Gambling Addiction:
You risk what you value when you gamble in the hopes of obtaining something even more valuable. Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the negative effects it has on your life. Gambling disorder involves repeated gambling behavior. Even when it results in severe issues, they will keep doing it. These actions cause issues for the person, their family, and society as a whole. Gambling addiction may overstimulate the brain’s reward system, similar to alcohol or drugs, which can lead to addiction.
If you have compulsive gambling, you may continually pursue bets that end in losses, spend savings, and create debt. You could try to disguise your actions, perhaps turning to theft or fraud to satisfy your addiction.
What are the Symptoms of Gambling Addiction?
Symptoms of gambling disorder may include:
- Having a gambling obsession, such as continually planning activities to increase one’s money
- Thinking about gambling frequently
- Having an intense craving for gambling
- Gambling with money or items you don’t own
- Needing to make bigger bets to achieve the thrill of excitement
- Irritable or restless when you try to cut down on gambling
- Gambling as a way to avoid problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, or guilt
- Trying to get back the lost money by gambling even more
- Gambling on despite the negative results on one’s income, career, or personal relationships
- Lying to hide one’s gambling habits
- Difficulty controlling gambling activity
- Risking or losing important relationships, a job, or work opportunities because of gambling
- Requesting financial help from others
What causes addiction to gambling?
Compulsive gambling can result from an uncontrolled craving for the pleasure or excitement of winning. There is no known cause for this disorder. The disease occasionally runs in families.
What complications are connected with gambling addiction?
People with compulsive gambling may face a variety of challenges if they do not seek therapy. The probability of suicide is the most hazardous consequence. Other adverse effects of the condition include:
- Significant financial or possessions loss
- Severe debt
- Legal issues or imprisonment
- Relationship Issues with family and friends
- Poor work performance or job loss
- Poor general health
What are the Risk Factors of Gambling Disorder?
The following risk factors are more frequently linked to compulsive gambling:
Concerns with mental health. Compulsive gamblers frequently struggle with substance abuse, personality disorders, depression, and/or anxiety. Additionally, attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and bipolar illness may also be associated with compulsive gambling (ADHD).
Age. Younger and middle-aged persons are more likely to suffer from compulsive gambling. The likelihood of developing compulsive gambling increases if a youngster or teenager gambles. However, compulsive gambling can also be an issue for older adults.
Influence from family or friends. The chances that you may develop a gambling issue are higher if members of your family or close friends do. Family relationships and friends have a significant impact on people throughout their lives.
Gender. Men are more likely to engage in compulsive gambling than women. Women tend to begin gambling later in life and may develop an addiction more quickly. However, the ways that men and women gamble are becoming increasingly similar.
Specific personality traits. You may be more likely to develop compulsive gambling if you are highly competitive, a workaholic, impulsive, and restless. People who get easily bored also have a chance to develop gambling disorders.
How is gambling addiction managed or treated?
Gambling affects people in different ways. For different people. different approaches may work better. Gambling problems are treated with a variety of therapy methods, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
People with compulsive gambling get an understanding of their reasons behind gambling through CBT. They can better control their gambling issues because of this understanding. Counselors also go over different approaches for problem-solving such as how to manage cravings to gamble, how to rebuild family and friendship bonds, how to maintain recovery, and other relevant monetary and personal difficulties.
How can Counseling be beneficial?
- Learn to manage your gambling
- Reconcile family relationship
- Deal the desire to gamble
- Deal with challenges and stress
- Spend your time doing something else
- Organize your finances
- Keep recovering and stay away from triggers
How may a gambling disorder be avoided?
Although there isn’t a proven solution to stop gambling disorder, educational initiatives that focus on targeted individuals and groups may be beneficial.
Consider avoiding gaming in any form, including people who gamble and as well as situations where gambling takes place if you have risk factors for compulsive gambling. To help stop gambling from getting worse, seek help as soon as a problem arises.
Gambling Disorder and Suicide Prevention:
Gamblers have a higher chance of taking their lives as there is an association between gambling and suicide. People who experience gambling-related harms are at higher risk of having suicidal thoughts, making suicide attempts, and committing death. It’s important to take any suicidal ideas or discussions related to it seriously.
Novus Beginning Psychiatry: Your Path to Health and Wellness Starts Here!
We understand that navigating the complexities of mental health can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. At Novus Beginning Psychiatry, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re seeking therapy, medication, or a combination of both, our compassionate professionals are dedicated to helping you find the path to a happier, healthier life.
Our highly skilled psychiatrists are experienced in a wide range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, ADHD, autism, different types of trauma, and more. We offer evidence-based therapies that have been proven effective in helping individuals overcome their challenges. From cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to couples/family therapy, we utilize the most up-to-date techniques to empower you on your healing journey.
We also recognize that medication is vital in managing certain psychological health conditions. Our team includes Dr. Nibras, who is a board-certified psychiatrist well-versed in medication management. He works closely with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan, as we believe in the power of personalized care.
So, take the first step towards a brighter future. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you in finding a convenient time to meet with our dedicated professionals. Call (832)856-4718 and let us help you take charge of your mental well-being.
Medication Management For Psychiatric Wellness
At Novus Beginning Psychiatry, we’re dedicated to helping you unlock the power of effective medication management. Our team of psychiatrists has years of experience and understands the importance of finding the right balance for your mental health journey. We offer personalized and compassionate care, creating medication plans that are tailored to your unique needs. Our understanding of psychopharmacology allows us to provide the most advanced and evidence-based treatments available.
Our goal is to help you by providing the right medications to enhance your therapy outcomes, reduce your symptoms, and improve your overall well-being. We want to be your trusted partner on the path to a brighter future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at Novus Beginning Psychiatry to experience the transformative effects of our comprehensive medication management approach.
Who is Dr. Nibras?
Dr. Sohail Nibras is a double board-certified psychiatrist in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. He completed his education at Saint Louis University and the American University of Integrative Science. He excels in treatments based on psychiatric care and therapeutic sessions and has experience treating dual psychiatric and substance use disorders. He is an assistant professor at the Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He serves as an attending psychiatrist at Texas Children’s Hospital. He trains future psychiatrists and engages in scholarly research projects.
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