Gambling – Different Forms and How to Deal With Them
There are several forms of gambling, and not just traditional casino games. The many different forms of gambling include betting on horses, scratch tickets, fantasy leagues, online poker, and DIY investing. While there is no one “right” way to gamble, most people find enjoyment in the activity. However, it can also be problematic for those who don’t have the financial skills necessary to participate in these activities. This article will discuss common forms of gambling and how to deal with them.
Pathological gambling
There is a lot of controversy over what constitutes pathological gambling. While the majority of people who gamble are not affected by it, the symptoms of this disorder are quite severe and a significant minority are affected by it. According to the DSM-IV, pathological gambling is defined as an addiction to gambling that disrupts a person’s social, occupational, and family life. However, pathological gambling is not the same as alcoholism, which is a mental disorder that affects a person’s social life.
Currently, there are several treatment options available for pathological gambling. The majority of them involve counseling, step-based programs, self-help and peer-support strategies. Medication is also an option. However, there is no known drug to treat pathological gambling. This has led to the development of a wide variety of treatments and methods, including a combination of both. While the effectiveness of these treatments is not yet clear, there is a need for more research to better understand which interventions are most effective.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options for gambling addiction. The American Psychiatric Association defines the addiction as “pathological” when it involves an uncontrollable desire to gamble. Inpatient rehab programs are designed for individuals with severe gambling addictions, and provide round-the-clock care and peer support. A combination of different types of therapy can be effective. Individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy are all common treatment options for gambling addiction.
Inpatient treatment involves undergoing a series of behavioral therapy sessions with a licensed clinician. These sessions typically involve cognitive behavioral therapy, which focuses on challenging harmful gambling thoughts. Some patients also participate in support groups, which follow a 12-step program similar to those used in AA or NA. Ultimately, the best treatment for gambling addiction will be individualized and tailored to the individual’s situation and desire for recovery. Further, specialized care is available to help individuals cope with the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of the condition.
Medications for addiction
A recent report highlights that there are some promising treatments for problem gambling, including medications for the disorder. These medications can also be used to treat co-occurring psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder or ADHD. Since addiction concerns encompass an individual’s life, the research is promising. However, more studies need to be conducted to determine their efficacy. In the meantime, these treatments may not be appropriate for everyone.
Currently, no specific pharmacotherapy is approved by the FDA to treat this disorder, but some drugs show promise. SSRRs (short-term, repeated-dose recurrence-recurrence-relapse-recurrence-recurrence) and naltrexone have been studied in clinical trials. These drugs have a high success rate of relieving symptoms and can help patients cope with the emotional impact of binge gambling.
Finding help for a loved one with a gambling problem
If your loved one is suffering from an addiction to gambling, you can help them get help by conducting an intervention. An intervention is a gentle, yet powerful confrontation, in which you explain how the problem has affected your loved one’s life and provide concrete examples of what needs to change. If you want to be successful, you may want to enlist the services of a licensed interventionist. When conducting an intervention, you will need to write down examples of the negative consequences and describe how the intervention will work for the addicted person.
Having a private conversation with the addicted person is vital for the recovery process. Make sure that you meet in a quiet place and discuss the specific behaviors that may indicate that a gambling problem is present. Do not attack or criticize the gambler, as this will only increase their feelings of anger and denial. Try to remain calm and supportive, remembering that the gambling problem is not your fault. You must take responsibility for helping your loved one overcome this addiction.