Gambling Addiction Treatment
Gambling addiction treatment is available in outpatient and inpatient settings. The
first gambling inpatient program, which started at a Brecksville, Ohio Veterans
Administration hospital in 1972, was modelled on a similar treatment program for
alcoholics and incorporated many of the same techniques (Kruedelbach, personal
communication to the committee, 1998). Typical treatments include group therapy
sessions led by recovered gamblers online gambling Malaysia, an emphasis on Gamblers Anonymous and
other 12-step meetings, an educational component about addiction, including
relapse prevention, and cognitive behavioral therapies.
A cognitive behavioural therapy approach (CBT) has been shown to be effective in
reducing pathological gambling and related problems online gambling Malaysia. The goal of CBT is to identify
and change the “cognitive distortions and errors” that underlie a pattern of
intemperate behaviour, such as gambling disorder. CBT studies of pathological
gambling have involved a range of strategies, such as workbook-based interventions
accompanied by planned support from a helpline specialist, clergy, community
health worker, or therapist; imaginal desensitization; and motivational
enhancement.
Several drugs are being investigated as treatment for gambling disorders, although
additional research is needed to establish their effectiveness. One example is a
monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as clomipramine, which is useful in treating
compulsive behaviors, including hoarding and social phobia. It is also being used for
impulsive control disorders, such as bipolar disorder, which can be associated with
gambling addiction.
There are also many other types of behavioral treatments for gambling disorders.
These involve teaching the client to use a variety of techniques, such as avoiding
situations that may trigger gambling urges, controlling money, and learning to
manage impulses. Behavioral therapy is often combined with family therapy, as
pathological gambling can have adverse effects on family relationships. A common
problem is that spouses and children are not able to forgive the gambler for financial
losses and other damage caused by the gambling activity.
It is important to remember that not everyone who has a gambling disorder will be
willing or ready to seek treatment. Those who are unable or unwilling to seek
treatment should be encouraged to do so, but they should not be punished. Family
members of those who are unable or unwilling to seek treatment can also receive
individual and family therapy, as well as assistance in finding resources for their
loved ones. The best way to find a suitable treatment option for someone with a
gambling problem is to get an evaluation and referral from a professional.