As the prevalence of gambling establishments continues to rise, there’s also an increase in the number of individuals succumbing to gambling addiction. While gambling might be a pleasurable and controlled activity for some, it becomes an addictive behavior for others. Those grappling with gambling addiction often engage in deceptive behavior, resort to borrowing money for gambling, use funds meant for bills to gamble, exceed planned betting amounts, and continue to gamble despite multiple losses. Consequently, it’s unsurprising that 3% to 6% of gamblers encounter develop a gambling habit. Thankfully, Seaside Palm Beach stands as one of the few gambling rehab centers in Florida that offers comprehensive care for recovery.
Effects of Gambling Addiction
Also referred to as compulsive gambling or pathological gambling, gambling addiction is a behavioral disorder characterized by a persistent and uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the repercussions it has on an individual’s life. This addiction is similar to substance use disorder, as it involves a loss of control in behavior, leading to adverse effects on areas of a person’s life.
People with gambling addictions may prioritize gambling above other responsibilities, including paying the bills, caring for loved ones, and their job. They may also experience withdrawal symptoms when they attempt to stop or reduce their gambling and exhibit a pattern of escalating bets to chase losses, among other symptoms.
Gambling addiction can result in a range of serious consequences that extend beyond financial implications. Negative effects of gambling may include:
- Compromised mental and emotional well-being, including anxiety and depression
- Failing relationships due to lying and deceit
- Financial instability leading to debt
- Legal issues due to engaging in illegal activities to fund gambling
- Loss of employment or diminished work performance
- An overall decline in quality of life
Additionally, the compulsion to gamble can consume significant amounts of time and energy, leading to neglect of personal responsibilities and interests. This behavior can also have a major impact on mental health.
Problem gamblers are six times more likely to attempt suicide than those afflicted with other addictions.1 Pathological gamblers often resort to desperate measures as their addiction progresses. In the advanced stages of their addiction, they may suffer legal consequences, lose jobs, lose friendships/relationships, and file bankruptcy, all of which may contribute to suicidality.
How Does Gambling Affect Your Brain?
Gambling can engage a variety of cognitive functions and neural networks in the brain, which can have a major impact. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to pleasure and reinforcement that is released in response to the thrill of risk and reward, resulting in a feeling of adrenaline and excitement. However, the compulsive nature of gambling, particularly in those who become addicted, can change the way the brain processes rewards. Desensitization to dopamine receptor stimulation may occur from continuous activation, necessitating higher stimulation levels to elicit the same pleasurable response. Furthermore, the brain’s stress response system may be triggered by the worry and tension brought on by gambling losses, which could result in higher cortisol levels. These physiological alterations have the potential to cause cognitive distortions, poor decision-making, and a higher propensity for addictive behaviors over time.
Our Gambling Addiction Rehab
Seaside Palm Beach extends compassionate and evidence-based care tailored to address gambling addiction. Our profound understanding of the harm that compulsive gambling can cause is the focus of our commitment to guiding individuals toward recovery.
Individuals undergoing care at our gambling addiction treatment center are equipped with the tools to combat this addiction. Our comprehensive program offers individual and group gambling addiction therapy within a structured environment to help them understand the source of their addiction, adopt healthy coping skills to replace gambling, and learn from others in the recovery community.
Our customized treatments for gambling addiction initiate the healing process, empowering clients to cope with life’s challenges without turning to gambling. While this may sound impossible to an individual amid a gambling addiction, recovery is possible.
We offer an array of psychotherapy services that are individualized to address the root causes of the client’s compulsive gambling habit. Patients in our gambling rehab program engage in daily group and individual therapy sessions facilitated by our certified therapists. Our treatment approach paves the way for clients to regain control over their lives and break the cycle of addiction.
Finding Gambling Addiction Treatment Near Me
If you or someone you care about is battling a gambling addiction, don’t wait to get help. Compulsive gambling can affect your children, spouse, job, finances, and more. We understand that the resources available for treating compulsive gambling are few, which is why we’re proud to be a rehab for gambling addiction that offers the essential treatments required for long-term recovery.
For more information about our addiction or mental health treatment in Palm Beach, contact Seaside Palm Beach today.
Source:
- The Guardian – Problem gamblers much more likely to attempt suicide – study
