Gambling Addiction – How to Recognise It

If you suspect that you have a gambling addiction, the first step is to talk about it with someone you trust who won’t judge you. This could be a family member, friend or professional counsellor. Trying to resolve this issue on your own without help may only make matters worse and cause more problems. During the conversation, you should focus on how your behaviour is affecting those closest to you. The goal should be to stress that professional treatment is needed and provide them with information and resources for local services.

Gambling addiction is similar to other substance abuse issues in that it affects both the physical and psychological aspects of the individual. There are a number of effective treatment strategies that can be implemented, including behavioural talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy, addressing negative thought patterns and using medications to manage symptoms. In some cases, the most successful approach is a residential programme where the individual is removed from all temptation and placed into a therapeutic environment for several weeks.

Sternlicht says that if you’re concerned about the cost of getting help, many specialists in gambling addiction accept health insurance and will work on a sliding scale to reduce fees in alignment with what you can afford. She also suggests searching online or calling your insurer for a list of in-network resources. Additionally, a service like Talkspace can connect you with a licensed therapist through a HIPAA-compliant app for an affordable fee.