While the games may not be rigged in a casino, the odds are skewed heavily in the house’s favour that most players will lose. Most people will stop after a loss. But losing may not be enough to dissuade some people.

A fraction of the population is affected by gambling and can lose control over their behaviour, causing them to seek professional gambling addiction treatment. At Sierra Recovery, we offer cost-effective treatment in Spain to help people overcome compulsive gambling.

Does the UK Have a Gambling Problem?

Gambling behaviour is on the rise in the United Kingdom. Between April and June of 2024, total betting and gaming receipts totalled £884 million, a 2 per cent increase from the previous year. July to September saw £895 million in gaming receipts, a 10 per cent rise.

This means that more people are gambling and spending more money on that. While most of these gamblers do not have a gambling addiction, many will develop an addiction and will need treatment for their addiction.

However, the harm from gambling may extend far past the losses bettors incur. Some estimates posit that gambling-related difficulties are responsible for between 117 and 496 suicides between 2021 and 2022. The financial impact of these deaths is between £241.1 million to £961.7 million.

What Is Gambling Addiction?

A gambling addiction is a behavioural condition whose primary characteristic is an uncontrollable urge to gamble. It can be caused by numerous things, such as a mental health disorder or addictive tendencies being passed down genetically.

People who have this addiction will be psychologically dependent on gambling. They may become depressed, irritable, or anxious when they are unable to gamble.

Wins and losses are almost secondary to many problem gamblers. It will not matter if they lose everything they have or win generational wealth. They will invariably need to continue gambling.

How Gambling Addiction is Treated

At Sierra Recovery, our rehab programme for gambling addiction includes a variety of therapeutic interventions that are aimed at helping people stop their behaviour and regain control over their finances and their lives.

Some of the ways that we address process addictions such as compulsive gambling include:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a widely used therapeutic modality that focuses on the relationship between a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. By using cognitive behavioural therapy, a treatment programme can help someone identify the thought patterns that contribute to their problematic gambling behaviour.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an offshoot of CBT, and one of its primary focuses is helping patients develop skills in four key modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Each of these modules can be vital in gambling treatment. Mindfulness, distress tolerance, and emotional regulation can help a person deal with their cravings and urges to gamble. Interpersonal effectiveness can help a person set boundaries with friends and family who may try to enable gambling behaviour.

Support Groups

An important part of any addiction treatment programme is a support group. Being in group therapy can help a person find a supportive environment to connect with others who have struggled with similar difficulties. This also helps with maintaining what has been started in treatment.

What Compulsive Gambling Can Lead To

Gambling addiction does not exist in a vacuum. Gambling causes heavy consequences not only for the people gambling but also for the people around them. It can lead to several things, such as:

Debt

One of the most common side effects of problem gambling is debt and financial troubles. As mentioned before, most gamblers lose money. However, problem gamblers will be unable to stop gambling despite losses, which can lead to them borrowing money to fund their wagers. This endless cycle can continue unless the person seeks treatment.

Career Difficulties

A gambling problem can be seen as a liability in some professions, especially if a person works in government or finance. Because of this, being known as a problem gambler may limit a person’s career progression or lead to job loss.

Loss of Relationships

The financial strain that many compulsive gamblers face can strain their relationships because this financial strain can affect a family’s lifestyle. People can lose their homes or savings, leading to resentment from spouses or children.

Mental Health Troubles

The financial and interpersonal strain that gambling addiction can cause a person to become anxious or depressed. Many gamblers suffer from depression and often entertain suicide as a way out of debt and to ease their family’s troubles. This is something that can have a profound impact on a person’s life.

Substance Use

One of the major effects of the above is substance use, as it is not uncommon for someone to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means of coping with the symptoms of a mental health disorder to escape the stressful reality temporarily.

Symptoms of a Gambling Disorder

Symptoms of a gambling disorder may include:

Obsession

One of the most prominent symptoms of a gambling addiction is an obsession with gambling. People with a gambling addiction will be preoccupied with it to the point where they may not be able to allocate mental energy to anything else.

Loss of Control

Another prominent characteristic of a gambling disorder is that a person will lose control over their behaviour. Winning or losing won’t matter. A person who has a gambling disorder will want to keep gambling no matter what the outcome is.

Chasing Losses

Another prominent sign that someone has a gambling disorder is when they begin chasing losses. This is when a person continues to gamble despite mounting losses, hoping that their fortunes will turn and they can return the money they lost or even get ahead.

Escalation

A problem with gambling can often escalate to make their playing more exciting. For example, a gambler may place larger wagers, or the wagers they place may become more complex, such as how people who bet on a football match may try to bet on the final score instead of just who wins or loses.

Secrecy

Another major symptom of gambling addiction is when a person hides the extent of their gambling behaviour. They may attempt to hide their losses or find an excuse for why they’re facing financial troubles, hoping that the next win will change their situation.

Relapse Prevention for Gambling

Inpatient care can be intensive. But it is often not enough to help a person stop themselves from gambling in the future. Addiction is a chronic disease, and relapse prevention strategies are an important part of the recovery process.

Outpatient treatment options such as Gamblers Anonymous can be a vital part of treating gambling addiction and give access to continued support to the person recovering. Continuing individual and group therapy can also be an important factor in keeping a person from falling into old habits of gambling.

Available Treatment Options

At Sierra Recovery, we do not believe in a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to treatment. Our treatment approach will be made to fit each person who comes to us for help. In line with individualised treatment, we conduct a thorough assessment to understand a person’s needs, struggles, and recovery goals.

What this means is that we will also address any substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or process addictions that may co-occur in addition to their problem gambling.

We strive to provide clients with a safe and secure environment in which they can recover from their struggles and build a healthier life.

Discover How To Overcome a Gambling Problem

If you are struggling with your gambling impulses, then rest assured that help is available. We will provide you with a comfortable, rustic environment in the mountains of Malaga where you can isolate yourself from your temptations and focus on building a path toward a better life.