Gambling addiction is a serious condition in which someone can become unable to stop themselves from engaging in excessive gambling. The urge to gamble causes an individual to constantly seek new thrills. It can lead to serious consequences on a person’s physical, social, and professional life. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available. This article explores several different treatment options for gambling addiction. Listed below are some of the most common. If you or someone you know suffers from this condition, seek help immediately.
Problem gambling
The goal of a problem gambling treatment is to decrease the frequency and severity of problem gambling by providing effective prevention and intervention strategies. Generally, such interventions include self-help and peer-support groups, as well as treatment and recovery resources. In the United States, the problem gambling center at the University of Maryland is responsible for developing and administering clinical training programs, public outreach, and research. The center provides resources for gambling problem patients, their families, and professionals.
A person’s family, work, community, and finances can be negatively impacted by problem gambling. Those affected by this disorder may have poor eating habits, strained relationships, and even alienation. The effects of problem gambling can also be devastating, causing people to fail to fulfill their commitments and promises. Fortunately, the recovery process for those who are struggling with problem gambling is possible. While a person may experience the withdrawal symptoms associated with cessation of gambling, underlying problems may also surface.
Pathological gambling
One of the consequences of pathological gambling is the accumulation of debt. In a single gambling session, pathological gamblers can destroy their financial portfolio. Some have lost their entire life savings in a single game. These consequences are especially relevant to the senior population. Younger gamblers, however, may find a way to stabilize their debt. However, it is not uncommon for pathological gamblers to face a difficult future.
The diagnosis of pathological gambling was introduced in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R). The DSM-III-R outlined criteria that were similar to those for substance use disorders. There are nine symptoms that define pathological gambling, with only four required for a proper diagnosis. These symptoms include preoccupation with gambling, increased spending, withdrawal symptoms when the gambler is not able to gamble, financial losses that continue to rise, and sacrificing important activities or obligations. The Workgroup proposed an alternative term, disordered gambling, to describe this syndrome.
Illegal gambling
Illegal gambling refers to activities that are considered “illegal” in most jurisdictions. While legalized gambling generally involves playing games, this practice may also involve illegal venues that lack government permission. These activities can include card games, video poker machines, or even simple games where the participants place bets with coins. Illegal gambling is distinct from games played among friends for money, such as social poker. Most countries consider any activity where money is exchanged for gambling to be illegal.
While illegal gambling is a federal crime, it is often prohibited as a business. While the Illegal Gambling Business Act makes it illegal to run or supervise an illegal gambling operation, the Travel Act prohibits the use of interstate commerce for gambling, such as shipping and transportation. Additionally, under Section 1084 of the U.S. Code, gambling businesses must comply with strict zoning requirements to protect the public from any harm from gambling.
Treatment for problem gambling
There are many different types of treatments for problem gambling. Most treatments are offered by non-specialized providers, while some may use a combination of both. For example, the American Academy of Health Care Providers in Addictive Disorders offers a credential for addiction specialists, while the National Council on Problem Gambling was founded in 1972 and began certifying problem gambling counselors in 1989. Another form of treatment is through the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board, affiliated with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. The ACGCB began offering this credential in 1993.
Psychodynamic and psychoanalytic treatments have not been proven to be effective, but they are two of the most common forms of treatment. They are based on the principle that all human behavior has a meaning and that even self-destructive behaviors can serve an adaptive purpose. Moreover, these treatments often believe that compulsive gambling is a symptom of an underlying psychological disorder and that abstinence is futile.