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Approximately 7.5 million U.S. adults have mild to severe gambling problems. For those whose issues are more severe, inpatient gambling treatment centers can provide the intensive, structured support necessary to break free from gambling addiction.
Understanding Gambling Disorder
To understand the importance of inpatient gambling treatment, it’s necessary first to understand gambling disorder. While it shares some similarities with other addictions, there are unique aspects that often require specialized treatment.
As with substance use disorders, gambling causes specific effects on the brain. Repeated gambling causes changes to chemical and emotional responses, which influence thoughts and behaviors.
- Dopamine release: The “rush” from gambling and winning causes a release of dopamine (a “happy” brain chemical). This pleasurable feeling, or “reward,” makes the person want to repeat the behavior.
- Reward pathways: As a person repeats the gambling behavior, their brain’s reward system is rewired. The behavior is reinforced, which leads to increased urges to gamble and cravings that can become harder and harder to resist.
- Decision-making/impulse control: If gambling becomes chronic, this can affect the person’s ability to control impulses or make healthy decisions—similar to the urges and cravings a person experiences with drug or alcohol abuse.
These changes can have multiple negative impacts on the person’s life:
- Debt/financial problems
- Strained relationships
- Poor work/school performance
- Legal issues
- Decline in mental and physical health
When an individual is experiencing a gambling disorder, they are constantly thinking about gambling activities. They often neglect responsibilities and relationships.
They may lie or become secretive about their gambling, and they frequently use gambling as a means to cope with negative emotions.
Facing these challenges, a person experiencing gambling addiction may require inpatient gambling treatment to overcome them.
Why Inpatient Gambling Treatment Works
Typically, an individual with a gambling disorder has tried repeatedly to stop gambling but was unable to quit.
Often, a significant factor in this lack of success is the lack of proper intervention. Treatment must effectively address the various challenges of gambling addiction.
With that in mind, inpatient gambling treatment offers several advantages for those seeking support.
Benefits of Residential Gambling Rehab
Residential gambling rehab offers a structured, distraction-free environment where you can focus entirely on recovery.
With 24/7 support, personalized treatment, and a community that understands addiction, you gain the tools to rebuild control and restore balance in your life.
- New environment: While at a gambling addiction rehab center, an individual is removed from their typical surroundings.
- Inpatient rehab takes them away from triggers, such as people, places, or situations, that would usually encourage them to gamble.
- Structured treatment: Inpatient gambling treatment offers 24/7 support and care that is entirely focused on recovery from gambling addiction. The setting is designed specifically for gambling recovery.
- Peer support: When you’re experiencing a gambling disorder, treatment in an inpatient center offers the opportunity to connect with others who are facing similar challenges.
- This mutual support can make a massive difference in gambling recovery stories.
- Focused therapy: During inpatient gambling treatment, individuals participate in intensive individual and group therapy designed to address gambling addiction concerns and take their lives in a new direction.
Gambling Rehab Success
The success rate of inpatient gambling addiction treatment programs varies widely, from 39% to 89%.
Many factors affect these numbers, and topping the list is co-occurring disorders. If an individual is also facing depression, bipolar disorder, or opioid use disorder, for example, this dual diagnosis has a significant effect on their gambling behavior.
Whether or not treatment effectively addresses both diagnoses affects treatment outcomes.
Other factors that can influence gambling addiction recovery include gender, physical health, and available support systems at home or in the community. A critical source of this support can be inpatient gambling treatment.
What to Expect in Inpatient Gambling Treatment Centers
Inpatient or residential gambling rehab offers comprehensive treatment to address the various challenges of gambling addiction.
During inpatient gambling treatment, you can expect:
- 24/7 care: Participants live at the residential gambling rehab under round-the-clock supervision.
- The treatment team may include counselors, therapists, social workers, gambling addiction specialists, and psychiatrists.
- The average stay ranges from 30 to 90 days.
- Individual therapy: You’ll meet with therapists one-on-one to address gambling addiction concerns and learn skills to overcome them.
- Group therapy: Group sessions are guided by a clinician and allow participants to share relatable struggles and offer mutual support.
- Family involvement: If appropriate, family therapy is provided that allows family members to learn about gambling addiction, how they can support their loved one, and work on healing broken relationships.
- Relapse prevention: This involves learning what led to gambling in the past and developing skills to prevent future gambling behaviors.
- Holistic methods: In addition to other therapies, techniques such as yoga, exercise, and art may be incorporated into treatment to support stress reduction and other mental health issues.
Therapies and Interventions Used
The most common interventions applied at gambling inpatient gambling treatment centers include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy: This is the most frequently applied therapeutic method during gambling addiction treatment.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors surrounding gambling.
- The aim is to correct distorted thinking about gambling, develop problem-solving skills, learn social skills, and work on relapse prevention.
- Motivational interviewing: This strategy seeks to lower an individual’s resistance to treatment and enhance motivation for change.
- Medications: As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, clinicians may prescribe medications to address co-occurring mental health concerns.
- Support groups: In addition to group therapy, participants may be encouraged to join groups such as Gamblers Anonymous for further support.
- Financial counseling: Because gambling addiction involves financial challenges, inpatient gambling treatment may include guidance on financial matters.
- Counselors may offer coaching on budgeting, debt repayment, or other financial stability concerns.
Life After Inpatient Gambling Rehab
As with any addiction, gambling recovery stories don’t end when inpatient rehab for gambling addiction is over. Long-term gambling rehab success is dependent on continued efforts and support.
During inpatient treatment, individuals develop skills to manage gambling urges, make lifestyle changes, and prevent relapse. This treatment can be reinforced after inpatient gambling rehab through the following methods.
- Outpatient therapy: Continued sessions reinforce skills learned during inpatient treatment.
- Support groups: In-person and online groups are available to provide ongoing support.
- Hobbies: New, healthy investments of time, talent, and passion allow individuals to refocus energies away from gambling and toward a positive future.
- Volunteering: Giving back to the community is an effective way to remain focused on healthy priorities, develop new skills and hobbies, and add purpose to one’s life, all of which help prevent relapse.
Inpatient Gambling Treatment Centers FAQ
What is Inpatient Gambling Treatment?
During inpatient gambling treatment, participants live at a gambling rehab center for 30-90 days, where they receive 24/7 supervision and intensive therapy for gambling and co-occurring mental health disorders.
How Does Inpatient Rehab Help With Gambling Addiction?
Inpatient gambling treatment provides a structured environment that removes individuals from gambling triggers and delivers focused treatment for gambling addiction.
Therapy methods are designed to help the individual change their thoughts and behaviors, develop new healthy habits, and prevent relapse.
What Therapies are Used in Gambling Rehab?
The most commonly used therapy in gambling rehab is cognitive behavioral therapy.
How Long is Inpatient Gambling Treatment?
Inpatient gambling treatment usually lasts 30-90 days.
Does Insurance Cover Gambling Addiction Treatment?
This varies by provider and plan. Some plans cover gambling addiction treatment as part of mental health services. Verify with your provider before enrolling in a program to determine specific benefits and limitations.
Where Can I Find Inpatient Gambling Treatment?
If you’re looking for an inpatient gambling recovery center, consider speaking with your healthcare provider for recommendations. You might also reach out to Gamblers Anonymous and related support groups in your area for suggestions on qualified treatment providers in your area.
If you’re experiencing a co-occurring gambling and substance use disorder, you can explore the national directory to find a dual diagnosis care provider near you or call the confidential helpline for immediate support.
800-681-1058
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