Gambling Counsellor Chesterfield and Mansfield

Has betting taken hold of your finances and got you into trouble? Would you like to turn your bad luck around and get your gambling under control? If the answer is yes to both these questions, our gambling counsellor in Chesterfield and Mansfield is here to help. It’s not just substances that can cause addictive behaviour. Gambling is one activity that can become an addiction by essentially the same mechanism as drugs such as cocaine, and the problem is virtually identical for the purposes of gambling counselling. Like people addicted to drugs, those suffering from a gambling addiction have built up a connection between reward and a potentially damaging habit, and this has to be tackled through gambling counselling at our offices in Glapwell, Chesterfield. S44. Gambling addicts can place themselves in financial turmoil, neglect their work and ignore their families because of their issues.

What’s the Difference Between Gambling, Addiction and Problem Gambling?

Most people can gamble in moderation without any negative consequences. A casual gambler can set spending limits, and primarily partakes in the activity for fun. If you or your loved one is gambling frequently, to the point where it is starting to have an impact on your day to day life, it is most likely a sign of problem gambling. If the individual doesn’t stop, their gambling can become compulsive and addicts can loose everything on the spin of a wheel, or the roll of a dice. In full-blown gambling addiction, betting is the only thing the individual thinks about, and he or she cannot stop despite the mounting negative consequences. In fact the gambling addict will do almost anything to avoid the negative consequences. When somebody is addicted to gambling, the compulsion continues regardless of whether it’s going badly or well, and they will find it virtually impossible to stick to spending limits.

Why is Gambling Addictive?

The brain’s reward network is the primary means through which something becomes addictive. Drugs create an artificial surge of dopamine, the main neurotransmitter responsible for euphoric, rewarding feelings. This is supposed to be a reward for performing activities like eating or having sex, which are integral to human existence. Gambling and drugs of addiction short out this circuit by creating an association between the activity and a dopamine surge. This relationship can become so intense that ordinary activities such as eating no longer produce the same reward, and gambling is their only method of achieving it. Breaking down this association is the primary goal of our gambling counselling in Chesterfield and Mansfield.

What are the Signs of Gambling Addiction?

Generally, the most important marker for gambling addiction is an inability to stop in spite of negative consequences. Gambling when you can’t afford to, hiding your gambling and being unable to stop once you’ve started are important signs of addiction. Your family might have expressed concerns about your gambling in the past, but you ignored them and claimed that you didn’t have a problem. If you think you may be gambling compulsively, finding counselling or other psychological support may be beneficial.

How is Gambling Addiction Treated?

The main form of treatment offered at our offices in Glapwell, Chesterfield and Mansfield for gambling addiction is psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy can be particularly effective, because it addresses both the internal thought processes and the external behaviours which contribute to the issue. Clients are taught new ways of thinking and behaving to remove the association between gambling and reward. The therapy empowers the individual to institute positive changes in their own life. Group counselling sessions can also be used in cases of gambling addiction, and these can use various approaches, such as the 12 step
model of Gamblers Anonymous.

If you’re concerned that you or your loved one is gambling compulsively and it’s causing a problem in your day to day life, you should might benefit from professional help. Addiction is a difficult problem to overcome, and talking to a qualified therapist can help individuals tackle their issues more effectively. If you’re having trouble with gambling addiction, don’t hesitate to get in touch! Visit us in person at our Chesterfield and Mansfield offices or contact us by phone today!