing
MI is a form of therapy that helps to resolve ambivalence or antipathy about recovery. It uses techniques such as active listening and guided questions to help patients develop their intrinsic motivation to change.
Self-Exclusion
Self-exclusion programmes are when a person voluntarily registers to be temporarily or permanently blocked from places where people gamble. In Australia, such places are legally required to give people the option to exclude themselves if they wish.
The Benefits of Residential Gambling Addiction Treatment
There are numerous benefits to getting effective treatment for pathological gambling. One is that it can help repair familial bonds. The financial difficulties that are caused by gambling addiction can put a heavy strain on interpersonal relationships, especially with partners and dependents, so being able to stop can help a person begin the process of reconciling with loved ones.
Speaking of which, being able to overcome gambling addiction can help a person rebuild their finances. Because they’re no longer spending their money on wagers, they can begin clearing debts and rebuilding their savings.
What Causes Gambling Addiction?
Gambling addiction can be caused by numerous things. Mental health disorders such as bipolar disorder can often cause people to engage in impulsive acts such as gambling during manic episodes. Gambling can also be used as a coping mechanism for disorders such as depression or anxiety.
As with any other form of addiction, someone with a gambling addiction can inherit their addictive personality traits from their family. Being around gamblers can also encourage a person to begin gambling themselves.
Bet on Yourself to Treat Gambling Addiction
By itself, gambling is fairly innocuous. There’s nothing inherently wrong with placing a bet every now and then. However, gambling can become a problem when it starts to dominate a person’s thoughts and becomes their highest priority. So much so that their quality of life becomes affected. At that point, professional help is required.
Most bets typically aren’t guaranteed. The uncertainty is part of the appeal. But a safe bet to make is that Orchid will offer world-class treatment to help you or your loved one make a recovery journey.
