Gambling Addiction
For many gambling in moderation is a socially acceptable behaviour. However, if you have a problem with gambling it can cause severe problems in your personal and professional relationships. Learn how through counselling and psychotherapy you can turn your life around.
Counselling and Psychotherapy for Gambling Addiction
If you have a gambling addiction, you may feel an uncontrollable urge to bet on sports, gamble online, buy lottery tickets, visit casinos or play slot machines. The specific type of gambling and frequency of your gambling behaviour may vary, but it is likely that you will have an ability to fully control the urge to take part in gambling.
Even if it is clear that continuing to gamble will have a negative impact on your finances, personal relationships and maybe even lead to legal consequences, the urge will be too powerful to resist. If you have a gambling problem you will doubtless find yourself continuously stressing over money and may suffer from anxiety and bouts of depression. These emotional consequences are likely to be also having a negative effect on your relationships both at home and work.
Despite the inner turmoil, compulsive gamblers are unlikely to exhibit physical signs of their condition. The only true way to know if someone is addicted to gambling is if the person admits to themselves that they have a problem.
Many problem gamblers believe they still have the ability to stop at a time of their choosing, but this is not reality. For most gambling addicts, they need professional help to do it.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Gambling Addiction
People with addictions will often try to hide their condition, however when it comes to gambling addiction this can be very difficult to conceal. You may need regular access to casinos or online gambling websites. Even if you gamble at home when no one is around, your addiction will begin to show itself in other areas of your life.
If you have a gambling addiction, you may display some or all of the following behaviours:
- Obsessing over any type of gambling
- Failing to control your gambling
- Gambling to feel better about life
- Avoiding work or other commitments in order to gamble
- Neglecting bills and expenses and using the money instead for gambling
- Arguing with friends or family about the amount money you spend on gambling
- Selling possessions to gamble
- Stealing money to gamble
- Lying about your gambling habit
- Feeling guilty after a gambling session
- Taking bigger and bigger gambling risks
- Neglecting relationships or withdrawing from social activities
- Having frequent changes in mood
People with gambling addiction don’t always gamble on a regular basis. But when they do start gambling, they often find themselves unable to stop at a time of their choosing.
Donna Marie Thomas
Hello, my name is Donna, I am a qualified counsellor, psychotherapist, hypnotherapist and Registered Member of BACP based in Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
I have a passion for helping people to enjoy a happier, more fulfilling life via a person centred approach to therapy tailored to meet each individuals specific needs.
Get in touch to find out more or book an appointment with me today.
What Triggers Gambling Addiction?
For many people who develop an addiction to gambling start out as being responsible and dependable. However, there are some common factors which can cause changes in their behaviour including the following:
- Depression, anxiety or other emotional upheavals
- Feeling lonely
- Experiencing stress in the workplace
- Going through traumatic events
- Having other addictions
- Being influenced by other factors such as friends or the available opportunities
There are also people addicted to gambling who also struggle with drug or alcohol problems, possibly due to a predisposition to addiction or because of the negative feelings caused by their gambling addiction.
Counselling and Psychotherapy Options
Treating gambling addiction requires a unique approach and treatment plan for each person, which is why the multiple approach of psychotherapy and counselling is such an incredibly successful one.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) remains the primary form of therapy used in the treatment of gambling addiction. However, there are also other therapeutic methods that effectively address some of the potential underlying causes of the addiction.
The following are some of the most trusted treatments:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Mindfulness
- Schema therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
Benefits of a Personalised Relapse Prevention Plan for Problem Gambling
Breaking free from gambling addiction is a long-term journey, and it can be a life-long pursuit. After the initial recovery phase, it doesn’t mean that all the external and internal triggers have disappeared. Instead, this means that you now have to actively apply the tools you have learned in therapy to your daily life.
The key to recovery from problem gambling is to have a relapse prevention plan in place in order to help you build up your resilience to temptation.
Here are some of the benefits that a personalised relapse prevention plan can offer:
- Identification of triggers and warning signs
- Empowerment and ownership
- Improved coping skills
- Improved self-awareness and insight
- Resilience building and preparedness
- Support and accountability
How Innerworth Counselling Can Help
The recovery process for gambling addiction is a journey, and for many a lifetime commitment. There isn’t a quick fix or a magic bullet to treat it, however with counselling and therapy you will receive a safe, soothing and confidential space where you can begin to discuss and understand the root causes of your gambling addiction.
It is also a space where you can begin to explore the emotional aspects behind your gambling addiction and learn a range of techniques which will allow you over a period of time to emerge from the shadow of addiction.
Take the First Step Now
I offer private therapy, and take a person-centred approach, meaning that I’m non-judgemental, see clients as equals, and collaborate on your healing journey together.
If you feel you could benefit from therapy for gambling addiction, please book an initial consultation. You don’t have to prepare for this, just come as you are and we can look into how I might be able to help.
Additional Information
Here are some links that you may find helpful:
Gamblers Anonymous
GA offers various aids for the compulsive gambler including a helpline, forum, chat room, literature and most importantly a meeting finder.
www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you need a response immediately, it’s best to call them on: 116 123.
www.samaritans.org
Contact me today to book a confidential consulation
What My Clients Say
Jason Osborne
I shall be forever bewildered by the effectiveness of hypnotherapy. I had always remained sceptical until my very last session, then the “weight” that suddenly lifted was both physical and emotional and continues to benefit both myself and those around me three years on – thank you Donna.
Jason Osborne
Abigail Johnson
I’ve finally found a solution to my dependency on food. Your weight-loss therapy sessions have seriously transformed my life. Honestly, I could cry, I am so happy and feel like a totally new person, inside and out! Truly amazing Donna.
Abigail Johnson
Charlotte Dickinson
I went to see Donna because my anxiety and depression had spiralled out of control. I now have skills and techniques that I can use for the rest of my life to help me cope with any challenges. Thoroughly recommend psychotherapy from Innerworth Counselling. Donna is warm, professional and clearly passionate about what she does.