Problematic gambling, also referred to as compulsive or pathologic gambling, can begin when there is a progression in the amount and/or frequency of the gambling, gambling becomes consuming of other aspects of life, the individual does not do it for recreation anymore but to fulfill a need, and the individual has to start lying about where they have been and what they have been doing. Action gamblers become addicted to the euphoria or high that they feel when they are performing well and other people at the casino are recognizing their success, while escape gamblers are seeking to numb or escape anxiety, depression, grief, or loss by disconnecting with the real world. Much like substance use disorder and sex addictions, problematic gambling provides a behavior for the individual to process their emotional traumas or anxieties.
Though most insurance companies do not recognize gambling addictions as something that their plans should cover, a significant portion of gambling addicts reach out for professional help at the urging of their family members, the criminal justice system, or out of sheer desperation. During this process, the counselor can help the individual process what benefits they feel that they gain from gambling and determine alternate ways to achieve these goals, such as coping skills, accountability relationships, or other resources available.
As Colleen mentioned, March is National Gambling Awareness Month, and the resources that she mentioned were www.gam-anon.org and www.ncpgambling.org, in addition to the gambling resources specific to your state.
Contact Information:
Colleen Koncilja LCSW, CADC, ICGC-II, BACC
Health and Healing Therapy
colleen@healthandhealingtherapy.com
www.healthandhealingtherapy.com
or
Renz Addiction Counseling Center
Resources and Links:
For those who struggle with a gambling disorder
Hotline/Helpline
National Problem Gambling Hotline: 1-888-522-4700
Directory of Certified Gambling Counselors: https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/counselor-directory-agreement/
Support Meetings
Gambler’s Anonymous: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
Gambler’s Anonymous Hotlines (listed by state): http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/hotlines
SMART Recovery (Self Management And Recovery Training): https://www.smartrecovery.org
Check out Episode 23 with Pete Finger on Smart Recovery: theaddictedmind.com/23
Refuge Recovery: https://www.refugerecovery.org
For family and friends of those who struggle with problem gambling
Directory of Certified Gambling Counselors: https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/counselor-directory-agreement/
Gam-Anon: https://www.gam-anon.org
SMART Recovery for families: https://www.smartrecovery.org/family/