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Behavioral Treatment for Gambling Problems

A cognitive-behavioral therapy program is one proven effective method addiction specialists use to treat problem gambling. Because gambling is an addictive behavior, gamblers often use excuses to avoid treatment, or fail to see the problems their mounting losses cause.

  1. Stages of Problem Gambling

    • Problem gamblers go through three distinct phases: the "winning" phase in which the gambler wins money, the "losing" phase where the gambler begins to lose, and the "chasing" phase when the gambler bets more and more to try to win back what she has lost.

    Why Behavioral Therapy Works

    • Behavioral therapy doesn't simply treat the symptoms of problem gambling. This style of treatment looks at the gambler's life as a whole, and includes assessing the gamblers lifestyle and changing her attitudes toward gaming.

    Features of Problematic Gamblers

    • While assessing the gambler's lifestyle and which phase of gambling the patient is engaged in, the doctor also looks for symptoms of other diseases that are often present in problem gamblers, such as bipolar disorder, depression and substance addiction. If he finds any such disease present, the doctor treats both the problematic gambling and the other underlying disorder.

    Common Treatment Methods Using Behavioral Therapy

    • A practitioner will use some aspects of aversion therapy, which teaches the patient to avoid dangerous activity. She will also begin the process of psychotherapy, which allows the gambler to better understand her motivation behind her problem. A doctor will also try to provide an alternate outlet for the patient's compulsive competitive behavior, such as team sports or video games. Finally, the doctor may contact family members or friends of the gambler to help reinforce treatment.

    Enablers and Problematic Social Relationships

    • One hallmark of behavioral therapy is to assess how social pressures affect the problematic gambler. Often, a family member or friend will act as an "enabler." This person typically gives the gambler money or other assistance which allows the gambler to continue losing money. The practitioner will try to develop this relationship in a more positive direction through therapy. If that is not possible, the practitioner may ask that the patient avoid contact with her "enabler."

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