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Gambling Disorder
Did you know the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists gambling addiction as a disorder similar to a substance related addictive disorder? For individuals who are addicted to gambling, it can disrupt their careers, destroy their relationships, or send them into debts. Recognizing that gambling is an addiction is the first step to seeking help and can be treated similar to a drug or alcohol addiction by licensed professionals.
Not everyone who gambles is addicted to it, however, as of 2015, almost 9% of the adult and young adult population is reported to have gambling as an addictive behavior. Gambling becomes an addiction when that behavior causes significant distress and leads to symptoms and behaviors that severely disrupt their life.
Gambling is often referred to as a secret addiction because individuals may not recognize that it’s an addiction, and hide their gambling tendencies from their loved ones. They may have an un-suppressable urge to gamble, to the point that they may lie, steal or cheat in order to continue their habit.
Not every gambler exhibits all the symptoms, however the DSM-5 states that an individual must exhibit at least four or more of the following criteria to be diagnosed with a gambling addiction disorder.
There are several options for treatment of gambling addiction, including therapy and medication assisted treatments performed as a combination of inpatient treatments, intensive outpatient programs, clinical interventions, and group support programs, depending on the patient’s needs.
We offer structured semi-residential treatment called Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) for gambling disorders at our own facilities to provide the most successful option, including constant supervision by our clinical staff, daily individual and group therapy sessions, as well as holistic treatment approaches.
Our intensive outpatient programs (IOP) as well as outpatient programs (OP) are structured to include therapeutic options to provide the most flexibility and affordability for those who have other obligations such as school, work and family responsibilities.
Our licensed clinical staff include psychiatrists and certified therapists in providing behavioral therapy (CBT, DBT, EMDR), psychotherapy, mindfulness based therapy, and several other modalities which may be combined to provide the most effective treatment plans for our gambling disorder patients.
One of the biggest advantages of recovering with us is that patients have an extended support group of peers to help them through difficult times and avoid relapses. Both 12-step and non-12-step options are available.
If a patient’s gambling disorder includes other mental health issues such as depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, antidepressants may be prescribed under supervision. Narcotic Antagonists have also been shown to reduce gambling urges in some cases.
There are several settings that are easily accessible for gamblers, both chance-based and skills-based. These are a few common areas, but for someone with a gambling disorder, temptation can be found anywhere.
If you recognize yourself or your loved one having an addiction to gambling, you probably already know that it is disrupting your life and destroying your finances and relationships. If you have already tried to self-exclude having difficulty controlling your urges, it is best to consult a mental health professional. At California Prime, we provide an individual assessment of all of our patients, and create individualized treatment plans specific to their disorders. Call California Prime Recovery to see how we can help: 866-208-2390
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