November 2023 - My Recovery Source

At one time or another, you may have bet on a baseball game, played the lottery, or played the slot machine at a casino. Whether you won or lost money, you had fun and moved on from that experience. However, there may be times when the rush of winning big takes on a life of its own. If left unchecked, problem gambling negatively impacts your finances, work, family life, and mental health.

This article will discuss gambling addiction in-depth and the common signs that you may have a gambling problem. Most importantly, you will learn how to get help to overcome gambling addiction and reclaim your life. If you have a gambling problem, finding the right treatment program can be difficult. Fortunately, the professionals at My Recovery Source are here to help. We are the leading internet resource for locating the best evidence-based treatment programs that fit your needs. Call us today and let us help you conquer gambling addiction for good.

Defining Gambling Addiction

Problem gambling can affect anyone from any walk of life. It is defined as the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the negative consequences it has on your life. Also known as pathological gambling, gambling addiction is an impulse-control type of disorder. When addicted to gambling, you will do so no matter the consequences or can even afford to do so. Gambling stimulates the reward system in the brain to the safe effect as substances. When you compulsively gamble, you continue to bet and incur losses, use up savings and create debt, and can even turn to theft or fraud.

Despite what many believe, pathological gambling is not the result of one being weak or irresponsible. Many people who develop a gambling addiction are responsible people who may have encountered difficulties in life such as job loss or retirement. Also, people with unmanaged issues such as substance abuse, ADHD, or depression may be more vulnerable to developing a gambling addiction.

The Signs Of Gambling Addiction

Do you think you may have a problem with gambling? Mayo Clinic has outlined the most common signs of gambling addiction:

Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning gambling activities and how to get more gambling money
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill
Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling, without success
Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling
Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, or depression
Trying to get back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)
Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling
Risking or losing important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities because of gambling
Asking others to bail you out of financial trouble because you gambled the money away

Getting Help For Gambling Addiction

The main issue with gambling addiction isn’t stopping the behavior; it is ensuring that the behavior does not return. If you are looking for professional help, you need to find a mental health program that features therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). These programs also include 12-step support group help such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA) or similar groups.

Beyond treatment, there are things you can do on your own to minimize the risk of relapse. If you feel the urge to gamble, call a family member, or friend, or attend a support meeting. Find healthier activities to do such as working out, journaling, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy. It is wise to cancel online betting accounts and set up automatic payments for bills and other expenses with your bank. You may also find benefits in volunteering or mentoring others. If debts have piled up, you may want to seek the help of a credit counselor.

Find Evidence-Based Gambling Addiction Programs With Help From My Recovery Source

Looking for professional help with problem gambling can be an exhausting experience. Knowing what to look for and what questions to ask can make the process frustrating—and you may stop looking for treatment altogether. My Recovery Source is the #1 internet resource to find the quality treatment that will help you stop gambling. Our experienced team of placement professionals will work with you to find the perfect treatment program that will give you the tools and support you need right now.

Don’t wait another day to address your compulsive gambling problem; call My Recovery Source toll-free right now and overcome your gambling addiction for good.

gambling gambling addiction

Why Do People Relapse?

With all the hard work addicts put into treatment, you would think that many if not all find lasting recovery. While many who seek treatment do find significant sobriety, relapse is a normal part of the recovery process. It is estimated that the relapse rate among recovering addicts is between 40 to 60 percent depending on the substance. So why do people relapse even if they diligently work a recovery program?

One reason why people relapse is they expose themselves to the people, places, and things that are tied to their addiction. This can be old using friends, going into a bar, or going to a party where substance use is occurring. Another reason is unresolved mental health issues. Many addicts become hooked on substances because they have unresolved mental illnesses. If they are not dealt with through a specialized treatment program, a “flare-up” can trigger cravings which can lead people back to active drug use.

Additionally, people can relapse because they grow bored in their recovery. When people first experience lasting recovery, they both look and feel the best they have had in years. With these good feelings, they may feel they are “cured” of addiction and begin to slack off in working their program of recovery. No matter the reason, relapse can and often occurs in recovery. To get back on track, family therapy after relapse becomes crucial.

How Family Therapy Can Help After Relapse

When your loved one went through rehab for the first time, you know that family therapy was a crucial part of treatment. As a loved one re-enters treatment, family therapy is once again a vital component in your loved one’s recovery program. How family therapy can help after a relapse can be explained in three points:

Family therapy after relapse will prevent each family member from slipping back into the roles that caused a loved one’s addiction to blossom. When a loved one is addicted to drugs and alcohol, family members take on different roles. Some family members may engage in enabling behaviors while others may take on a caretaker role and others may feel they are the scapegoat. Family therapy helps each member see these dynamics and gives them the tools they need to minimize the negative impact of these dysfunctional roles.

Family therapy drives home the point that the addict must do the heavy lifting in their recovery. Experienced therapists point out the family plays an important supportive role in inspiring the addict to make changes but can’t work the addict’s program for them.

Family therapy helps each member realize the importance of self-care. Dealing with a loved one’s addiction is physically and psychologically taxing, and accumulating stress can result in poor health and even substance abuse. During family therapy, each member learns the importance of proper diet, restful sleep, exercise, and fun family activities that help the family grow stronger as a whole.

Get Your Loved One And Family The Help You Need Today

A loved one’s relapse can have devastating impacts on the family as a whole. It is important to find quality drug treatment as soon as possible. My Recovery Source is dedicated to helping you find the perfect drug treatment program for your family. We work with a vast network of evidence-based rehabs nationwide to help your loved one and family find health and happiness. Call us toll-free today.