Gambling is a harmless form of entertainment for most people. The thought of being able to win large sums of money with minimal investment is exhilarating to think about. How life-changing would it be to be able to buy that vacation home you’ve always wanted or quit your job to be able to pursue your true passion? It’s ideas like these that compel people to make the occasional wager, but for others, the highs and lows of winning and losing become addictive, and can take a serious toll and threaten their health, relationships, and financial stability.
At Blair Wellness Group in Beverly Hills, we specialize in providing treatment and support to those who are struggling with a gambling addiction disorder. Addiction is a mental health condition that is difficult, if not impossible, to overcome on your own, but many people are either too embarrassed to ask for help, or skeptical about how a psychologist can help. Keep reading to learn why you should consider working with a psychologist and how they can help you achieve long-term success.
Identify Root Causes of Addiction
The specific cause of gambling addiction can be different for everyone, but both environmental and biological factors can influence its development. Similar to other forms of addiction, those who have a gambling addiction have altered brain chemistry that causes uncontrollable and compulsive urges to gamble despite negative consequences. However, environmental factors can also lead someone to turn to gambling to ease uncomfortable or distressing feelings of sadness or emptiness.
Because there are many potential causes for gambling addiction, and because many addicts aren’t even aware of the complexity of their condition, it can be more difficult to manage successfully without having identified the root causes. With a clearer understanding of how an addiction came to be, a psychologist can develop a relevant and effective treatment plan aimed at the pertinent issues and unique circumstances in a person’s life.
Identify Triggers
Every addict has triggers — those people, places, or feelings that compel them to want to engage in their addiction. Maybe you already know that you like to gamble to escape the realities of your stressful and unfulfilling job, but for many, they may continue to relapse in their journey toward recovery, while feeling helpless and without understanding why it keeps happening.
Learn Effective Coping Mechanisms
Managing and taking control of an addiction isn’t easy. There will be times when you feel especially vulnerable, or something sets you off and all you want to do is find solace in the one thing that helps you escape. For many people, treatment in and of itself is effective for helping people cope, but it’s not realistic to go to treatment every day, and urges have a way of returning when you least expect them.
A psychologist can show you healthy and effective coping mechanisms that you can use no matter the time of day, where you are, or what you’re doing. This is essential not only for managing immediate challenges, but it’s also necessary for long-term success.
Do you or someone you know want to gain freedom from a gambling addiction disorder? Contact Blair Wellness Group in Beverly Hills to make an appointment with a licensed clinical psychologist who can help.
