Compulsive gambling 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. Gambling-Related Problems An Evidence-Based Treatment Guide for Clinicians David A. Korn University of Toronto Howard J. Shaffer Harvard Medical School, Division on Addictions Developed by the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling January, 2004.

• Compulsive Gambling Disorder Treatment Plan
• Compulsive Gambling Disorder Treatment Guidelines

Gambling, for some people, is a leisure activity that offers a night out on the town enjoying time with friends and family, with a distant possibility of winning money. For other people, the stakes are higher. After all, gambling is a $40 billion dollar industry in the United States. In Las Vegas alone—the unofficial gambling capital of the world—the casinos bring in over 10 billion dollars from people placing bets. Though many of those people only gamble once in awhile, there are people who make gambling the center of their universe. In other words, they are addicted to gambling.

The temptations to gamble are everywhere and you don’t need to be in a casino to try your luck. Every state in America, with the exception of Utah and Hawaii, offer some type of legalized gambling—from old-school slot machines to sports-betting apps and everything in between. The accessibility to gambling has only amplified with the Internet. Based on various surveys in recent years, it is estimated that two million people in the US are addicted to gambling. But that figure has the potential to increase at anytime, because those same surveys revealed as many as 20 million people noting that their gambling habit had begun to interfere with their work and social life. That type of behavior falls into the category of “compulsive gambling,” which is the stage before gambling addiction.

What is Compulsive Gambling?

“The shortest version is that compulsive gambling is, as its name implies, a compulsion,” says Lance Dodes, MD, author of THE HEART OF ADDICTION: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors. “Compulsive gambling leads to an addiction, which is a psychological symptom that is well-understood and treatable with psychotherapy oriented toward that understanding. It is not a biological, genetic or moral issue, and it is not fundamentally different from other compulsive behaviors or addictions.”

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Usually, people start out gambling for fun, and then they lose money they didn’t mean to, and they end up chasing that loss until all their money is gone. And in many cases, people are gambling because they have faced emotional and financial losses and they are trying to console themselves.

There is a misconception among many people that problem gambling, another term for gambling addiction, is not a big deal. “Most people don’t realize that problem gambling is a real disorder, just like alcohol or drug addiction,” says Shelia Moran, director of communications and marketing at First Choice Services, a nonprofit agency in West Virginia dedicated to mental health issues and problems. “They think it’s just a bad habit that can be easily ended. The good news is that we find most people who get treatment are able to successfully stop gambling.”

Gambling and Co-Existing Mental Health Conditions

Sadly, it is estimated that over 80% of people who suffer from some type of gambling addiction never seek treatment, no matter how bad their problem is. Other statistics reveal that while there are people who do seek treatment for their gambling addiction, over 70% end up returning to the world of betting. People with this type of disorder are more likely to suffer from other types of mental health and substance abuse issues. Many gamblers also have an alcohol disorder or addiction, and over half were nicotine dependent.

The emotional toll it takes on people is devastating, and in many cases a gambling addiction can also bring bouts of depression, and in extreme situations may lead to suicidal thoughts or tendencies. People with a gambling addiction are also prone to anxiety, high stress and extreme sadness. When a gambler loses everything, their life will suddenly become hopeless and they fear what the future might bring.

Gambling Addiction Symptoms and Signs

As with other addictions, there are warning signs to look out for. These include:

• Keeping gambling habits a secret
• Having trouble controlling their gambling habit
• Continuing to be involved with a gambling habit when they cannot financially afford to do so.
• Resorting to illegal activities to pay for their gambling habit

Physical symptoms of excessive gambling include problems sleeping, weight gain or loss, dark circles under the eyes and extreme headaches.

How can you tell if someone has a gambling disorder? The American Psychiatric Association has developed guidelines and says that a person requires at least four of the following issues to take place during the past year:

1. A person feels the need to gamble with an increasing amount of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
2. A person becomes angry, restless or irritable when someone tells them to cut back on their gambling, or to stop it altogether.
3. A person will have unsuccessfully tried to cut back or stop gambling on their own.
4. A person has frequent thoughts about gambling, including reliving past gambling adventures, planning their next gambling outing, and thinking of ways to get money to gamble with.
5. A person will often gamble when they are feeling distressed.
6. After a person loses money, they return to try and “get even” (referred to as “chasing” one’s losses)
7. A person will not hesitate to lie to hide their gambling activity.
8. A person will jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job or educational/career opportunity because of gambling.
9. A person will begin relying on others to help with money problems caused by their gambling habits.

Treatment Options for Gambling Addicts

If you suspect that someone in your life is addicted to gambling or a compulsive gambler, you should know that there is help. Here are treatment options to consider:

• “Behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy are recommended for compulsive gamblers,” says Katie Hurley, LCSW. “Behavioral therapy uses systematic exposure to the behavior to teach skills to reduce the urges, while cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying unhealthy and irrational thoughts and replacing them with positive/adaptive ones. Family therapy is another option,” Hurley explains.
• Apps can help instill healthy habits and encourage consideration of events and emotions that lead to compulsive behaviors. Addiction AVERT app can help curb cravings. BreakFree can help people who use their smartphones to gamble spend less time on their phone.
• Adaptive coping strategies like exercise, deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, mindfulness, and meditation are all positive options. There are even meditation apps that can help anyone who doesn’t know where to start.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, as of 2016, there are no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of gambling disorder. There is, however, emerging scientific research that has shown that medications can be effective in reducing the intensity of urges and cravings for gambling.

Finally, Gamblers Anonymous has been beneficial in the lives of people who have an addiction; however, they must first admit they have a problem, which is often times the most difficult thing to do. If someone is unable to find an accessible chapter of Gamblers Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous addresses many of the same behaviors.

Just as anyone can become addicted to gambling, anyone can stop.

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Behavioral Health Services

Referrals: 612-672-2736
Toll-free: 800-233-7503

Compulsive Gambling Program

• Video and telephone visits available
• Immediate openings and same-day visits
• Call 1-800-468-3120 to schedule

Compulsive Gambling is a progressive illness that is diagnosable and treatable. It can be as debilitating as alcoholism and drug addiction.
Often misdiagnosed, compulsive gamblers experience extreme euphoria and depression - depending on whether they are winning or losing. The suicide rate is four times higher in gamblers than non-gamblers.

How do I know if I’m a compulsive gambler?

Ask yourself these questions and then call us for an initial consultation:

1. Do I ever feel remorse after gambling?
2. Do I ever gamble to get money for paying debts or to otherwise solve financial difficulties?
3. After losing, do I feel I must return as soon as possible and win back my losses?
4. After I win, do I have a strong urge to return and win more?
5. Do I often gamble until my last dollar is gone?
6. Am I reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?
7. Do I ever gamble longer than I planned?
8. Have I ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance my gambling?
9. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within me an urge to gamble?
10. Do I ever consider self-destruction as a result of my gambling?

Three phases

The winning phase is characterized by occasional gambling with excitement prior to and during gambling. Gambling becomes more frequent withincreased amounts bet because of unreasonable optimism. An early big win is often the fuel that propels the illness in pursuit of “the action.”

The losing phase happens as gambling continues and the losses mount forcing the gambler to hide his gambling from others. Frequent loans from family, banks, credit cards and employers may be necessary during this phase. The gambler may go through personality changes - being irritable, restless and withdrawn.

In the desperation phase, the gambler becomes obsessed with gambling to cover debts and spends increased time and money on gambling. Increased blaming of problems on others results in desperate attempts to get out from under the weight of the debt. When all attempts fail, the gambler may contemplate or attempt suicide as a way out.

Assessment

We offer in depth gambling assessments conducted by state certified counselors who specialize in evaluation and treatment of compulsive gambling. The goal of the assessment is to help clients identify the extent of their gambling issues and to recommend appropriate therapeutic options. We also provide Rule 82 Court Ordered assessments.
Assessments can be scheduled at 612-672-2736.

Our program

A separate program, the Fairview Recovery Services Compulsive Gambling Phase 1 program meets days a week for 24 sessions. Participants meet with counselors one-to-one, talk with other gamblers in group therapy, attend lectures and view films. The concurrent Family Program enables family members to receive helpful information, as well as counseling, during the six-week program.
Our staff members are specially trained to help compulsive gamblers and their families. They include:

• Primary counselors
• Family specialists

Compulsive Gambling Disorder Treatment Plan

Phase II

Compulsive Gambling Disorder Treatment Guidelines

Our Phase II program begins immediately following primary treatment. It helps to ensure the success of stopping the gambling habit. Phase II Groups meet 2 days per week for 20 sessions and are led by a gambling-specific-trained counselor. Patients have the opportunity to continue into a Phase III program based on continued treatment needs.