Gambling Rehabilitation – How does it work ?

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Gambling Rehabilitation – How does it work ?

16 April, 2021Articles, News

For many people, gambling is harmless fun, but it can become a problem. This type of compulsive behavior is often called “problem gambling.” If you feel you gamble more than you can afford to lose, you’ve actually already reached the first step: it is not to deny the problem but admit it- you may need gambling rehabilitation.

A gambling addiction is a progressive addiction that can have many negative psychological, physical, and social repercussions. It is classed as an impulse-control disorder. People who live with this addiction may experience depression, distress, and other anxiety-related problems. As with other addictions, the consequences of gambling can lead to feelings of despondency and helplessness. In some cases, this may even lead to suicide attempts.

The rate of problematic gambling has risen globally over the last few years. In the United States in 2012, around 5.77 million people had a gambling disorder for which they sought gambling rehabilitation.

The American Psychiatric Association identifies gambling as a mental health disorder similar to being addicted to alcohol, sex, food or substances. Gambling stimulates the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol do in an addicts brain. You might have a gambling disorder if you have:

  • A powerful need to gamble with larger amounts of money
  • Feelings of restlessness or irritability when not gambling
  • Made repeated and unsuccessful attempts to quit gambling
  • Found yourself completely preoccupied with gambling
  • Noticed you gamble to manage stress
  • Continued to gamble in order to “get even”
  • Lied to friends, co-workers and loved ones about gambling
  • Lost relationships or created conflict about gambling
  • Needed financial support

If your gambling is severe, consider seeking professional help as soon as possible. Professional treatment from a mental health or addiction specialist could be the difference between a life of financial uncertainty versus living in financial stability. An addiction to gambling does not only affect your finances – it affects your relationships and your mental well-being.

Gambling addicts are addicts for life, the 12 steps work to induce remission, but a gambling addict may never wager again. Only through a committed and purposeful working of the steps in daily life, can an addict achieve remission.

The 12 steps is the most effective way to overcome a compulsion to gamble. Addicts in recovery must work all of the steps and must work the steps on a daily and continuing basis, forever. There is no cure, only a remission. The only thing holding you back is your reluctance.

If you or a loved one needs assistance with an addiction to gambling – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

References:

https://www.quora.com/Can-compulsive-gambling-be-cured

https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/process-addiction/compulsive-gambling/related/how-to-stop-gambling/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/15929

https://www.choosehelp.com/topics/gambling-addiction/gamblers-anonymous-12-steps-of-recovery.html

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Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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Substance Induced Psychosis

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Home / Posts tagged "12 Steps" (Page 8)

Substance Induced Psychosis

02 April, 2021Articles, News

Psychosis is generally a symptom associated with schizophrenia. During a psychotic episode an individual experiences a disconnect from reality, the individual experiences hallucinations and/or delusions and are unable to distinguish between the hallucinations/delusions and reality. During these episodes there is a high risk of the individuals lashing out, hurting themselves or hurting others.

Substance-Induced Psychosis (SIP) or Toxic Psychosis is a result of Substance abuse/use. These can be legal or illegal substances. An individual has been abusing a certain substance, had a severe reaction to mixing substances or is withdrawing from a drug. These episodes are treatable and in most cases they are reversible. The duration of a Toxic Psychosis is anywhere between a few hours to a month.

Common drugs related to Toxic Psychosis:

Alcohol – occurs through chronic alcoholism or withdrawal
Marijuana
Hallucinogens – LSD, psychotropic mushrooms
MDMA
Benzodiazepines
Amphetamines
Cocaine

Symptoms of Toxic Psychosis:

There is an inability to discern reality from delusion; the delusions associated with SIP are usually false ideas based on fear and suspicion, for example, a person or organisation plotting to cause harm to the user.

Other manifestations include hallucinations – visual and haptic, disorientation, disorganised thought processes, anxiety, difficulty concentrating and difficulty communicating.

Managing Substance-Induced Psychosis:

In most cases of Toxic Psychosis, the symptoms do lift over time, but the condition is a serious one and often immediate medical attention is required. There have been cases where individuals have attempted to kill themselves while in a state of psychosis.

An effective treatment plan is important when dealing with Toxic Psychosis. The first obvious step is for the individual to stop taking the substance which caused the condition. Once the detox is complete the initial symptoms will lift. It is imperative that detox and a full in-patient treatment be completed as relapse and a return to psychosis is very possible without the help of an in-patient treatment program. In-patient treatment involves therapy, group sessions and an introduction to support groups. All of this ensures an individual is able to learn the necessary skills to enjoy a drug-free life.

If you or a loved one is possibly in a state of toxic psychosis – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

References:

https://americanaddictioncenters.org/co-occurring-disorders/drug-psychosis-comorbidity

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Substance-induced_psychosis

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/248159.php

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Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
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Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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Anxious About Going to a Rehabilitation Centre ?

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Home / Posts tagged "12 Steps" (Page 8)

Anxious About Going to a Rehabilitation Centre ?

31 March, 2021Articles, News

Entering a rehabilitation centre is a daunting prospect for any person. People are usually unsure what to expect and this uncertainty may cause a lot of anxiety and stress. This blog aims to alleviate some of that stress.

Potential clients are often concerned about what types of people they may encounter in a rehabilitation centre. Addiction and alcoholism do not discriminate, and as such the variety of people you may see in a rehabilitation centre are different and varied. Senior citizens are admitted alongside high school students. Some people may take longer to realise they have a problem, or may take longer to reach a point where they are ready to accept help. One thing to note, Crossroads
Recovery Centre, like many rehabilitation centres, can only admit clients over the age of 18. If you are seeking help for a minor, our team can help refer you to an appropriate rehabilitation centre. Many rehabilitation centres are co-ed, though men usually make up more of the population. Research suggests that men are more likely to develop substance use disorder and that this is the reason for the lopsided population, although there are many socio-economic factors to consider as well as to why more men seek treatment than women. Men and women receive treatment in the same groups and in much the same manner, but most rehabilitation centres do offer therapeutic groups and interventions that are gender-specific, though this does not make up the majority of therapeutic activities.

As mental health care has become more accessible to a wider variety of people within the South African context, the cultural diversity with rehabilitation centres has shifted to represent a spectrum of cultural backgrounds and ethnicities. Addiction does not discriminate, and as such neither do the rehabilitation. In a rehabilitation centre, people from wildly different backgrounds can be seen working alongside each other solving their common problem, the unification under a common cause is truly beautiful to see.

Lastly, we want to address what bring people to treatment centres, we have established that there is a wide range of people in rehabilitation centres, and their reasons for admittance are just as varied. At Crossroads Recovery Centre, we treat alcoholism, drug addiction, food addiction, gambling addiction, sex, and porn addiction. In terms of drugs, many rehabilitation centres will see a spectrum of clients with addictions as diverse as there are drugs. Though there are trends as to which drugs are more widely abused at any given time, there is never just “one type of addict”. Many people have the fear that when they arrive at a rehabilitation centre that they will be alone, that they will be the only person there who is like them. That no one else will understand or be able to empathise with them. This is both correct, and incorrect. No two people in any rehabilitation centre are completely alike, and no two people have zero in common. Though the details may differ there is common ground to be found between all people seeking freedom from addiction. Don’t let the differences intimidate you. Embrace them as an avenue to learn more about yourself and the world around you.

If you or a loved one need rehabilitation from addiction – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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WHAT IS GAMBLING ADDICTION?

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Home / Posts tagged "12 Steps" (Page 8)

WHAT IS GAMBLING ADDICTION?

23 March, 2021Articles, News

Gambling in and of itself is not necessarily a problem. Like drinking alcohol, gambling in moderation does not lead to addiction for most people. It becomes an issue when someone feels compelled to gamble despite any consequences. The condition can be difficult to manage due to the accessibility of gambling, particularly online gambling. Although some gamblers prefer one method over another, all types can be addictive. Research shows gambling and drugs impact the reward centres of the brain in similar ways. This may be why many people with gambling addiction report a “high” during a game. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) puts gambling addiction in the same category as substance abuse diagnoses.

Treatment for co-occurring mental illness and | or substance abuse 

Gambling addicts are significantly more likely to have mental health disorders or substance abuse problems. The statistics are bracing. According to www.masscompulsivegamblin.org, research shows that 50% of problem gamblers have a mood disorder and 60.8% have a personality disorder. 75% have an alcohol abuse problem and 38% have a drug use disorder. If you are diagnosed with a mental health disorder or substance abuse, it’s crucial to address it directly. The gambling addiction is not happening in a vacuum. It may be that your various addictions are a way you are self-medicating considerable mental distress.


Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

While behaviour therapy approaches work directly on a person’s gambling behaviors, cognitive behavioural therapy targets the underlying belief systems that fuel a gambling addiction. As a treatment for gambling addiction, the cognitive behavioural approach seeks to help a person see gambling in a different way. By changing a person’s underlying belief system, thoughts and behaviours naturally follow suit.

Cognitive behavioral therapy also addresses other underlying issues that may feed a gambling addiction, such as unresolved problems surrounding a person’s self-image, relationships with others and mental

Health problems. By working through any unresolved issues, a person has no reason to use gambling as an escape outlet.

As part of a cognitive behavioral treatment for gambling addiction, participants also confront any irrational beliefs they may have about gambling and the actual risks involved. Since a gambling addiction functions as a behaviour-based, process addiction, behaviour-based treatments work best when it comes to breaking the addictions hold on a person’s life.

Social Support | Self-help groups:

Programs like Gamblers Anonymous (a 12-step program based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous) can provide strong peer support when you are struggling to let go of compulsive gambling. People who have “been there and done that” can uniquely provide sympathetic understanding and encouragement. Like most self-help groups, success is often determined by the culture and commitment of the group. Look carefully to see how successful other people in the group have been in their efforts to quit. Success by others tends to breed success.

Inpatient Treatment (Primary): 

If your gambling addiction has led to severe social, medical, legal and/or financial difficulties, you may need to find an inpatient program to give a jumpstart to your treatment. Inpatient programs provide constant supervision, intensive daily individual and group sessions as well as coaching for managing your life differently. Often a few weeks inpatient sets a person on a positive road to recovery.

However. 28 days inpatient isn’t a cure. It is only a time to interrupt the compulsion and to begin to set another way of being in motion. Follow up with some combination of the other interventions is crucial if the gains made while inpatient are to stick.

Outpatient rehabilitation program

Outpatient treatment programs are more commonly used by people with gambling addictions. In this type of program, you will attend classes at a facility. You may also attend group sessions and one-on-one therapy. You will continue to live at home and participate in school, work, or other daily activities.

What support resources are available?

If you suspect you or someone you love has a gambling addiction, talk to your doctor or mental health professional. They can help you find the information and support you need. Several organizations also provide information about gambling addiction and treatment options. They can help guide you to local or online support services.

You may find the following organizations and resources helpful:


REFERENCES

Treatment for Gambling Addiction (psychcentral.com)

Gambling Addiction Therapy, Gambling Addiction Therapist (goodtherapy.org)

Gambling Addiction: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment (healthline.com)Gambling Addiction and the Behavioral Treatment That Can Help (addictions.com)

No Obligation Addiction Assessment

Book a No Obligation Confidential Assessment at your nearest Treatment Centre Today.

Johannesburg Admissions: +27 74 895 1043
Pretoria Admissions: +27 82 653 3311
Close

Stories of Recovery

  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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