Gambling Addiction
If you or someone you love is suffering from a gambling problem, you should seek treatment. Learn about the warning signs and possible treatments. Using online tests is not a substitute for a face-to-face evaluation by a trained clinical professional. Only a trained professional can provide a full assessment and a treatment plan based on the individual’s needs. Treatment can address various aspects of the individual’s life, including financial problems, legal problems, and their professional situation. If you suspect that you may be suffering from a gambling addiction, you should seek treatment from a licensed health care professional.
Problem gambling
Problem gambling is an addictive behavior that leads to emotional, financial and legal problems. Depending on the severity, problem gambling can be mild or severe and may worsen over time. Problem gambling was previously referred to as pathological gambling or compulsive gambling. The American Psychiatric Association has now recognized it as an Impulse Control Disorder (ICD).
The DSM-IV criteria for problem gambling have been revised, resulting in fewer misclassifications and increased confidence in the prevalence estimates. The updated criteria are based on more empirical research, and they are now based on a more comprehensive, evaluative process. This includes surveys of 222 compulsive gamblers and 104 substance-abusing social gamblers. The researchers then used cluster analyses to identify nine symptoms associated with the disorder.
Signs of addiction
There are many warning signs that a person may be suffering from an addiction to gambling. Many of these symptoms are similar to those of drug and alcohol addiction. Other symptoms include irritability, depression, and restlessness. These are all common signs of emotional withdrawal resulting from the obsession with gambling. An addict believes that they need to gamble in order to be happy. This craving is often so strong that they feel anxious or irritable, or they may even start to lose weight.
In addition to emotional distress, people with gambling addictions often break the law in order to fund their habits. They may steal or commit fraud to obtain money for their gambling habit. These actions may land them in jail or on probation. Although denial is common, it is important to seek help when you notice these signs. You can get professional help if your loved one has a gambling addiction and is showing symptoms. You should talk to other members of the family to find out what you can do to help them.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options for gambling addiction, including family therapy, marriage counselling, and career and credit counselling. Treatment for gambling addiction is best suited for people who are serious about changing their behavior and need help to make lasting changes. Individuals must make a conscious decision to quit, have the support of friends and family, and find an appropriate recovery program. A person with a gambling addiction should not be forced to gamble. Rather, they should decide to stop gambling and focus on improving their lives.
Although the rate of pathological gambling is low, treatment is essential. Traditional approaches like activity scheduling and desensitization are often ineffective, and the individual must be monitored and evaluated by a healthcare professional. Despite the high risk for self-harm, the gambling disorder can aggravate underlying substance use problems. Treatment for a gambling disorder should address both the substance use problem and the addiction to the gambling itself. This treatment is known as dual-diagnosis.
If you or someone you love is suffering from a gambling problem, you should seek treatment. Learn about the warning signs and possible treatments. Using online tests is not a substitute for a face-to-face evaluation by a trained clinical professional. Only a trained professional can provide a full assessment and a treatment plan based on…