Stop Gambling Addiction
While Intervention Specialists’ services are best known for the work we do with clients struggling with alcohol & drug addiction – about 10% of our intervention services involve addictions including gambling, food and/or cutting. Much of the actual intervention is nearly identical, however the leading centers for recovery from these addictions are specialized with a more singular focus.
As such, we work very closely with the intervention network as the recovery process begins to insure an available bed at the right facility. Simply put, the space for clients is more limited in these areas, requiring additional attention to intake coordination.
Based on statistics alone, across the board, the long-term success rates for those completing intensive in-patient vs. intensive out-patient are very similar. That said, there is solid rationale to choose in-patient for many addicted individuals, including getting the person away from the people, places and things they use around/over.
For those with a Gambling Addiction, we have found good success with several regional intensive out-patient programs. We look forward to speaking with you at length about these programs and the work that we do.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling may seem like a harmless gesture to pass the time, a quick thrill or an evening out. When gambling changes to a habit or feeling like it is a necessity, that’s when it’s time to seek help. Gambling addiction can be just as devastating as drug addiction, if not more. The wake that gambling addiction leaves behind can be stopped and damage can be repaired through gambling therapy.
The Warning Signs
A habitual gambler has distinct signs. They feel the need to take risks, much like an adrenaline junkie. They rehash stories of gambling like “the good old days”. The gambling addict tends to hide their gambling behavior. There are times where they will shirk responsibilities such as work, family and home in order to gamble. Depression can set in, especially when deprived of gambling or when they are on a losing streak. The inability to account for loss of money or excess of money is another sign. These are just a few symptoms and warning signs of a serious addiction. When these warning signs appear, it is time to seek gambling therapy.
Effects of Gambling
Unfortunately, like most addictions, gambling can take its’ toll on more than just the gambler. It can affect the family, job, reputation and more. When the addict gets into gambling large amounts this can lead to financial disaster for the gambler and their family. Addicts that seek short-term loans can put excessive financial pressure on the family. Addicts can lose their job over their habit. Reputations can be shattered as well. Just as a drug addict goes through mood swings, highs and lows, so does a gambling addict. These mood swings can be severe enough to disrupt the family unit. Suicide is often the end result to a gambling addiction.
Is It A Harmless Evening Out Or An Addiction?
When someone feels the need to gamble on a regular occasion, this can be the first signs that it is becoming an addiction. If a person feels the need to cut back on the amount of times and money they are gambling or stop gambling and cannot do so successfully, this has become serious. It becomes an addiction when someone seeks gambling on a regular basis to get their high or whatever excuse they use. Gambling becomes a matter of routine, just as having a morning cup of coffee or an evening walk can be routine. Having an evening out at a casino once in awhile is not the same as having an addiction to gambling.
What Causes An Addiction to Gambling?
There is no distinct reason one becomes an addict to gambling. Doctors are still torn as to whether gambling can be a genetic disorder passed on to family. Some behavior or environmental patters are passed on from one generation to another. Children grow up seeing their parents partake in certain events and they can easily learn to accept this as a normal and acceptable behavior. In that aspect, gambling can be caused by environmental learning. In some circumstances, children see the devastating effects of gambling and can learn to avoid it, too. One thing that doctors do agree on is the adrenaline an addict receives from the thrill of a gamble is the addictive portion of gambling. Adrenaline is extremely addicting. Once a person puts his family, life, job and finances in jeopardy for gambling, that is when it is classified as a dangerous addiction.
Overcoming A Gambling Addiction
The good news is there is help. The first step is to identify that there is an addiction. The very next step is to realize you need help. No addiction should ever be handled alone. Gambling counseling is a crucial piece to recovery. Addicts need the love, support and help of family and a good counselor while undergoing the recovery process. Gambling therapy includes counseling sessions for the addict and affected immediate family. It includes establishing a network of people that have an addict’s wellness in their best interest. With the combination of a good support network and gambling counseling the addict can stop gambling effectively once and for all.
Solutions to Stop Gambling
As previously mentioned, the best solution is counseling. In addition to counseling, books can be a huge help. Look into books on the subject. Some addicts require medications to assist with the lows and depression they experience. The bottom line is the solution lies in professional help.
As with any addiction, gambling can be very serious. The addiction can ruin marriages, homes, cause a person to lose their job, destroy images and reputations and can end in suicide. Gambling is a very serious addiction that should not be taken lightly. The adrenaline high a gambler gets can be so addictive and even harder to break.
I invite you to Contact Me and share the details of your current addiction. Whether you are reaching for yourself or a loved one, I can help you get pointed in the right direction. At the very least, How To Help The One You Love, provides links where you can get my newest book and educate yourself on the step-by-step approach to make the changes you came here to find.
As such, we work very closely with the intervention network as the recovery process begins to insure an available bed at the right facility. Simply put, the space for clients is more limited in these areas, requiring additional attention to intake coordination.
Based on statistics alone, across the board, the long-term success rates for those completing intensive in-patient vs. intensive out-patient are very similar. That said, there is solid rationale to choose in-patient for many addicted individuals, including getting the person away from the people, places and things they use around/over.
For those with a Gambling Addiction, we have found good success with several regional intensive out-patient programs. We look forward to speaking with you at length about these programs and the work that we do.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling may seem like a harmless gesture to pass the time, a quick thrill or an evening out. When gambling changes to a habit or feeling like it is a necessity, that’s when it’s time to seek help. Gambling addiction can be just as devastating as drug addiction, if not more. The wake that gambling addiction leaves behind can be stopped and damage can be repaired through gambling therapy.
The Warning Signs
A habitual gambler has distinct signs. They feel the need to take risks, much like an adrenaline junkie. They rehash stories of gambling like “the good old days”. The gambling addict tends to hide their gambling behavior. There are times where they will shirk responsibilities such as work, family and home in order to gamble. Depression can set in, especially when deprived of gambling or when they are on a losing streak. The inability to account for loss of money or excess of money is another sign. These are just a few symptoms and warning signs of a serious addiction. When these warning signs appear, it is time to seek gambling therapy.
Effects of Gambling
Unfortunately, like most addictions, gambling can take its’ toll on more than just the gambler. It can affect the family, job, reputation and more. When the addict gets into gambling large amounts this can lead to financial disaster for the gambler and their family. Addicts that seek short-term loans can put excessive financial pressure on the family. Addicts can lose their job over their habit. Reputations can be shattered as well. Just as a drug addict goes through mood swings, highs and lows, so does a gambling addict. These mood swings can be severe enough to disrupt the family unit. Suicide is often the end result to a gambling addiction.
Is It A Harmless Evening Out Or An Addiction?
When someone feels the need to gamble on a regular occasion, this can be the first signs that it is becoming an addiction. If a person feels the need to cut back on the amount of times and money they are gambling or stop gambling and cannot do so successfully, this has become serious. It becomes an addiction when someone seeks gambling on a regular basis to get their high or whatever excuse they use. Gambling becomes a matter of routine, just as having a morning cup of coffee or an evening walk can be routine. Having an evening out at a casino once in awhile is not the same as having an addiction to gambling.
What Causes An Addiction to Gambling?
There is no distinct reason one becomes an addict to gambling. Doctors are still torn as to whether gambling can be a genetic disorder passed on to family. Some behavior or environmental patters are passed on from one generation to another. Children grow up seeing their parents partake in certain events and they can easily learn to accept this as a normal and acceptable behavior. In that aspect, gambling can be caused by environmental learning. In some circumstances, children see the devastating effects of gambling and can learn to avoid it, too. One thing that doctors do agree on is the adrenaline an addict receives from the thrill of a gamble is the addictive portion of gambling. Adrenaline is extremely addicting. Once a person puts his family, life, job and finances in jeopardy for gambling, that is when it is classified as a dangerous addiction.
Overcoming A Gambling Addiction
The good news is there is help. The first step is to identify that there is an addiction. The very next step is to realize you need help. No addiction should ever be handled alone. Gambling counseling is a crucial piece to recovery. Addicts need the love, support and help of family and a good counselor while undergoing the recovery process. Gambling therapy includes counseling sessions for the addict and affected immediate family. It includes establishing a network of people that have an addict’s wellness in their best interest. With the combination of a good support network and gambling counseling the addict can stop gambling effectively once and for all.
Solutions to Stop Gambling
As previously mentioned, the best solution is counseling. In addition to counseling, books can be a huge help. Look into books on the subject. Some addicts require medications to assist with the lows and depression they experience. The bottom line is the solution lies in professional help.
As with any addiction, gambling can be very serious. The addiction can ruin marriages, homes, cause a person to lose their job, destroy images and reputations and can end in suicide. Gambling is a very serious addiction that should not be taken lightly. The adrenaline high a gambler gets can be so addictive and even harder to break.
I invite you to Contact Me and share the details of your current addiction. Whether you are reaching for yourself or a loved one, I can help you get pointed in the right direction. At the very least, How To Help The One You Love, provides links where you can get my newest book and educate yourself on the step-by-step approach to make the changes you came here to find.
