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Problem Gambling Treatment Plan

Disclaimer for Therapist CBT Manual: This Therapist Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) Manual is designed to assist problem and patho- logical gamblers in addressing negative consequences and issues that have occurred because of gambling. Compulsive gambling is a serious addiction that can cause severe consequences. A person who is a compulsive gambler can recover with treatment, but it’s hard sometimes for a person struggling with compulsive gambling to realize they need help. Gambling addiction treatment program options include other therapeutic methods as well. Psychotherapy, or the practice of dealing with gambling triggers through individual and group counseling sessions, can lead to many of the same results as cognitive behavioral therapy, including isolating causes and reversing misperceptions.

Is problem gambling a treatable addiction?

Problem gambling is a treatable disease. Like any other addiction, steps can be taken to break the hold gambling has over a person and the lives of their family. The first step is realizing that there is a problem and taking the step to access treatment. This is followed by sticking to the treatment plan and following through with action. The last step is developing a maintenance plan for success. Problem gamblers need to surround themselves with healthy support systems and develop healthy coping mechanisms that can assist them during times of great stress or turmoil.

Addiction Treatment Planner(Perkinson & Jongsma, 2006a, 2006b). The planner comes in two forms, as a book and as computer software. The book and software help you write your treatment plan with point-and-click simplic-ity and have been approved by all accrediting bodies. The treatment plan is built around the problems that the patient brings into. South Dakota Problem Gambling Resources in South Dakota. If gambling is causing a problem in your life we encourage you to ask questions, gather information and conduct research on the type of help that is most appropriate for your situation.

What help is available for problem gamblers and families?

The NCPGP helpline, texting and chatting online options connect a caller, self-identified gambler or concerned family member to a trained and licensed clinician.

The clinician will perform a screening and provide options on all free counseling services. NCPGP has more than 80 trained providers throughout the state of North Carolina available to provide face-to-face counseling for up to sessions at no cost.

If someone is not able to see a counselor face-to-face due to barriers such as transportation, the program offers a phone counseling program called Call 2 Change.

  • North Carolina Problem Gambling Helpline
    • Text morethanagamenc to 53342
  • Find help and support for friends and families of problem gamblers
  • Contact the NCPG Program Administrator at
    amanda.winters@dhhs.nc.gov

What do families need to know?

Gambling Disorder is considered a “hidden addiction” and may not be apparent at first. There is help and families are eligible for support, counseling and education.

Research supports that family members of individuals diagnosed with gambling disorder are likely to report mental health problems, emotional disturbances, physical health problems, high-risk drinking, decreased social support and impaired social life. The children of individuals with gambling disorder are also likely to report depression and gambling problems; it's important that families reach out for help for themselves and their children.

Financial counseling is important in order for families to take charge of finances during treatment.

Families should also be aware that there is a high rate of suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts among individuals diagnosed with gambling disorder. Click Here to Access the Suicide Prevention Helpline.

What do parents need to know?

Parents need to be aware that their children are gambling formally and informally with their friends and family on games of chance and skill. It is estimated that 93 percent of youth have access to the internet and 700,000 young adults gamble online monthly on more than 3,000 gambling websites. Even more importantly, the highest rates of problem gamblers are in their teens and 20s.

If the parent chooses to gamble, healthy social gambling behaviors need to be modeled. The best step a parent can take is to be actively involved in the child’s life. Make sure the child understands that gambling can become an addictive behavior by finding teachable moments to share information about problem gambling.

Click Here to Access Fact Sheet on Teens and College-Age Students.

Why get financial counseling?

While clinicians can help address the mental and psychological challenges from gambling addiction, financial counselors and other experts offer additional support for money management.

Financial counselors can help with debt consolidation, assist in obtaining lower interest rates, debt settlement, aid family members whose money may have been stolen, protect spouses by offering separate accounts, create budgets or engage a Power of Attorney (POA) to help a gambler control the disbursement of funds.

Ideally, financial counseling, when necessary, takes place at the same time as treatment for gambling addiction.

What is voluntary self-exclusion?

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Goals And Objectives

Self-exclusion (or self-banning) is a voluntary process where a person with a gambling problem excludes themselves from areas of specific gambling venues.

The North Carolina Education Lottery provides self-exclusion for lottery purchases at the pump or online. Contact Teri Riddle at 919-301-3304 or Teri.Riddle@lotterync.net for more information, or visit the links provided.

At Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel in western North Carolina, a problem gambler can make a request online to be self-excluded from the casino for periods of 1 year or 5 years. Problem gamblers may also self-exclude themselves permanently. The self-exclusion phone number is 1-800-694-9960 or email njsupport@HarrahsCasino.com for additional information. Also, please visit the link below:
www.harrahscasino.com/policies/responsiblegamingselfexclusion/

We’d all like to be rich. Playing the lottery or making an occasional trip to Las Vegas or some nearby casino allows us to indulge in the dream of being wealthy someday. Bright lights lure us in and sporadic gaming payouts tempt us into believing we might just hit it big. But, while it’s generally fine for most people to wager on games of chance once in a while, for those at risk of a gambling addiction, giving into the temptation may trigger a slide into a gambling problem.

Why do People Gamble?

People don’t usually gamble for one single reason, although the underlying motivation for gambling is typically profit based. The thought of seeing coins flowing out of a slot machine like an endless silver waterfall or the Hollywood movie scene of a casino piling stacks of money in front of a winner can move almost anyone to take a chance on gambling.

Aside from profit, however, people often gamble for:

  • Excitement – think about the thrill of the flashing lights and bells that go off when someone wins on a slot machine
  • Pleasure and the euphoria of winning every so often
  • Escape from troubles
  • Social valuation – even if they lose a lot of money, a person may feel that the act of gambling shows they are successful enough to be able to afford to lose it (even if that isn’t really true)
  • Pride – if someone wins a few hands of poker, they feel smart and invincible
  • The chance you could change your life with very little effort
  • Social acceptance – this applies to many games, ranging from playing bingo at church to joining in football pools with friends on Game Day

Pathological Gambling Risk Factors

Around 1 to 3 percent of people in the United States are impacted by a gambling problem. As with other addictions, gambling disorders tend to run in families. Those who suffer from this impulse-control disorder also tend to have issues with anxiety and depression and/or problems with substance abuse or alcoholism. The disorder symptoms may come and go, but without treatment, the problem will return.

A gambling addiction usually starts between the ages of 20 and 40 in females and in early adolescence in males, however it can happen at any stage of life. While it can affect anyone, the risk of compulsive gambling increases in those who are highly competitive, are workaholics, have a friend or family member with a gambling compulsion, or in those who have bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

Symptoms of a Gambling Addiction

In the same way as alcohol or drugs, gambling stimulates the brain’s reward center. Just like with any addiction, a person with a gambling disorder can’t resist gambling even if they don’t have the money to lose. They hide their need to gamble from family and friends and vehemently deny they have a problem. They feel compelled to keep playing in order to recover their losses. They also become tense and anxious when they can’t satisfy their urge to gamble and will feel relief when they finally get their “fix.”

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Template

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) defines a gambling disorder as involving “repeated problematic gambling behavior that causes significant problems or distress. It is also called gambling addiction or compulsive gambling.”

If family, friends, or coworkers have talked to you about your gambling, you may have a gambling problem. To help clarify if you may be a compulsive gambler, this list from the APA can help you decide:

A diagnosis of gambling disorder requires at least four of the following during the past year (Note: this questionnaire is not intended to replace professional diagnosis):

  1. Need to gamble with increasing amount of money to achieve the desired excitement
  2. Restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling
  3. Repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back on or stop gambling
  4. Frequent thoughts about gambling (such as reliving past gambling experiences, planning the next gambling venture, thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
  5. Often gambling when feeling distressed
  6. After losing money gambling, often returning to get even (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses)
  7. Lying to conceal gambling activity
  8. Jeopardizing or losing a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling
  9. Relying on others to help with money problems caused by gambling

Add up your score:

  • 4 to 5: Shows a mild gambling problem
  • 6 to 7: Points to a moderate gambling problem
  • 8 to 9: Indicates a severe gambling problem

Self-Help for Gambling Addiction

The biggest step toward recovery is acknowledging that you have a gambling problem. While it is difficult to quit gambling, many people have done so and were able to rebuild their lives. The path is easier when you have support.

Problem gambling treatment plan definition

Some self-help tips are:

  • Find a support group, like Gamblers Anonymous or get support from a mental health professional
  • Seek treatment for any underlying mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression, which can trigger a gambling problem
  • Reach out to family and friends for help
  • Practice relaxation techniques, such as yoga or mindfulness
  • Distract yourself by starting an exercise program or taking up a sport.
  • Spend time with non-gambling friends or take up a hobby. Be certain not to isolate yourself
  • Visualize what will happen if you gamble. How will you feel if you disappoint everyone again or if you lose all your money again?
  • If you are the family member or friend of a gambler, don’t pay off their debts. You run the very real risk of enabling them to gamble again.

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Definition

Help for Gambling Addiction

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Options

If you or a loved one need help to stop compulsive gambling, the mental health professionals at The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders in Delray Beach, Florida can help. For more information, contact us or call us today at 561-496-1094.