Gambling addiction (gambling addiction, addiction to cheating, gambling) is a type of psychological addiction that manifests itself in an uncontrollable, irrepressible desire to participate in gambling. This emotional disorder eventually leads to depression.
With the development of civilization, electronics, and gambling, there are endless temptations, illusory ways to get rich quick. Many people began to look at gambling as a means of relieving stress and a chance to improve their financial situation. But without noticing it, they became hostages of the slot machines, they were dragged into a vicious circle, escape from which their own efforts extremely difficult.
In gambling addiction, as in any addiction, there are several stages. It all starts with the usual, seemingly harmless desire to play. But with time the player has a need to realize this desire more and more often. He does not yet subjectively feel the mental strain of playing, it still seems like a harmless activity.
Further it becomes more and more difficult to suppress the desire to play. There is an uncontrollable craving for the game, the player is unable to stop even after winning. As a result, all the money is lost, and only the lack of funds can temporarily stop the player. Despite the losses, he firmly believes in the fact that he will definitely win back, win a large sum – and therefore continues to play with increasing enthusiasm.
Treatment of gambling addiction – a complex and lengthy process. Huge work is carried out with the involvement of specialists in various fields, as well as instructors. All treatment is built around the patient and conducted on an outpatient basis. Application of different methods aimed at changing patient’s mind, changing his life priorities and getting rid of craving for games allows to reach the set therapeutic targets and completely deliver the patient from the gaming addiction.
Diagnostics of Game Addiction
As a rule gambling addiction is accompanied by the state of depression. There are cases when a patient is diagnosed with manic depressive psychosis (bipolar affective disorder). That is why for such patients the treatment will be aimed at overcoming not only the gambling addiction but also the accompanying disorders. Diagnosis of the physical condition is necessary to identify possible contraindications to certain medications that may be prescribed for the treatment of a mental disorder.
Treatment methods
1 Working with a psychotherapist
Psychotherapy is the main and indispensable method of treatment of game addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, repeatedly proved to be effective in the treatment of addictions in patients.
While working with psychotherapist (during the whole course) patient completely changes his mindset and more importantly his relationship to his problem. He becomes aware of how destructive influence game addiction has on his life.
If co-morbid psychiatric disorders, such as depression, are diagnosed, psychotherapy is initially aimed at getting rid of the whole complex of disorders.
2 Medication Support
There are no medications that treat directly for gambling addiction. But, as a rule, gambling addiction is accompanied by depressive states and increased anxiety. Therefore to relieve such symptoms prescribe antidepressants and drugs that increase mood.
3 The 12-step method
The 12-step program that the patient goes through is a very powerful tool for dealing with his problem. All of the steps are structured in such a way that the patient consistently changes his attitude toward the game – completely and completely. Together with other participants in the program, step by step, he receives new stimuli that help him cope with his strong addiction.
4 Working with an Instructor
Of course, the patient is no longer able to cope with this kind of addiction on his own. Therefore, in addition to the psychotherapist, experienced instructors are included in the work. Instructors are people who have successfully coped with their addiction and have undergone special professional training.
5 Family psychotherapy
While the patient was in the power of the addiction, in all probability, he had time to spoil relations in the family and with close people. At the same time, it has long been proven that support from relatives and mutual understanding in the family promotes faster recovery.
Old resentments are exhausted, conflict situations are resolved, and family relationships normalize. And faith in the fact that the patient will be able to get rid of their addiction, and a happy life in the family will be normalized, grows and strengthens against this background.
As a result
Game addiction treatment course is an effective complex of measures that with high probability will help to rid the addicted person of gambling addiction for the rest of his life.