Gambling Disorders – What is Problem Gambling?
Problem gambling has physical, psychological, and social repercussions. It is classified as an impulse-control disorder. Problem gambling not only has negative consequences on one’s psychological health, but also can cause physical illnesses such as migraine, distress, and intestinal disorders. Eventually, gambling can lead to feelings of despondency, helplessness, and even attempted suicide. However, there are treatment options available to help individuals overcome their addiction. If you’re interested in learning more about gambling disorders, visit the links below.
Problem gambling
The term ‘problem gambling’ is often used to describe a person’s excessive or problematic behavior relating to gambling. This type of problem is often associated with a range of comorbid disorders, and will likely be defined according to the DSM-IV. Specifically, the criteria used to determine whether a person is suffering from problem gambling are based on the severity of the disorder. The following are some of the characteristics that make a person prone to problem gambling.
The treatment of problem gambling focuses on prevention, intervention, and recovery. Its components include prevention, treatment, and peer support. The University of Maryland has a Center for Excellence in Problem Gambling, which is responsible for research, outreach, and clinical training programs. While there are various ways to treat problem gambling, no single treatment is considered to be the best method. In fact, there are no FDA-approved medications to treat pathological gambling. Instead, there are a number of effective methods, including counseling.
Self-soothing
Self-soothing can take a variety of forms, depending on the type of behavior and the individual. Among the more escapist forms of self-soothing are illicit drugs, mindless Tiffany’s shopping, and triple-chocolate fudge cake. Others engage in sexual escapades or even take dangerous risks like X-sports. Even snorting cocaine produces a rush of dopamine.
Using gambling to self-soothe is a common human response to stressful situations. Usually, self-soothing involves creating a more pleasant mental state or distracting oneself from the distressful situation. Self-soothing may take the form of gambling, binge-watching TV, or excessive shopping. Although self-soothing is natural and healthy when done in moderation, excessive gambling is a sign of a serious gambling problem.
Treatment options
Although there are many options for treating gambling addiction, the prevalence of seeking treatment is low. In some cases, gamblers do not even know they need treatment. Others explore treatment options but eventually lose motivation to continue. In addition, GA and professional treatments have high dropout rates, which is not surprising given the nature of the problem. Most people are conflicted about seeking help for their gambling problem. Here are some treatment options that may be right for you.
Therapy is one of the most common treatment options for gambling addiction, and can be either an outpatient or inpatient program. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the most common form of therapy and aims to challenge harmful gambling thoughts and behaviors. Other treatment options include support groups, similar to AA and NA, which follow a 12-step process to overcome gambling addiction. However, if professional treatment is not possible, there are also some self-help intervention methods that may help you overcome your addiction.