Understanding Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is characterized by persistent, recurrent, and problematic gambling leading to negative consequences and distress.
Symptoms of gambling disorder include:
- Need to gamble with an increased amount of money to achieve the same excitement
- Restlessness and irritability when trying to cut down on gambling
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to decrease gambling
- Preoccupied with gambling
- Gambles when feeling distressed
- Lies to conceal the gambling
- Loss of relationships, jobs, or education due to gambling
- Relying on others for money to deal with gambling consequences
For a gambling disorder to be diagnosed, the client must not be in a manic episode. Gambling disorder can also be classified as episodic or persistent. Episodic describes symptoms that occur for some time and subside. Persistent describes symptoms that have been ongoing for multiple years.
Types of Gambling Addiction Therapy
At Evolve Therapy & Counseling, we use a structured therapy approach to help clients dealing with gambling problems. We recognize that gambling often stems from deeper issues. The Sovereign Body Method, developed by Liz Chelak, LCSW, helps clients understand how gambling addiction affects the brain and body. This method teaches them how to listen to their body’s signals and cope with the underlying causes of their gambling behavior.
Clients will start to recognize the triggers of their gambling urges and learn to manage those underlying emotions, rather than allowing them to dictate their behavior and lead to gambling.
Within this method, some of the best types of therapy for gambling addiction include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)– This type of therapy helps you identify and change the negative thoughts that lead to gambling addiction.
- Motivational interviewing (MI)- MI helps you identify the reasons you want to change your gambling habits and the benefits of breaking free from gambling addiction.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)– DBT can help you learn to manage the emotions that lead to gambling.
After going through the four phases of therapy, you will be able to identify gambling urges and respond to them in a way that is more beneficial to you.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Gambling Addiction
Cognitive behavioral therapy can give you the tools you need to be able to:
- Use coping skills to handle triggers that cause you to gamble
- Understand the thoughts that are causing your addiction
- Learn how to change the thoughts that cause you to gamble
CBT can help you no longer need to gamble compulsively. The tools you learn with CBT can help you in all aspects of your life by allowing you to change the thoughts that are causing negative consequences in your life.
Embrace Healing The Power of Trust in Therapeutic Relationships
“In my experience, the most effective aspect of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Establishing trust between a client and clinician is the first step to healing.”
Motivational Interviewing for Gambling Addiction
MI can help you increase your motivation to change. MI is a client-centered, strengths-based approach that can help you identify your reasons for change. You can use these skills to help maintain long-term recovery from gambling addiction.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Gambling Addiction
Medication-assisted treatment combines medication and therapy to help control cravings and reduce the urge to gamble.
With medication and therapy combined, you can:
- Reduce cravings to gamble
- Manage emotions in a healthy way
- Prevent gambling relapse
- Learn to cope with life stressors in a healthy way
Medication always works best in combination with psychotherapy. You can talk to your therapist regarding a referral for a psychiatrist who can assess you and prescribe medication to cope with cravings to gamble.
Online Therapy for Gambling Addiction
Online therapy works the same as in-person therapy. Online therapy can make it more convenient for you to meet with your therapist, which can be especially helpful if you have a busy schedule.
Find the Best Gambling Addiction Treatment
To find the best gambling therapy, make sure that you are working with someone who has a clear plan to help you overcome your challenges. The client-therapist relationship is crucial, so it’s important to choose someone you like and feel comfortable talking to. Consider whether you prefer virtual sessions or in-person meetings.
We offer both options and have locations in West Palm Beach and Miami. All our therapists use the Sovereign Body Method, which is a structured and effective approach to help you understand yourself, stop gambling, and become more self-directed in all areas of your life.
Gambling Addiction Therapy Duration
The length of gambling addiction depends on you and your therapist.
Some factors that may contribute to the amount of time therapy takes include:
- The severity of your gambling disorder
- Your goals
- Therapist recommendations
- Your motivation to change
- Support system
Being honest and willing to participate in your treatment will help your therapist create the appropriate treatment plan. This will also help you get the most out of therapy.
If you are struggling with gambling addiction, you are not alone. There is help available. Our therapists can help you overcome your addiction and get your life back on track. Contact us today to learn more about our gambling addiction therapy services in Brickell, Downtown Miami, and West Palm Beach.