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Gambling Addiction / Compulsion
Gambling addiction, or gambling compulsion is a disorder where a person cannot control the impulse to gamble, even when they know how unhelpful and hurtful it is to themselves and to those around them. Gambling is all they think about whether they are happy or sad, angry or excited, just paid or broke.
Some ways to help manage the lack of impulse control is to reach out for support. Asking for help is a healthy positive sign. Try doing something else such as planning to clear the garage or go to the gym. Think about what really happens when you start gambling, how much time you spend and how much money you lose, what that really costs in quality of life and damage in relationships. Also try to avoid isolation. Perhaps join a club or a group, try to build up a bigger social support network.
Groups like Gamblers Anonymous can be helpful in learning from others how they manage the compulsion. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a type of counseling which can help the gambler change unhealthy thoughts, feelings and behaviours, to help think about gambling in a new more honest way and mange their impulse control more effectively. It can help fight compulsive urges and deal with uncomfortable emotions more constructively. It can also help address some of the reasons the person started gambling in the first place.
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This article was written by sentientcounselling