Cognitive-behavioural Therapy And Problem Gambling

• What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Problem Gambling Addiction
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research
• Internet Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Gambling is a very social activity much like having drinks with friends on the weekend.

However, also much like drinking, when some people start to gamble they can’t stop and when they want to quit gambling, they find that they can’t.

How our society views addiction has changed over the past 100 years. Although there is a strong stigma still attached to addiction, the medical field recognizes addiction as a disorder of the brain.

Within the literature, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) has been the most extensively studied and supported treatment for problem gambling (Gooding & Tarrier, 2009). Cognitive behavioural therapy programs for problem gambling often include motivational enhancement, behavioural and cognitive interventions, and relapse prevention knowledge.

The addict’s brain is unable to make rational decisions because part of the brain is affected by addictive behavior.

The past 100 years have also given birth to a multitude of 12-step fellowships for addictive behaviors.

Gambling Addiction: Signs, Symptoms and Rehab Treatment. Gambling addiction – also known as “problem” or “compulsive gambling” – is the condition of feeling compelled to gamble, and/or gamble excessive amounts, despite an awareness of the negative consequences of doing so and the desire to stop. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral group therapy, and a no-treatment control (wait-list) in the treatment of pathological gambling. This was done in a randomized controlled trial at an outpatient dependency clinic at Karolinska Institute (Stockholm, Sweden). Sean Sullivan PhD ABACUS Counselling Training & Supervision Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Gambling 2. You are a 16 year old youth still at school who has just met ‘the girl of your dreams’ and when you ask if she would like to go to a movie with you she laughs and says, after looking at you with seeming amusement finally says.

These fellowships have meetings that members attend regularly in order to help each other keep from going back to their addiction.

Here are 4 interesting facts about gambling addiction and recovery:

1 – The Need for More and More is a Strong Sign of Gambling Addiction

It is interesting that gambling addiction closely mimics substance abuse rather than obsessive-compulsive disorder.

One of the ways that these two addictions are similar is the need for more and more to get the desired effect.

When a cocaine addict is addicted, they usually have to increase the amount they use over a considerable amount of time in order to get the feeling they seek. What $20 worth of cocaine used to do now takes $80 worth.

With gambling addiction, there is a need to bet more and more money as the addiction progresses.

What seemed like big bets at the onset of the addiction are now relatively small compared to the size of the bet that the addict must make to continue to get the desired effect.

Both substance abusers and gambling addicts share a delusional perception about the current state of affairs.

In the grips of the addiction, the addict believes that they are completely in control.

They also minimize the seriousness of the problem and often refuse to look at the consequences of their actions.

When the addict tries to cut down or stop altogether, they are usually very restless and irritable.

This restlessness and irritation is only quelled by gambling again which releases the cycle all over again.

The Australian government defines the problem of addictive gambling as, “characterized by many difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent on gambling which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others, or for the community.”

2- Mental Health Disorders Contribute To Addictive Gambling Behavior

Addictive gambling usually doesn’t happen all by itself. There is an underlying condition or a co-occurring addiction that is going on when addictive gambling becomes evident as a serious problem in an individual.

Much research has been done on Narcissism Personality Disorder and Pathological Gambling.

There is a definite link between narcissism and problem gambling. Impulsivity and the need for sensation-seeking are both traits of narcissism.

With this in mind, it is easy to see how that could lead to problem gambling.

Narcissists also believe they are better at certain things than they actually are. So, narcissists may continue to gamble despite consequences because they actually think that they are really good despite evidence to the contrary.

Narcissists tend to display a lack of judgment in many areas of their life and tend to have the belief that they can control things such as the outcome of an event.

Many gambling addicts also have a substance abuse disorder. There could be an environmental factor to this as most casinos serve alcohol.

It can be common that someone who used to be addicted to alcohol but is now sober, can develop a gambling addiction even after sober from alcohol for several years.

When taking a closer look at addiction, there comes a lot of guilt and shame coming from the sufferer. The gambling addict may use drugs and alcohol to lessen those feelings after a bad night.

Gambling coupled with cocaine use is a common occurrence. The cocaine addict may try to supply their habit by gambling. This could occur as a scratch-off lottery ticket problem.

A cocaine addict may also have a delusional perspective of how well they do at the gaming tables.

There are also many illegal gaming rooms across North America and for various reasons this seems to attract methamphetamine abusers.

There are many compulsive behaviors that can emerge once someone gets high on methamphetamine, but the desire to gamble at an illegal gaming room seems to be one of the most common.

3 – Gamblers Anonymous Was Founded by a Member of Alcoholics Anonymous

Alcoholics Anonymous is the original 12 step program. From it have emerged numerous other fellowships that use the 12 steps as a means of recovery. Regular meeting attendance is a huge part of the recovery process.

In 1957, Gamblers Anonymous was founded by a gentleman by the name of Jim Willis.

He was a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and thought that the 12 steps could be applied to compulsive gambling as well.

The very first Gamblers Anonymous meeting took place in Los Angeles, California. There were 13 people present at that meeting.

Much like other 12 step fellowships, Gamblers Anonymous has 20 questions that an individual can answer to see if they think they have a problem with compulsive gambling.

Since Gamblers Anonymous is not a group of professionals, only an individual with the help of a doctor can diagnose themselves.

The American Psychiatric Association states that compulsive gambling includes the need to increase the amount of money bet, the need to borrow money in order to continue gambling, and keeping gambling a secret from family members and co-workers, among other behaviors.

Counseling is highly suggested as well as a means to help a gambling addict achieve recovery.

Just like in Alcoholics Anonymous, Gambler’s Anonymous has definite suggestions for the newcomer.

These include 90 meetings in 90 days, not going to gambling establishments, refrain from hanging out with people who are active gamblers, getting a sponsor to work the 12 steps with, and frequently calling other GA members when they are not at a meeting.

Like AL-Anon, there is also GAM-Anon that is for the people in the gambling addict’s life who have been gravely affected by their loved one’s gambling addiction.

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

4 – Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy is a Best Practice for Problem Gambling

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy has a lot of success with many compulsive behaviors.

The object is to use therapy sessions to rewire a patient’s brain so they react to situations differently.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Problem Gambling Addiction

This can help with how an individual deals with certain triggers that might set them off to return to the destructive behavior.

There are thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs that are considered ‘faulty’ in an individual who shows definite signs of problem gambling.

CBT has been shown not only to keep problem gamblers from the pitfalls of gambling, but it has helped problem gamblers gamble less.

A goal of CBT when it comes to problem gambling is to make the individual aware of their cognitive distortions or ‘faulty’ thinking.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Research

The individual will have delusional beliefs around their gambling activities.

CBT for problem gambling occurs mainly in a one-on-one setting. However, a therapist may hold group sessions for several problem gamblers and therapy can be applied in this setting as well.

Conclusion

If you or someone you know is showing signs of problem gambling then you should call the National Problem Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700.

You can get help 24/7 and the help you receive is confidential.

By calling this number, you can get in contact with many resources that can help anyone struggling with problem gambling.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), is a type of talking psychotherapy, originally pioneered in the 1960’s by a Psychiatrist for the treatment of Depression. It was identified that those suffering from Depression, experienced involuntary thought processes that fall into three main categories:

• Negative thoughts about themselves
• Negative thoughts about the world
• Negative thoughts about the future

Negative thoughts create negative emotions and render the individual powerless to pull him or herself out of the downward spiral of self destruction. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has since been evolved to successfully treat a number of different mental health conditions including Addiction, Anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.

Primrose Lodge offer all of our patients Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as part of our rehabilitation treatment programme. Our qualified Counsellors are proficient in delivering this highly successful therapeutic treatment methodology. By showing the individual how to change the way that they think and subsequently act, they are provided with a firm foundation to a long and lasting recovery.

How Does CBT Treat Addiction and Mood Disorders?

In order for an individual to fully recovery from any kind of addiction or mood disorder, their thinking must change. The crux of the problem with these disorders lies in the individual’s thinking and their false belief systems. CBT helps to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns through a process of challenging and suggestion by the therapist present. One theory is that those suffering from addiction and mood disorders feel emotions far more intensely than others; this can lead them to seeking methods of changing the way that they feel through chemicals and dysfunctional behaviours. This is only part of the bigger picture though, as we believe those who suffer, also have a physical and spiritual aspect to their illness. This is why our treatment programme contains different therapeutic elements, to ensure that each patient is treated fully and as whole.

Once an individual is able to see the truth, through the aid of CBT, they are then open to taking on a different perspective and approach, one that is far healthier and more rational. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy offers a solution-focused treatment that allows an individual to think and subsequently feel differently, without the need for chemicals, destructive behaviours or substances.

This hugely successful therapy can be delivered during individual therapy sessions as well as in group therapy sessions. It is extremely flexible and can be used to enhance a number of other treatment therapies also. For any individual experiencing difficulties in life, realising that they can change the way that they think and feel in response to that difficulty, provides huge relief and acceptance.

“Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” – Wayne W. Dyer

How Long Does CBT Take to Work?

CBT is a process not a quick fix. In our experience there is no quick fix to addiction or its common co-occurring mental health conditions. Recovery is an on-going process of change and growth. Primrose Lodge equip each patient with the tools needed to stay clean and sober and go on to rebuild their lives. CBT assists in setting the foundations for recovery by showing the individual what it is they need to change and how they can change it, starting with their thinking. Whilst in the treatment environment, each patient benefits from CBT, combined with other proven therapeutic elements. Primrose Lodge recommend a minimum of 4 weeks treatment; some patients need longer and we can accommodate this. Each individual responds at their own pace to CBT and the other therapies we have to offer. We therefore continually review each patient to ensure they are making satisfactory progress. If necessary our Counsellors will make adjustments to their treatment plan or recommend an extended stay. What we are aiming to provide is a long-term solution to a lifetime condition. No one is ever cured of addiction, but recovery can be found and the illness kept at bay. The only permanent relief we suggest for addiction is complete abstinence, but as a chronic relapsing brain condition, it is vital that the root causes are addressed in order for the individual to stay sober. By undergoing CBT therapy our patients have a better awareness and understanding of themselves. They are able to think with more clarity and apply reason and truth to their thoughts. This serves any recovering addict well, as their brain will always tell them “it wasn’t that bad” or “I will control it this time” or “one won’t hurt!” this is the kind of thinking that often precedes a relapse.

Full recovery from addiction is on going and laying the initial foundations takes time. We therefore encourage our patients to consider a length of stay that gives them the best opportunity to learn and adapt to using the new solution focused processes and way of thinking that we will show them whilst in our care.

The Power of CBT

For many years CBT has a proven track record in treating a number of psychological disorders. This proven Psychotherapy helps to arrest unhelpful thought patterns before they spin out of control. By applying the principles of CBT, patients will be able to see the truth behind their thinking; this will empower them with the choice to either follow through on a thought process or discard it in favour of something more helpful. False belief systems and distressing thought patterns are at the root of negative emotions such as anxiety, fear and anger. Of course sometimes these emotions are justified, but these are the common emotions that an addict will try to escape. In order for an individual to feel comfortable in themselves and their surroundings, their thinking needs to be rational. Once an individual has the ability to recognise the truth from the false, they are on a firm footing in their recovery. They will find themselves accepting things they thought they never would and be able to solve issues they once felt overwhelmed them. They will see themselves and the world with a truer perspective and be accountable for their own part in life.

What CBT Treats

CBT has been proven to be successful in treating all manner of addictions, mood related disorders and conditions. Here are just some of the conditions that we use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to treat:

• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Gambling addiction
• Sex addiction
• Eating Disorders
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Anxiety and Depression
• Co-dependency

Permanent recovery always starts with a solid foundation. CBT is a valuable treatment that assists in the process of change, which is why all of our Counsellors are fully trained and qualified in delivering this specific treatment methodology

Our CBT Programme

Internet Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

At Primrose Lodge we use CBT to treat our patients. CBT can be successfully delivered in a number of ways and combined with other powerful healing therapies. We use CBT continually throughout our programme, in individual sessions and also in group therapy. Our Counsellors use person-centred methods of treatment; this means we treat each individual as a whole. Our aim is to provide each individual with the tools that they need to live a happy and drug free life, long after they have left the treatment environment. For more information on our CBT programme, or any other aspect of our recovery programme, please call and talk to a member of our clinical team, who will be happy to assist you further.