Psychological treatment for gambling addiction

Gambling addiction, also known as gambling addiction, is a serious psychological disorder characterised by an uncontrollable need to gamble. Symptoms of gambling addiction can vary, but most commonly include the following signs:

• Uncontrollable gambling behaviour – people with gambling addiction cannot control their gambling behaviour. They may play for longer than they planned, spend too much money and are unable to stop playing even if they realise it is bad for them.
• Constant thoughts of gambling – Gambling addicts are constantly thinking about gambling, planning the next sessions and discussing games with others.
• As with other addictions, people may start gambling more and more to achieve the desired effect. They need higher and higher stakes to get the same level of satisfaction.
• Gambling addiction can lead to ignoring commitments to work, family, education and health. Patients may withdraw into gambling, ignoring everything else.
• Gambling addicts spend too much money gambling, which can lead to serious financial difficulties, up to and including bankruptcy.
• Addiction to games leads to isolation. People stop communicating with friends and family and lose social ties.

Gaming addiction can seriously affect physical and mental health, relationships and overall quality of life. Treatment for gambling addiction usually involves both psychological and medical methods. But it is psychotherapy that shows the most effective and time-lasting results. 

Psychological Treatment for Gambling Addiction Cost (Price)

Psychological treatment of gambling addiction: methods and approaches

Psychological treatment for gambling addiction plays an important role in helping those addicted to computer or gambling games. Several basic methods and approaches are used for therapy, including:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one of the most common treatments for gambling addiction. It helps patients become aware of and change the negative beliefs and behavioural patterns associated with gambling. The therapist helps the client to recognise the triggers that encourage gambling and develop strategies to cope with these situations in a healthier way.
• Family therapy – Gambling addiction often affects family relationships. Family therapy helps to restore harmony in the family and support loved ones in the treatment process.
• Group therapy – allows game addicts to socialise with other people suffering from the same addiction. This experience helps patients to feel less isolated from society.
• Education programmes – help patients understand the nature and consequences of gambling addiction. The more they know about their disease, the easier it will be for them to make treatment decisions.
• Supportive Psychotherapy – For some patients, play serves as a way to cope with other psychological problems such as depression or anxiety. The therapist helps the patient develop healthy coping strategies to deal with these problems.
• Work on time management skills – effective time management will help prevent the possibility of getting bogged down in games. Patients learn to prioritise and allocate their time to varied and healthier activities.
• Effective planning for a return to normal life after gambling addiction will be an important part of treatment. This may include setting new goals, learning social interaction skills and finding meaning in life outside of gaming.

Psychological treatment for gambling addiction is bound to be effective, but it is important that the process is personalised and tailored to the individual needs of the patient. The psychotherapist at the GarMed Clinic will carry out an assessment of the patient’s condition, allowing the most appropriate treatment method and help option to be selected depending on the specific situation.

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