Symptoms and treatment for problem gambling can vary widely. Listed below are some strategies for treating problem gambling. These tips will help you make a plan for your gambling recovery. While the best course of action is to seek professional help, it may be difficult to stop gambling entirely. However, a person can improve their mental and physical health by engaging in healthy hobbies and practices. These activities include volunteering, sports, and reading. In addition, joining a peer support group such as Gamblers Anonymous can help you find the right support network to cope with your problem. OA is a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. This program includes finding a sponsor, an active former gambler who provides guidance and support.
Problem gambling
The National Council on Problem Gambling defines problem gambling as a progressive addiction that causes emotional, social, and legal problems. Individuals with problem gambling often engage in activities that are harmful to their finances, relationships, and reputations. Fortunately, there are ways to recover from a gambling addiction and prevent it from getting worse. Below are a few resources for overcoming your problem. Once you’ve reached the point of no return, it may be time to seek professional help.
The risk of developing problem gambling in young people is greater than in adults, and this risk is often compounded by the nature of their behavior. These youths often report higher levels of anxiety and depression than those who don’t develop problem gambling. They are also less likely to attend school and often engage in activities with higher risks. These risk factors can be exacerbated by the stress and pressure that problem gambling brings. Even those who can’t afford treatment for problem gambling should seek help to avoid the repercussions.
Symptoms
A person suffering from a gambling addiction is often preoccupied with the idea of gambling. It may become a way of self-soothing and escaping negative emotions. If a person is in constant debt and needs money to pay it off, they may also resort to gambling. They may lie to others about how much they gamble or depend on others to help them pay their bills. Gambling symptoms can develop at any stage of life, from adolescence to old age.
Unlike most diagnostic tools, the G-SAS is a self-report survey designed to gauge the intensity of a person’s gambling habits. Although it is not a diagnostic tool, the G-SAS is a valid and reliable indicator of gambling symptoms. The scale includes 12 items that measure the severity of a person’s symptoms. Each item asks the person to rate an average symptom over the past 7 days. The therapist can then compare that to the severity of their patient’s symptoms.
Treatment
For individuals with gambling addiction, there are several treatment options available. These options may include outpatient rehab and inpatient rehab. Outpatient rehab allows patients to go about their daily lives without distraction. A professional can recommend the best type of treatment for a particular gambling problem. Private therapists and primary care physicians can both screen for this disorder and recommend treatment options. The best way to choose the right therapy for you is to seek professional help as soon as possible.
Outpatient rehab programs, in contrast to residential treatment centers, are more flexible and often do not require a person to live at the facility. They may be an effective step down from residential care centers if an individual has previously failed treatment for gambling addiction. Psychotherapy for gambling addiction is a better option than medications. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and systematic exposure therapy have been shown to be effective in helping individuals “retrain” their brains and behaviors.