Gambling addiction treatment
Break free from the cycle of gambling addiction with Priory's expert-led, personalised treatment and support.
Take the first step towards recovery today by booking your free addiction assessment.
A gambling addiction, sometimes referred to as 'compulsive gambling' or 'problem gambling’, can cause difficulties in relationships and at work, while the cost of funding it can become a huge financial burden. While it's possible to get lucky from time-to-time, it's important to remember that betting odds of any kind are always in favour of what's ultimately a lucrative industry for a reason.
How is gambling addiction treated?
Treatment for gambling addiction can take place as part of our 28-day addiction treatment programme, with the length and type of treatment that you receive, dependent on your unique condition and the severity of your addiction.
This may involve getting gambling addiction treatment from professionals at Priory and joining a self-help group such as GamCare or Gamblers Anonymous; these groups offer local, telephone and online support.
We offer several forms of treatment for problem gambling. However, the first step is recognising the symptoms of gambling addiction and trying to understand why the addiction developed, as well as what other stresses or problems you may be trying to avoid. This may be explored through individual or support group therapy at one of our specialist addiction centres.
What's included in our treatment programme?
- A FREE, no obligation addiction assessment
- A structured group therapy programme
- Access to both on and off-site 12-step support groups
- Free aftercare for 12 months following treatment
- Free family support for 12 months following treatment
We also offer outpatient treatment, which can include one-to-one therapy sessions, online therapy and day care.
Gambling addiction treatment options
While it can feel impossible to stop gambling, specialist gambling addiction treatment at Priory, aims to alleviate the destructive effects of compulsive gambling behaviours. At Priory’s specialist addiction centres, we use behavioural therapies to help you to understand the reasons why you find it difficult to stop gambling, enabling you to learn techniques to channel these urges into more healthy pursuits.
In order to stop gambling, there needs to be an admission that there’s a problem – this may typically come after a large loss or losing a substantial amount of money over several days.
Therapy
The most effective method of treating gambling addiction is via a comprehensive programme of addiction therapy.
We'll use talking therapies, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), throughout your treatment programme, as they're effective in treating gambling addiction and can help you to understand what triggers your gambling behaviours, and the ways in which you may change this behaviour.
Medication for a dual diagnosis
If you're struggling with gambling addiction alongside another co-occurring condition, such as depression or anxiety, it may be appropriate for you to be prescribed medication to help with this dual diagnosis. If you're diagnosed with a further mental health condition alongside gambling addiction, your treatment programme may involve inpatient treatment to ensure that any prescribed medication such as antidepressants are being taken at the effective dose.
