Gambling can be an addiction.Compulsive gambling can lead to serious problems in your life, such as broken relationships, increased debt, and even theft.Only a mental health professional can tell you if you have a gambling problem.It is important for you to seek help if you think you have a problem.
Step 1: You should see your doctor or therapist.
You should see a mental health professional if you think you have a gambling problem.If you don't have a therapist, talking to your primary care physician can help you get some information.Your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional.You need to see an addiction specialist or a mental health professional who deals with gambling addictions.The treatment of your gambling addiction will be managed by a mental health professional who will use various behavioral therapies and other techniques to help you overcome your addiction.
Step 2: Tell your doctor what you know.
You should tell the truth when you see your doctor or mental health professional.If you don't tell your doctor all the information he or she needs, you will not be able to get the help you need.You should tell your doctor about the changes in your life.You should talk to your doctor about your feelings.Things that aren't related to you may be connected to your gambling problem.Tell your doctor if there are any causes of your gambling.A Trigger is a sight, sound, smell, feel, or taste that causes you to want to gamble.Sights and sounds are the most common.People playing cards, hearing the sound of jingling change, smelling cigarette smoke, and seeing a billboard for a casino are all Triggers.Tell your doctor if you take vitamins, herbs, or supplements.
Step 3: Ask about your gambling.
When you see a mental health professional, he or she will ask a lot of questions about your gambling.All of the questions should be answered as honestly as possible.The goal of seeing a doctor is to cure your gambling addiction, which starts with admitting your problem and being honest.When you first started gambling, how many times a week you gamble, and if you have tried to quit may be asked by your doctor.If you have ever bet material things instead of money, your doctor may ask.Your doctor may ask about your family and friends.If you are serious about treating your gambling problem, you will probably be asked by your doctor.
Step 4: The diagnostic test is called the DSM-5.
Only a mental health professional can tell you if you have a gambling disorder.You may be diagnosed with a gambling disorder by a mental health professional.You will be diagnosed with a gambling disorder if you meet the criteria on the DSM-5 test.You must have at least four of the listed criteria to be diagnosed.The need to gamble more with more money for more excitement, inability to stop or limit gambling, obsessive thoughts of gambling or ways to get money, and Tries to win back money after losing large are included in the criteria.
Step 5: Take into account the severity of your gambling problem.
You will be given a score after you have answered the DSM-5 criteria test honestly.The severity of your gambling problem is determined by your score.The severity of your gambling can help your mental health professional.If you meet four to five criteria, you have a gambling disorder.If you meet six to seven criteria, you have a moderate gambling disorder.If you meet eight to nine criteria, you have a severe gambling disorder.
Step 6: You can find out what type of gambling disorder you have.
Your mental health professional can use the criteria and additional information provided by you to decide what kind of disorder you have.You may have a gambling habit.There are large stretches of time where you don't gamble if you have a gambling disorder.The criteria for a sustained, continuous amount of time are met with persistent gambling disorder.Your doctor can determine if you are doing well.You haven't met any criteria for three months, but you have in the last year.No criteria has been met in over a year.
Step 7: Go for treatment.
You and your mental health professional can figure out a treatment plan for you after you have been diagnosed with a gambling problem.It is not easy to overcome a gambling addiction since it requires a lot of hard work and dedication.If you stick with your treatment plan, you can overcome your addiction and regain your life.Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most common treatment options for gambling disorders.Your doctor can help you change bad behavior that leads to gambling.Identifying Trigger is something you will work on.You will learn ways to deal with stress.There are support groups.People with a gambling addiction can benefit from Gamblers Anonymous.
Step 8: Do you have an obsession with gambling?
An obsession and preoccupation with gambling is a major symptom of a gambling problem.When you are not thinking about gambling, you may want to be.When you can't gamble or schedule your life around it, you may get cranky.You don't have to think about your past gambling experiences.
Step 9: Discuss how you use gambling.
People with a gambling disorder use gambling to escape their problems.Maybe you use gambling to help you with your feelings of guilt or helplessness, or to make you feel better because you are depressed.You feel the need to gamble more when you are depressed or stressed.Gambling distracts you from your real life.
Step 10: What do you think about gambling?
People with a gambling problem get addicted to betting.They feel excitement when they place big bets.Due to the nature of the addiction, the risks get bigger and bigger, which can lead to debt and other serious problems.If you need a bigger bet to get the same thrill, you may start placing bets on things you can't lose, like cars, personal items, or homes.You might have to borrow money or steal to keep gambling and making bigger bets.
Step 11: Do you know if you can stop gambling?
Compulsive gamblers do not set a limit for themselves.If a gambler loses all of his or her money, he or she won't just walk away.A gambler will keep playing so he or she can get some money back.This leads to more losses.Compulsive gamblers should be at work or with family and friends.They can't control the urge to gamble.You have tried to stop gambling in the past, but it hasn't stopped.
Step 12: Think about your relationships.
If you look at your relationships, you can determine if you are a gambler.This also includes your family and work relationships.Lying and hiding your gambling from your family can lead to strains in your relationships.You can face problems at work if you are missing work or distracted.If you have asked to borrow money or failed to pay back loans you've received from friends, you may have put strain on relationships.You may have upset friends by asking for money.
Step 13: You should look at your risk factors.
Most people will be able to gamble socially.Anyone can have a gambling problem.Some characteristics increase your risk for a gambling addiction.Other mental disorders are included.Compulsive gamblers are often alcoholics or have another substance abuse problem.There are mental disorders that may contribute to it.Sex and age.Younger or middle-aged men are more likely to be a gambler.If they have anxiety or depression, women can develop a gambling addiction.There is a family history of gambling.Being easily bored is a trait of being competitive.