Gambling addiction can grow unawares
With an alcohol or drug addiction it is reasonably obvious to those closest to us that we have a problem: they become aware of a change in us with the effects of alcohol or drugs on our body and emotions. This will usually lead to us being verbally challenged that we need to change by cutting back, stopping altogether or there could be an incident, such as losing a job or driving under the influence, because of our addiction or addictive behaviour.
However, it is different with a gambling addiction as there are no visible signs to others that there is an increasing problem. Certainly, they may pick up on an increasing level of rapid mood swings and depressive episodes but, if challenged, simple logical reasons for our change in behaviour can be found. Therefore, it is more than likely that someone with a gambling addiction will have been able to allow the addiction to go unchecked and questioned by others for some time, while their problems multiply and their life spirals out of control.
Recent increase in gambling addiction
There has been a very significant rise in the numbers of people with a gambling addiction over recent years. This is in direct line with the explosion of online gaming and the extent of advertising associated with gambling being allowed in all forms of media. It is only recently that restrictions on gambling advertising have been introduced which specify that gambling related ads are allowed but “they must be socially responsible, with particular regard to the need to protect children, young persons and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited.”
There seems to an assumed protection in the wording but the encouraging adverts still exist and there is an ability to gamble 24 hours a day 7 days a week from your smart phone or laptop. There are many inducements to gamble, for example online games advertising an up to £200 bonus and 20 wager free cash spins or, as another example, deposit £10 and get 150% bonus up to £150 plus 25 super spins.
Realising that help is needed for a gambling addiction
The odds of someone consistently making significant winnings from an online game are technically zero. However, anyone, and that can be of any age or gender, who has a gambling addiction or gambling disorder, has the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the negative financial consequences that impact on their life areas of work, relationships, health and social situation. The repeated pattern of betting continues despite the multiple problems it causes.
New findings show that problem gamblers are more likely to have thoughts of suicide and to have made a suicide attempt and the three specific areas that connect gambling and suicide are loneliness, shame and indebtedness. These factors explain why gamblers are unwilling to discuss the growing problem with others and to actually take the step of asking for help. In fact, gamblers share these feelings with other addicts in that they realise that the situation is worsening and there is now no fun or pleasure in the behaviour – and that change is needed in order to get well.
The need for residential gambling addiction treatment
Most hardened gamblers find it all but impossible to stop gambling or even cut back. Within the home environment there may be too many triggers and family members are unable to enforce restrictions 100%. Therefore despite many promises having been made, a relapse back into gambling happens quite quickly . The most successful way to break the addictive cycle is within a residential gambling addiction treatment centre or gambling rehab where there would be professional support and treatment.
Gambling rehab acts as “a first step on to a bridge towards normal living.” The usual residential gambling treatment period is for 28 days and the gambling treatment programme would then include 12 months of free ongoing support via one day a week of Aftercare that would either be at the gambling addictions unit or, if the person does not live locally, then via Zoom meetings.
What is good gambling addiction treatment?
Good residential gambling treatment should consist of a daily structured therapy programme. Ideally treatment should be based on the 12 Step Programme (originally devised as the foundation of Alcoholics Anonymous) which has been incorporated by Gamblers Anonymous. The 12 Step Programme has proven to be successful at helping all types of addicts start a new life free from their addictive thinking and behaviour.
For Gamblers Anonymous the first Step is “We admitted we were powerless over Gambling – that our lives had become unmanageable.” Gaining an understanding of the 12 Steps is important for long term recovery. During residential gambling treatment there will also be attendance at 12 Step support groups. This helps those with any form of addiction become familiar with the way the groups and the 12 Step Programme works and the benefits they offer. Once the 28 day gambling treatment programme has been completed, there will be ongoing attendance at Gamblers Anonymous. A local meeting can be found by inputting the appropriate post code into their website.
Preventing a gambling relapse following gambling rehab treatment
Residential gambling treatment will give the gambler and the people who love them hope that the addiction can be addressed. This, though, is just the start of the process. The gambler will be still very vulnerable in terms of relapsing back into old addictive behaviour. The new mindset needs to be of humility and not “well that’s all right I know what to do now”. Will power alone will not work. There should be no shame, for example, in having a mobile phone that is used just to make and receive phone calls and giving up use of a smart phone.
There also should be no shame, if anyone should ask, in admitting you have a gambling addiction and just want a normal phone. If recovery is not working, it is usually because the addict is not working a programme and is still reluctant to not only admit to having a problem but also to accept the problem and do something about it. Another reason for recovery not working is to believe that the addiction is cured. There is no ‘cure’ as such. ‘One last bet’ is not an option. It is also dangerous to try and convince loved ones that the addiction is no longer an issue and you don’t need to attend Aftercare or Gamblers Anonymous any more. If anyone thinks like this, a Relapse is inevitable. However, there is no need to Relapse but to stay well there needs to be total ongoing honesty so that any Relapse can be averted before it happens.
Anyone can Relapse, that is the easy part – though the consequences will be anything but easy. When you are in recovery hold onto it as it is priceless. Only you can get it and only you can give it away. Do not let it slip through your fingers for the nightmare to return.