Problem Gambling Treatment Plan

• What Is an Addiction Intervention?

• Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Template
• Problem Gambling Treatment Handouts
• Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Goals And Objectives

In the initial stages of treatment, detox may be required if the client has an active drug or alcohol problem as well as gambling addiction. South Dakota Problem Gambling Resources in South Dakota. If gambling is causing a problem in your life we encourage you to ask questions, gather information and conduct research on the type of help that is most appropriate for your situation.

It can also help in the development of an individualized treatment plan. Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention for Problem Gambling is a manual for an eight-session mindfulness group, aimed at people with gambling problems who want to add to their relapse prevention skills. Compulsive gambling is a serious addiction that can cause severe consequences. A person who is a compulsive gambler can recover with treatment, but it’s hard sometimes for a person struggling with compulsive gambling to realize they need help. Treatment for compulsive gambling may involve an outpatient program, inpatient program or a residential treatment program, depending on your needs and resources. Treatment for substance abuse, depression, anxiety or any other mental health disorder may be part of your treatment plan for compulsive gambling.

When gambling has progressed from purely social to problem gambling and on to pathological or compulsive gambling, there’s only one thing certain: the individual has a gambling addiction and needs help in order to overcome it. Addiction to gambling is similar in many respects to any other type of addiction – to alcohol, illicit drugs or prescription drugs used for nonmedical purposes for multiple co-occurring addictions – the addict continues with the addictive behavior despite all the negative physical, psychological, social and financial consequences. At the extreme, he or she gets to a point where they cannot stop gambling, they need to gamble, and they will risk everything in order to continue gambling. This process occurs over and over again until the addicted gambler ends up in jail, insane, or dead.

But there is hope for the compulsive gambler. The process is called gambling intervention.

What Is Gambling Intervention?

Similar to intervention for alcohol or drug addiction, gambling intervention is a process that brings together a professional interventionist and a “team” of family, friends and co-workers with the express purpose of confronting an individual about their compulsive gambling behavior and convincing him or her to seek treatment immediately. The intervention is conducted in a controlled and logical way, focusing attention on changing the addict’s behavior.

Gambling interventions work best when a professional interventionist facilitates the process, as the intervention itself can get very intense. Violent or explosive reactions on the part of the gambling addict may result, and are very difficult, if not impossible, for those present to handle on their own. That’s where the interventionist’s skills and expertise really come into play. He or she works to defuse the intense emotions and bring the situation back into control.

With the ultimate goal of getting the gambler to agree to go into treatment, all the arrangements for the treatment must be made prior to the actual day of the intervention. The reason for this is that a successful intervention concludes with the addict going off immediately into treatment – not the next day or next week, but that day. Once the gambler admits to having a problem and agrees to seek treatment, that’s the time to put the pre-planned admission into a gambling treatment program into action.

Expert interventionists know that you cannot convene an intervention and then not deliver on the promise to give hope to the problem gambler through a treatment program. Without a plan already set up, there’s nothing to prevent the addict from going right back to gambling.

What Happens In A Gambling Intervention?

Again, gambling intervention takes a page from interventions for drug and alcohol abuse. Since the premise behind the intervention is to make the addict aware of how much damage his or her actions have had on the various relationships – family, friends and co-workers – each individual participating in the intervention makes it clear how he or she has been personally affected by the gambler’s behavior. This often takes the form of reading from a letter the thoughts that the person has put together and practiced in a rehearsal the day before the actual intervention. Yes, there is a pre-intervention meeting of all the participants with the professional interventionist. During that meeting, the interventionist goes over the format and protocol for the intervention and each participant reads from his or her prepared letter in order to be prepared for the following day.

Besides explaining how the gambler’s behavior has affected them, each participant may also list specific incidents that highlight why the gambler needs treatment such as arrests, loss of a job, accidents, or family relationship breakdown. Often the family member, friend or workplace supervisor issue an ultimatum to the gambler. A boss may make returning to work conditional on the gambler’s receiving treatment. Family members or friends may make any future contact contingent on the gambler successfully completing treatment.

Make no mistake about it. Interventions are not easy to do. They’re emotionally exhausting, often eliciting very strong emotions on the part of the gambler and the participants. Team members must be prepared to convey their thoughts and any ultimatums in the kindest manner possible. Despite all the exhortations, screaming, denial and promises to quit from the gambler, the team members have to keep to their resolve. If the individual team members feel unable to deliver their ultimatum, the interventionist may deliver it for them.

Experts in interventions caution that young children should generally not be permitted to attend the session unless their contribution or presence is considered to be helpful to the gambling addict. This also applies to teenagers. As a practical matter, parents should be very careful about allowing any children to attend an intervention.

What Type Of Treatment Should Be Arranged?

This depends upon individual circumstances. The goal, remember, is to get the compulsive gambler into treatment. There are various treatment programs and help available to the gambling addict, including residential treatment, outpatient treatment, Gamblers Anonymous (GA), different therapy modalities or counseling or any combination of these.

Of all the treatment options, the one that works best is to remove the gambler from his or her environment, free of all the distractions and temptations and opportunity to gamble, and take them to a treatment center that specializes in treating compulsive gambling. Ideally this requires a facility that can provide a one-on-one approach that allows the gambler to dig deep into the root causes of his or her compulsion and to work toward learning new behaviors to overcome the addiction.

Since gambling affects many people beyond just the gambler, often the goal of the intervention is to get help for the family and concerned others as well. This may take the form of education, attendance at self-help groups, individual and/or group therapy or some other form of treatment that’s appropriate. Gam-Anon is one such group that offers support for family members and friends of compulsive gamblers.

After The Intervention

Once the compulsive gambler has gone off to treatment, participants in the intervention often feel an immense sense of relief. No, there’s no guarantee that the gambler will stay in treatment, or even fully commit to treatment, but there is one certainty: everyone’s addressed their concerns with the addict. There’s no more need for lies and deception. Now, everything’s out in the open relative to the individual’s addiction. Ultimatums may have been given that have some meaning to the addict.

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Template

• “If you don’t go into treatment, I will no longer have any contact with you.”

• “Either you accept treatment, or you no longer have a job.”

Problem Gambling Treatment Handouts

• “Although you’re my friend and I’d do anything for you, I won’t bail you out anymore. I’m not going to take your calls or see you if you don’t seek treatment.”

Family, friends and co-workers need to make plans for when the gambling addict returns from treatment. Just as an alcoholic cannot return to an environment where drinking occurs, or a drug addict can’t be around others who use drugs, the compulsive gambler can’t be exposed to gambling of any kind. This means no lotto, bingo, card playing – even for no wager – casinos, Internet gambling, sports or track betting.

Expect some difficult times, especially during periods of high stress or when something unexpected throws the recovering compulsive gambler for a loop. These may be financial, rejection by friends, family problems, physical or mental problems. The recovering compulsive gambler will continue to need your support during these situations. Encourage him or her to attend and participate in Gamblers Anonymous meetings. Make sure that you attend Gam-Anon or other support meetings yourself in order to better prepare you for how to deal with any crisis that occurs.

If Intervention Fails

It’s important to recognize that not everyone will be ready and able to accept that they need help. The compulsive gambler may not yet have hit bottom to the extent that he or she can even admit that they have a problem and need help. They may still be deluding themselves that they have everything under control, despite all the evidence to the contrary.

There isn’t much that you can do at this point. The compulsive gambler will sooner or later reach that lowest rung of hopelessness. Perhaps then they will accept an offer of help. Until that time, all anyone can do is to be ready to get the addict into treatment if and when the individual says yes.

How To Find A Gambling Treatment Facility

Resources are available to help you locate a treatment facility that can provide treatment for gambling addiction. One is the National Council on Problem Gambling, which also operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 1-800-522-4700. In the state of California, there’s the California Council on Problem Gaming, and the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, with information and links relative to problem gambling.

Get a referral to treatment facilities and then contact them to inquire about their gambling treatment programs. Many times, gambling addiction is a specialized track in the facility’s substance abuse treatment program. Make sure that the facility has nationally certified gambling counselors on its staff. If you are attempting to arrange a gambling intervention, be sure that the interventionist has expertise in conducting such interventions.

Above all, do gather as much information and educate yourself about all aspects of gambling addiction. This will prepare you for the hard work ahead, for the compulsive gambler and all those affected. The most important point to remember is that gambling addiction is treatable. You and your loved ones can be free of the negative consequences of compulsive gambling. There is hope – as long as the gambling addict seeks treatment.

Are you or a loved one dealing with a gambling problem? Explore the warning signs and symptoms and learn how to stop.

What is gambling addiction and problem gambling?

Gambling problems can happen to anyone from any walk of life. Your gambling goes from a fun, harmless diversion to an unhealthy obsession with serious consequences. Whether you bet on sports, scratch cards, roulette, poker, or slots—in a casino, at the track, or online—a gambling problem can strain your relationships, interfere with work, and lead to financial disaster. You may even do things you never thought you would, like running up huge debts or even stealing money to gamble.

Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you’re a compulsive gambler, you can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You’ll gamble whether you’re up or down, broke or flush, and you’ll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can’t afford to lose.

Of course, you can also have a gambling problem without being totally out of control. Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you’re preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem.

A gambling addiction or problem is often associated with other behavior or mood disorders. Many problem gamblers also suffer with substance abuse issues, unmanaged ADHD, stress, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. To overcome your gambling problems, you’ll also need to address these and any other underlying causes as well.

Although it may feel like you’re powerless to stop gambling, there are plenty of things you can do to overcome the problem, repair your relationships and finances, and finally regain control of your life.
The first step is to separate the myths from the facts about gambling problems:

Gambling addiction signs and symptoms

Gambling addiction is sometimes referred to as a “hidden illness” because there are no obvious physical signs or symptoms like there are in drug or alcohol addiction. Problem gamblers also typically deny or minimize the problem—even to themselves. However, you may have a gambling problem if you:

Feel the need to be secretive about your gambling. You might gamble in secret or lie about how much you gamble, feeling others won’t understand or that you will surprise them with a big win.

Have trouble controlling your gambling. Once you start gambling, can you walk away? Or are you compelled to gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, upping your bets in a bid to win lost money back?

Gamble even when you don’t have the money. You may gamble until you’ve spent your last dollar, and then move on to money you don’t have—money to pay bills, credit cards, or things for your children. You may feel pushed to borrow, sell, or even steal things for gambling money.

Have family and friends worried about you. Denial keeps problem gambling going. If friends and family are worried, listen to them carefully. It’s not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Many older gamblers are reluctant to reach out to their adult children if they’ve gambled away their inheritance, but it’s never too late to make changes for the better.

Self-help for gambling problems

The biggest step to overcoming a gambling addiction is realizing that you have a problem. It takes tremendous strength and courage to own up to this, especially if you have lost a lot of money and strained or broken relationships along the way. Don’t despair, and don’t try to go it alone. Many others have been in your shoes and have been able to break the habit and rebuild their lives. You can, too.

Learn to relieve unpleasant feelings in healthier ways. Do you gamble when you’re lonely or bored? Or after a stressful day at work or following an argument with your spouse? Gambling may be a way to self-soothe unpleasant emotions, unwind, or socialize. But there are healthier and more effective ways of managing your moods and relieving boredom, such as exercising, spending time with friends who don’t gamble, taking up new hobbies, or practicing relaxation techniques.

Strengthen your support network. It’s tough to battle any addiction without support, so reach out to friends and family. If your support network is limited, there are ways to make new friends without relying on visiting casinos or gambling online. Try reaching out to colleagues at work, joining a sports team or book club, enrolling in an education class, or volunteering for a good cause.

Join a peer support group. Gamblers Anonymous, for example, is a 12-step recovery program patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous. A key part of the program is finding a sponsor, a former gambler who has experience remaining free from addiction and can provide you invaluable guidance and support.

Seek help for underlying mood disorders.Depression, stress, substance abuse, or anxiety can both trigger gambling problems and be made worse by compulsive gambling. Even when gambling is no longer a part of your life, these problems will still remain, so it’s important to address them.

How to stop gambling for good

For many problem gamblers, it’s not quitting gambling that’s the biggest challenge, but rather staying in recovery—making a permanent commitment to stay away from gambling. The Internet has made gambling far more accessible and, therefore, harder for recovering addicts to avoid relapse. Online casinos and bookmakers are open all day, every day for anyone with a smartphone or access to a computer. But maintaining recovery from gambling addiction or problem gambling is still possible if you surround yourself with people to whom you’re accountable, avoid tempting environments and websites, give up control of your finances (at least at first), and find healthier activities to replace gambling in your life.

Problem Gambling Treatment Plan Goals And Objectives

Making healthier choices

One way to stop gambling is to remove the elements necessary for gambling to occur in your life and replace them with healthier choices. The four elements needed for gambling to continue are:

A decision: For gambling to happen, you need to make the decision to gamble. If you have an urge: stop what you are doing and call someone, think about the consequences to your actions, tell yourself to stop thinking about gambling, and find something else to do immediately.

Money: Gambling cannot occur without money. Get rid of your credit cards, let someone else be in charge of your money, have the bank make automatic payments for you, close online betting accounts, and keep only a limited amount of cash on you.

Time: Even online gambling cannot occur if you don’t have the time. Schedule enjoyable recreational time for yourself that has nothing to do with gambling. If you’re gambling on your smartphone, find other ways to fill the quiet moments during your day.

A game: Without a game or activity to bet on there is no opportunity to gamble. Don’t put yourself in tempting environments. Tell gambling establishments you frequent that you have a gambling problem and ask them to restrict you from entering. Remove gambling apps and block gambling sites on your smartphone and computer.

Finding alternatives to gambling

Maintaining recovery from gambling addiction depends a lot on finding alternative behaviors you can substitute for gambling. Some examples include:

Dealing with gambling cravings

Feeling the urge to gamble is normal, but as you build healthier choices and a strong support network, resisting cravings will become easier. When a gambling craving strikes:

Avoid isolation. Call a trusted family member, meet a friend for coffee, or go to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

Postpone gambling. Tell yourself that you’ll wait 5 minutes, fifteen minutes, or an hour. As you wait, the urge to gamble may pass or become weak enough to resist.

Visualize what will happen if you give in to the urge to gamble. Think about how you’ll feel after all your money is gone and you’ve disappointed yourself and your family again.

Distract yourself with another activity, such as going to the gym, watching a movie, or practicing a relaxation exercise for gambling cravings.

Coping with lapses

If you aren’t able to resist the gambling craving, don’t be too hard on yourself or use it as an excuse to give up. Overcoming a gambling addiction is a tough process. You may slip from time to time; the important thing is to learn from your mistakes and continue working towards recovery.

Gambling addiction treatment

Overcoming a gambling problem is never easy and seeking professional treatment doesn’t mean that you’re weak in some way or can’t handle your problems. But it’s important to remember that every gambler is unique so you need a recovery program tailored specifically to your needs and situation. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional about different treatment options, including:

Inpatient or residential treatment and rehab programs. These are aimed at those with severe gambling addiction who are unable to avoid gambling without round-the-clock support.

Treatment for underlying conditions contributing to your compulsive gambling, including substance abuse or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, or ADHD. This could include therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. Problem gambling can sometimes be a symptom of bipolar disorder, so your doctor or therapist may need to rule this out before making a diagnosis.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT for gambling addiction focuses on changing unhealthy gambling behaviors and thoughts, such as rationalizations and false beliefs. It can also teach you how to fight gambling urges and solve financial, work, and relationship problems caused by problem gambling. Therapy can provide you with the tools for coping with your addiction that will last a lifetime.

Family therapy and marriage, career, and credit counseling. These can help you work through the specific issues that have been created by your problem gambling and lay the foundation for repairing your relationships and finances.

How to help someone stop gambling

If your loved one has a gambling problem, you likely have many conflicting emotions. You may have spent a lot of time and energy trying to keep your loved one from gambling or having to cover for them. At the same time, you might be furious at your loved one for gambling again and tired of trying to keep up the charade. Your loved one may have borrowed or even stolen money with no way to pay it back. They may have sold family possessions or run up huge debts on joint credit cards.

While compulsive and problem gamblers need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling, the decision to quit has to be theirs. As much as you may want to, and as hard as it is seeing the effects, you cannot make someone stop gambling. However, you can encourage them to seek help, support them in their efforts, protect yourself, and take any talk of suicide seriously.

Preventing suicide in problem gamblers

When faced with the consequences of their actions, problem gamblers can suffer a crushing drop in self-esteem. This is one reason why there is a high rate of suicide among compulsive gamblers. If you suspect your loved one is feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the U.S. at 1-800-273-8255 or visit Befrienders Worldwide to find a suicide helpline in your country.

Four tips for family members:

1. Start by helping yourself. You have a right to protect yourself emotionally and financially. Don’t blame yourself for the gambler’s problems or let his or her addiction dominate your life. Ignoring your own needs can be a recipe for burnout.
2. Don’t go it alone. It can feel so overwhelming coping with a loved one’s gambling addiction that it may seem easier to rationalize their requests “this one last time.” Or you might feel ashamed, feeling like you are the only one who has problems like this. Reaching out for support will make you realize that many families have struggled with this problem.
3. Set boundaries in managing money. To ensure the gambler stays accountable and to prevent relapse, consider taking over the family finances. However, this does not mean you are responsible for micromanaging the problem gambler’s impulses to gamble. Your first responsibilities are to ensure that your own finances and credit are not at risk.
4. Consider how you will handle requests for money. Problem gamblers often become very good at asking for money, either directly or indirectly. They may use pleading, manipulation, or even threats to get it. It takes practice to ensure you are not enabling your loved one’s gambling addiction.