Treatments For Online Gambling Addiction
Online Gambling has made it possible for people to wager money without leaving their homes. It can be an exciting and fun way to pass the time, but for some it can become a serious problem. The American Psychiatric Association classifies gambling disorder alongside problems like addiction to alcohol and drug use. It can have a negative impact on relationships, finances and health.
The most common treatment for gambling addiction is psychotherapy, also known as counseling. It is done in individual or group sessions, and can help the patient identify and address issues that may be amplifying their gambling behavior. It may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps patients modify self-destructive behaviors and improve their coping skills. It can also involve motivational interviewing (MI), which helps the patient work through their ambivalence about changing their behavior.
In addition to individual or family counseling, some online gambling addiction treatments include inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation programs. Inpatient rehab is typically best for individuals with severe gambling addiction. In these programs, the patient stays in a rehabilitation center for a set amount of time, which can range from 30 days to up to a year. Outpatient rehabilitation is usually better suited for individuals with mild to moderate gambling addiction. In these programs, the patient attends classes and counseling sessions but does not live in a rehab facility. This can be more flexible and suited for people who want to continue working while in recovery.