Recognizing Gambling Addiction and Its Initial Treatment Steps Starts with Hearing Out and Understanding Addicts
Rewritten Article:
Gambling Addiction: Mirroring the Struggle with Substance Abuse
No matter the vice, addiction's grip is firm. For Dr. Jim Whelan, a professor and the executive director of the Tennessee Institute for Gambling Education and Research at the University of Memphis, this is painfully true for gambling addiction.
In his practice, Whelan listens to the personal tales of those battling gambling addiction, delving into their experiences, the thrill, the desperation, the highs and lows. Understanding each individual is crucial, as everyone grapples with addiction in their unique way.
March marks Problem Gambling Awareness Month. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, it's estimated that around 2.5 million American adults suffer from severe gambling problems, with additional 5 to 8 million experiencing mild to moderate problems.
Michelle Hatfield, Chief Clinical Officer at Kindbridge Behavioral Health, speaks of gambling addiction's impact on people, resembling those battling alcohol or drug addictions. "The self-destructive cravings, the feelings of tolerance, the need for more—it's all too familiar," she notes. The common denominator: the brain's reward system, which produces dopamine, plays a significant role in all three scenarios.
Unlike substance abuse, there's no physical substance associated with gambling. Instead, it's aBehavioral health experts classify gambling disorder as an addictive disorder, like substance use disorders, mainly due to shared symptoms such as loss of control and continued engagement despite harm[2][3].
As Whelan explains, people with gambling addiction develop a tolerance and, driven by the allure of rewards, find themselves gambling more often. If they cease, the urge to gamble intensifies, leading to consequences, even if not immediately apparent.
"They lie to everyone who matters," Whelan says, explaining the common ground between gambling and substance addictions. "They fail to regulate when harm occurs, and that failure to regulate is marked by a pattern of tolerance and difficulties withdrawing the behavior, despite the increasing harm."
Seeking treatment might lead to a period of uncertainty. Hatfield highlights multiple "touchpoints" before someone committed to the process. Once treatment commences, Hatfield employs several techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing to aid recovery[3][5].
Once Whelan understands a person's motivations for gambling, the next step is to assess the risk of self-harm. Although self-harm may not be overtly evident, the statistics are concerning: one-third of those reaching out have had thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or ending their lives[5].
Approximately 45% of those seeking treatment are casino-based players, while 50% are sports bettors[1]. Whelan explains that treatment focuses on the specific gambling behaviors and their impact on the individual's life, helping them understand and navigate their addiction.
Sometimes, it may feel like the scale is tipping, and Whelan wonders, "How did I gain weight?" But for someone struggling with gambling addiction, it's rather, "How did I lose perspective?" It's essential to remember the past, not just the wins, but also the losses. The same is true for someone experiencing gambling harm.
By listening, understanding, and capturing valuable insights, Whelan and others can help those struggling with gambling addiction navigate towards a healthier future.
- Dr. Jim Whelan, in his practice, delves into the experiences of those with gambling addiction, exploring the thrill, desperation, highs, and lows of the behavior, highlighting the importance of understanding each individual's unique struggle.
- Experts in health-and-wellness and mental-health classify gambling disorder as an addictive disorder, similar to substance use disorders, due to shared symptoms like loss of control and the inability to stop even when facing harm.
- As treatment for gambling addiction begins, mental health professionals like Michelle Hatfield employ various strategies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing, aimed at aiding recovery.
- Whelan emphasizes that people with gambling addiction often develop a tolerance and find themselves gambling more frequently, resulting in an urge to continue that intensifies if they cease gambling, potentially leading to self-harm such as thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
- In the realm of gambling addiction, treatment focuses on the specific gambling behaviors and their impact on the individual's life, helping them understand and navigate their addiction, much like therapies and treatments for substance abuse.
