The Warning Signs of Gambling Addiction
Problem gambling is an impulse control disorder. While it’s easy to enjoy the occasional game of chance, once it becomes a habit, it may lead to gambling addiction. Here are some warning signs that you’re developing a gambling problem. You might feel the need to try your luck at the casino but are unable to stop yourself. If these signs are common in your life, it’s time to seek treatment. You might have an addiction to gambling that is worse than you realize.
Problem gambling is an impulse-control disorder
Pathological gambling is a mental illness that was first classified as an impulse-control disorder before being reclassified by the American Psychiatric Association in 2013. The condition shares many similarities with drug addiction, including its neurological basis. Problem gamblers typically develop a gambling addiction as a result of an intense desire to win. Some evidence suggests that some people are more vulnerable to the disorder than others. The disorder can lead to a range of adverse consequences.
It can be a hidden addiction
Although gambling is widely accepted in our culture, it is a relatively hidden addiction that is often overlooked in treatment and diagnosis. In the behavioral health field, the pathology of gambling was first recognized in 1980, when the American Psychiatric Association added the diagnosis of Pathological Gambling. However, it was considered an impulse control disorder until the DSM 5 edition moved it under the heading of Addiction and Related Disorders. A growing body of scientific literature now supports gambling as an addiction.
It can be treated
If you’re having problems with gambling, you may be wondering how it can be treated. The answer is that it can be treated the same way that other addictions are treated: with cognitive behavioral therapy. This type of therapy teaches people how to deal with problems and breaks larger ones into smaller ones. Gamblers who are unable to stop gambling can also benefit from support groups or self-help guides. In some cases, gambling addiction may be a symptom of a more serious disorder.
Signs of a problem
While there are no obvious signs of an addiction to gambling, there are some that are incredibly clear. Inability to stop or lie to yourself are two of the most common signs. If you see these symptoms in yourself, it is time to seek help. If you have a problem with gambling, it may be time to seek treatment. While this article outlines the symptoms of gambling addiction, you should not feel alone in your struggle. Hopefully, this article will help you recognize if you or someone you love has a problem.
Treatment options
A professional who specializes in treating gambling addiction can provide the necessary counseling to help a person overcome the disease. A gambling treatment program can be tailored to meet the individual’s needs and schedule. A weekend gambling treatment program can allow a person to continue their normal business while receiving professional gambling addiction treatment. Outpatient gambling addiction treatment programs can include a combination of group treatment such as Gamblers Anonymous meetings and individual therapy. The goal of these programs is to reduce the gambler’s dependence on gambling and help him or her recover as fully as possible.