Addiction
Gambling Addiction Counselling
Addiction Involving Gambling
Gambling Addiction (otherwise known as Addiction involving gambling) is Addiction that is manifested by a compulsion, craving, impaired control or lack of restraint in gambling despite it causing negative consequences to the person’s physical, mental, relational and financial well-being. Gambling Addiction may seem to exist in isolation or recognized to be happening along with other problematic behaviours, including substance use, sexual acting out, or more. With proper assessment and treatment, change and high quality of life are possible.
Symptoms of Addiction involving gambling can include an unmanageable relationship with:
- Internet gambling
- Casinos
- Unmanageability in life
- Slot machines
- Betting
- Lottery tickets
- Impulsive and/or compulsive decisions in investments
In the past 12 months have you:
- Have you had an overpowering feeling to gamble?
- Gambled more often or for longer periods than intended?
- Felt annoyed by others criticizing your gambling?
- Felt guilty about your gambling?
- Hid or lied about how much you gamble?
- Been unsuccessful to consistently abstain from gambling despite wanting to?
If you answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, it is likely that you are manifesting some symptoms of Addiction involving gambling and you may benefit from some professional support.
How we treat gambling addiction
At HUM, we provide outpatient assessment and continuing care for Addiction involving gambling that is more inclusive. Continuing care/treatment is tailored to your needs and based on the knowledge that Addiction is a primary, chronic brain disease and requires holistic recovery for health. Once a person is a patient at HUM, there is no end point to the services and individuals can access services indefinitely based on their needs. Continuing care/treatment includes a range of services to optimize health and wellbeing of individuals who have Addiction involving alcohol. Following the assessment, treatment options will vary but can include individual psychotherapy, group therapy, intensive outpatient program, medical detoxification/withdrawal management, and medication management. Social and peer support is important and participation in 12-step groups such as GA (Gamblers Anonymous) is encouraged. In addition, other recovery actions such as meditation and journaling are recommended as part of a holistic bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework of recovery.
Available Services For Gambling Addiction
If you are concerned about your relationship with gambling, it is recommended that you consider starting with HUM’s comprehensive assessment. The assessment includes 3 appointments and is designed to get to know you, the acuity of your issues and appropriate treatment recommendations. The 3 appointments include a nursing assessment, an assessment with a registered psychologist or social worker and a session with a medical doctor. Following this, treatment options will be provided that are based on your needs and current situation. Social and peer support in the community may be recommended as well as other aspects of a bio-psycho-social-spiritual framework of recovery.
At HUM, we use a range of techniques based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behavior change that are designed to improve the mental health of an individual,and improve relationships with others. Our goal is to provide an open, supportive, and confidential environment for you to address the issues that are concerning you. These principles can also be provided through couples/family sessions.
This provides the opportunity to clarify boundaries, identify what may be individual issues for people to work on, while addressing issues jointly without telling each other what to do.
the recovery support groups are process oriented therefore the structure of each group is fluid and reflective of the needs and current issues raised by group members. Group members have an opportunity to process their life issues and reflect on their recovery including successes and challenges they are facing. Group therapy allows individuals to discuss issues with the support of others in recovery, provide and offer feedback, build a recovery network and increase accountability.
The IOP is spread out over 3 Phases and 3 months with a weekend family/friends program included. The IOP is designed for those wanting more intensive treatment.
Health Upwardly Mobile (HUM) is a counselling and therapy provider based in Calgary. Our team includes a variety of healthcare providers including nurses, physicians, psychologists and social workers.
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