Gambling Addiction Treatment

If you’re worried that your gambling habit could be causing financial hardship, it might be time to seek help. Gambling addiction treatment options include counseling, which helps problem gamblers address underlying issues. For example, a 12-step program can help you overcome irrational beliefs that have led you to engage in compulsive gambling. Other effective approaches to gambling addiction treatment include family therapy and credit counseling.

Sometimes problem gambling is the symptom of a deeper issue, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. If these problems are the root of the addiction, treatment will include counseling or medication to help the person deal with those issues. Some forms of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, also aim to change a person’s thinking patterns and beliefs about gambling.

A physician or other mental health professional can diagnose a gambling addiction. A medical history will reveal whether the person is taking certain medications, and a psychiatric assessment may reveal if they’re suffering from other mental health conditions that may be contributing to the compulsive behavior. In the United States, a gambling addiction can be formally diagnosed using the DSM-5, published by the American Psychiatric Association. Other questionnaires are also used in other countries.

Gambling addiction is a progressive behavior disorder that affects a person’s ability to control their emotions. Compulsive gamblers experience uncontrollable urges to gamble, and they lose control of their emotions. In some cases, they may also be using their debts or savings to fund their habit. In addition, they may try to hide their gambling behavior by stealing and defrauding people.