Gambling Addiction Treatment
1 million california residents are affected by a GAMBLING problem.
A gambling addiction, sometimes called gambling disorder or gambling problem, often involves persisting with maladaptive behavior despite the negative consequences.
Overview
A gambling addiction can involve a variety of different activities, including card games, sports events, and lotteries. Despite the wide range of gambling activities, each involves three elements – consideration, risk, and prize. These elements stimulate the reward system of your brain and alter your brain circuits in a way that can result in addiction.
Once you develop an addiction, it becomes extremely difficult to admit you have a problem. With that said, maintaining a gambling addiction poses its own difficulties, which may have a negative impact on your life, your friends and family’s lives, and your future.
Schedule YOUR Free Consultation
If you suffer from a gambling problem, help is available. Take the first step and schedule your free consultation today.
Signs of Gambling Addiction
There are several signs to keep an eye on if you suspect you may have a gambling addiction.
You lie to family, friends, and co-workers about gambling
You try to win back money you lost (chasing losses)
You borrow money during financial hardships caused by gambling
You increase your bets for the thrill
You think about gambling more often
You are not able to stop when you say you will
You become irritable, impatient, or tense if you do not gamble regularly
You gamble to reduce stress or temporarily escape problems
You turn to misdeeds or crime to obtain money to gamble
You prioritize time and money for gambling
If you identify with any one of these signs, you may want to consider the benefits of seeking gambling addiction treatment.
Gambling TRIGGERS
People developing gambling addictions for a variety or reasons. This makes it difficult to predict who’s gambling behavior will escalate from recreational gambling to problem gambling.
However, there are a few common triggers to consider:
Substance abuse
Depression or anxiety
Job or family-related stress
Loneliness
The influence of friends or acquaintances
Retirement
Debt and financial hardships
COMPLICATIONS
A gambling addiction can result in long-lasting consequences in your life. These are often profound, making it difficult to recover.
A few of the most common complications include the following:
Relationship problems or disintegration
Financial problems
Legal trouble
Imprisonment
Poor work performance and job loss
Poor mental and physical health
Suicide or suicidal thoughts
Gambling Addiction Treatment
Admitting you have a problem is not easy, but it is an essential step to your recovery.
If you need help discussing the topic, give me a call.
A trained professional offers a comfortable, judgment-free environment where we can openly explore this topic in private. If you find the initial discussion beneficial, you may want to continue and develop a strategy to ensure you have the resources needed to move forward on the road to recovery.
Complimentary Services
If you or a loved one needs help, you may be interested in learning more about the complementary services I offer through UCLA, the CalGETS program, and the Office of Problem Gambling.
The CalGETS outpatient program consists of licensed therapists with specialized training in the treatment of problem gamblers and their families.
Using the combination of state-provided treatment materials, skills and knowledge acquired from training, and techniques from my own clinical experience, I help problem gamblers and their families succeed in their recovery.
Free treatment is provided for up to 6 weeks, after which we can discuss developing a payment plan.
Start with A Free Consultation
I provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can discuss your concerns with your family or in private.
Questions & Answers
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding family therapy using the form below.