Gambling Addiction Rehab – when it is time to go.

Reach out now, we can help
Home / Posts tagged "Gambling"

Gambling Addiction Rehab – when it is time to go.

15 October, 2021Articles, News

Gambling has the same physiological or hormonal effect on the brain as the use of drugs and alcohol. It begins with the surge of excitement in anticipation of the act, the extreme adrenaline rush that occurs when gambling and the unparalleled high of winning, followed by the compulsion to do it all over again. Gambling addiction, like drug and alcohol addiction, is a seriously devastating problem that has far-reaching consequences. These are a few of the warning signs of how to recognise when gamblers become gambling addicts and need gambling addiction rehab.

Compulsively Chasing Losses

Winning a game produces an exhilarating high for any gambler. The difference between periodic gamblers and gambling addicts, is that for the latter, that high is addictive. Gambling addicts will stop at nothing to achieve that first high again and again. On the other hand, losing produces a mental low that can feel like extreme disappointment and in some cases, depression. When this happens, most gamblers know when to stop. Gambling addicts however, find themselves unable to resist “chasing their losses”. In other words, they place even higher bets or cash in even more money in an attempt to win back the money they have lost. It is not uncommon for gambling addicts to max out multiple credit cards, pawn their valuables or even steal money to chase their losses, believing that “one more bet” or “one more hand” will see their luck restored. This behaviour leads to an inevitable and vicious downward spiral.

Mental and Emotional Instability

We see it in the movies all the time – heroin addicts withdrawing, writhing in pain, lashing out at those around them or being unable to get out of bed. What we don’t often see in the movies, is the way in which gambling addicts withdraw. In truth, withdrawal from gambling and withdrawal from drugs can look surprisingly similar. Gambling addicts who don’t get their fix can become extremely aggressive and unable to be in the presence of others. They can become visibly agitated and hostile towards those around them. Only a trip to the casino can abate what can accurately be described as a craving. For an addict in the grips of a gambling addiction, anything that stands in the way of them placing the next bet, becomes a threat that needs to be removed. Unfortunately, this can lead to strained relationships, emotional unavailability and in some cases, abuse.

Secretiveness

Gambling addiction may be difficult to spot at first, because gambling addicts may feel compelled to keep their behaviour a secret. They may feel deeply ashamed or embarrassed – deep down they may know that they have a problem but may be resistant to asking for help. Warning signs include dishonesty around their whereabouts or the inability to explain how they are spending their money. A common experience is that gambling addicts may be too afraid to explain why their money has run out, so they keep their gambling behaviour a secret, secretly dreaming of the day they can appease their loved ones with the surprise of a big win. Unfortunately, for gambling addicts that win is never big enough and a win always precedes another bet in the hopes of winning even bigger. The compulsion is all-consuming.

If you or a loved one is a gambler and needs to go to gambling addiction rehab, know that help is readily available. Contact us for a free consultation and we’ll support you in your recovery journey.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

RESOURCES

Helpguide.org

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
Left Arrow Right Arrow

Approved Medical Aids

Bestmed LogoBonitas LogoCAMAF LogoDiscovery Health LogoFedhealth LogoGovernment Employees Medical SchemeLiberty CorporateMedihelp Medical Scheme

Addiction – what does it mean ?

Reach out now, we can help
Home / Posts tagged "Gambling"

Addiction – what does it mean ?

06 October, 2021Articles, News

Addiction comes in many forms, alcohol and drug addiction being the most well-known. Alcohol and drug addiction are defined as the loss of control over the use of a substance. There are other ways of acting out in addiction that can be just as harmful to the person. Gambling, sex addiction, food addiction and other addictive behaviours are the equivalent of drug and alcohol addiction as they too result in a loss of control and powerlessness as well as loss of family support, financial insecurity, legal problems and health problems. These consequences, when they do occur, are very real and devastating to the addict and their families.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism is characterised by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol, binge drinking, blackouts and irresponsible behaviour when under the influence. Missing work, school or important occasions, social withdrawal and isolation are all symptoms of alcoholism.

http://www.aasouthafrica.org.za/

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is the compulsive use of a chemical substance despite the negative effects, health risks, loss of social standing, financial risks, risky behaviour, which may lead to an active engagement in criminal activities to support a drug habit. This may be followed by arrests and confinement in prison or institutions, loss of family and friends, social withdrawal and isolation. Commonly used drugs are heroin, cocaine, marijuana, crack cocaine, CAT, crystal methamphetamine or tik, prescription medication, GHB, ecstasy and LSD.

http://www.na.org.za/

Sex addiction

The term “sexual addiction” is used to describe the behaviour of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Sex and the thought of sex tend to dominate the sex addict’s thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.

Sex addicts engage in distorted thinking, often rationalising and justifying their behaviour and blaming others for problems. They generally deny they have a problem and make excuses for their actions.
Sex addiction is also associated with risk-taking. A person with an addiction to sex, engages in various forms of sexual activity, despite the potential for negative and/or dangerous consequences. In addition to damaging the addicts relationships and interfering with his or her work and social life, a sexual addiction also puts the person at risk for emotional and physical injury.

http://www.sexaa.org/
http://www.slaafws.org/

Gambling

Addictive Gambling is as destructive if not more so then any drug or alcohol addiction. Compulsive gamblers lie, steal and wreak havoc with their finances in order to get there “fix”. Unable to control themselves, they will gamble their life savings away and in the process, put tremendous strain on their relationships with friends and families. The next big win is always only one bet away and sadly never comes. There is no such thing as a big enough win for the addicted gambler to stop. Unfortunately this addiction does often not receive the attention it deserves and many gamblers may resort to suicide as the only way out of their addiction.

http://www.responsiblegambling.co.za/

Food addiction

Food addiction is a contemporary term used to describe a pathological disorder; the compulsive, excessive craving for and consumption of food. This condition is not only manifested by the abnormal intake of food, but the intake and craving for foods that are, in themselves, harmful to the individual. While society and the medical profession have readily understood alcoholism and drug abuse, it is only in recent years that there is an equal acceptance of the fact that persons may be addicted to food in the same way. When any substance is taken into the body regardless of its potential for harm or in excess of need, that substance is said to be abused. Individuals who abuse substances in such a way are addicts; these persons become physiologically and mentally dependent upon certain substances, in this case food.

http://www.foodaddicts.org/

If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment. Crossroads rehabilitation centres offer many options for recovery, including an outpatient programme. Contact us for advice on how to best proceed with your recovery. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
Left Arrow Right Arrow

Approved Medical Aids

Bestmed LogoBonitas LogoCAMAF LogoDiscovery Health LogoFedhealth LogoGovernment Employees Medical SchemeLiberty CorporateMedihelp Medical Scheme

Gambling Rehab – when a game is no longer a game.

Reach out now, we can help
Home / Posts tagged "Gambling"

Gambling Rehab – when a game is no longer a game.

20 August, 2021Articles, News

Compulsive gambling has been recognised as a definable behavioural disorder. It is a serious condition that can destroy lives. Although treating compulsive gambling can be challenging, many people who struggle with compulsive gambling have found help through professional treatment, mostly in an inpatient gambling rehab setting.

As gambling addiction has become recognised as a behavioural problem, and its prevalence has grown, so rehabs have introduced programmes to deal with this process addiction using similar approaches to handling any other addiction.

What is a gambling disorder?

“Unlike most casual gamblers who stop when losing or set a loss limit, people with a compulsive gambling problem are compelled to keep playing to recover their money — a pattern that becomes increasingly destructive over time”- Mayo Clinic.

A “compulsive, or pathological, problem gambler” are terms that have been used to describe an individual who is unable to manage or stop or control his or her impulses in terms of gambling. Gambling disorders can lead to serious emotional, financial, relationship and other social consequences if there is no intervention to arrest the problem.

Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol and this turns into addiction. If you have a problem with compulsive gambling, you may continually want to persist with the behaviour regardless of the outcome. Gamblers often take bets that lead to losses, hide their behaviour, deplete savings, accumulate debt, or even resort to theft or fraud to support their addiction.

It is apparent that people who suffer severely from the disorder are unable to stop by using their usual coping mechanisms and need the help of a certified and registered gambling rehab.

How do you know that you may have a problem with gambling disorder?
According to specialists in this area from the Mayo Clinic , if the following apply to you, you could be suffering from a gambling disorder and may need to consider entering a gambling rehab.

  • Being preoccupied with gambling, such as constantly planning how to get more money to gamble
  • Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill
  • Trying to control, cut back or stop gambling, without success
  • Feeling restless or irritable when you try to cut down on gambling
  • Gambling to escape problems or relieve feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression
  • Trying to get back lost money by gambling more (chasing losses)
  • Lying to family members or others to hide the extent of your gambling
  • Jeopardizing or losing important relationships, a job, or school or work opportunities because of gambling
  • Resorting to theft or fraud to get gambling money
  • Asking others to bail you out of financial trouble because you gambled money away


Compulsive gambling addiction is not related to morality or values issues- it is fraught with complex motivations and often related to trauma of some sort. It is also very much a systemic family disorder, or rather its consequences almost always impact the family system of the gambler. Compulsive gambling can have many consequences on financial resources and interpersonal relationships. Often the gambler is rejected by the people that he or she has hurt as a result of the behaviour and it becomes increasingly difficult for the person to find the support, they need in order to recover in the family context. Hence the need for a focussed gambling rehabilitation.

Gambling addiction requires a specialised, customised and holistic approach as the issues are specific and the risks of later relapse are just as high as any other form of addiction. Bearing this in mind there is a distinct focus on family dynamics during the treatment process.

It is often accompanied by cross addiction such as alcoholism, drug addiction or sex addiction.

The treatment modalities include :

  • Behaviour therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy may be helpful in the treatment of this disorder. “Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on identifying unhealthy, irrational and negative beliefs and replacing them with healthy, positive ones.”
  • Medications. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers may help problems that often go along with compulsive gambling — such as depression, OCD or ADHD.
  • Self-help groups. Some people find that talking with others who have a gambling problem may be a helpful part of treatment. Self-help groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous and other resources.
  • Lastly, and in many cases the most appropriate, is a 12-step oriented in-house treatment process.

Treatment approach often depends on the severity of the disorder.

Crossroads Recovery Centre has specialist staff and programmes that help to deal with these complex issues. Our process is a 12-step programme which is specifically focused on the problem of gambling. Family support is also an integral part of the treatment and Crossroads runs a family support group every second week to help the family members and loved ones going through the process.

Treatment for compulsive gambling may involve an outpatient programme or inpatient programme in a gambling rehab, depending on the severity needs and resources available. Treatment for substance abuse, depression, anxiety or any other mental health disorder may be part of your treatment plan for compulsive gambling.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an addiction to gambling – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
Left Arrow Right Arrow

Approved Medical Aids

Bestmed LogoBonitas LogoCAMAF LogoDiscovery Health LogoFedhealth LogoGovernment Employees Medical SchemeLiberty CorporateMedihelp Medical Scheme

Gambling Rehab -When to Seek it ?

Reach out now, we can help
Home / Posts tagged "Gambling"

Gambling Rehab -When to Seek it ?

05 May, 2021Articles, News


Seeking treatment and help for substance addiction is often a lot easier than seeking help for an addiction to gambling. The first step would be to accept that gambling is an addiction no different to other addictions such as alcoholism. Once this has been accepted, it follows that help may be sought out at a gambling rehab.


One of the primary reasons making it difficult to identify that gambling rehab is necessary is that substance addiction affects the body and has serious visible health consequences, whilst gambling addiction does not present itself with obvious effects on the body’s health, which makes admitting to having a gambling addiction even more difficult and entering a treatment facility challenges.

The simple explanation of addiction is:

Addiction disrupts regions of the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgment and memory. It damages various biological systems as well as families, relationships and careers.

Addiction is characterised by :

  • An inability to abstain from a substance or gambling.
  • Impairment in behavioural control, continual use of a substance or gambling regardless of consequences.
  • Craving or increased need for a substance or gambling.
  • Diminished recognition of significant problems relating to using or gambling behaviours and interpersonal relationships.
  • Dysfunctional emotional responses, relating to using or gambling behaviour.

Gambling addiction occurs when an individual becomes pathologically focused on pursuing rewards from engaging in the behaviour, whilst simultaneously being distressed by the consequences of repeatedly gambling. Often the individual struggles to refrain from gambling, experiences intense craving, has difficulty resisting and has minimal awareness of the problems and or consequences that arise as a result of their addiction, including loss of time and loss of the ability to prioritise other life functions and responsibilities. For someone with a gambling addiction, the feeling of gambling is equivalent to taking a drug or having a drink. At this point gambling rehab is needed.

Gambling behaviour alters the person’s mood and state of mind. It is difficult to seek help or treatment if you are not sure that there is a problem. Identifying your gambling addiction and understanding the consequences of it and deciding to seek help are the first steps to recovery and seeking treatment in a facility.

Similar to other behavioural or substance addictions, it has been found that compulsive gamblers respond positively to treatment which includes psychosocial support. Cognitive behavioural therapy has also been shown to be particularly effective in addressing gambling addictions, as it teaches relapse prevention skills and how to change behaviours and thinking around the addiction. 12 Step based treatment and behavioural modification which aims at addressing the symptoms and causes of the addiction often leads to total abstinence from gambling.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an addiction to gambling – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

Resources:

  • American Psychiatric Association www.mentalhelp.net
  • World Health Organization: ICD 10 classification of behavioral disorders (www.nlm.nih.gov)
  • Goodman A: Addiction definition and implications (www.researchgate.net)
  • American Society of Addiction Medicine policy (www.asam.org)

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
Left Arrow Right Arrow

Approved Medical Aids

Bestmed LogoBonitas LogoCAMAF LogoDiscovery Health LogoFedhealth LogoGovernment Employees Medical SchemeLiberty CorporateMedihelp Medical Scheme