Gambling is a form of self-soothe, as well as a way to spend time with friends and relax. However, gambling is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Instead, try spending time with positive extracurricular activities, like sports or volunteering. Practice relaxation techniques and try spending time with nongambling friends. In some cases, gambling may even be a good way to combat boredom. The same principles apply for treatment of problem gambling.
Positive extracurricular activities can help children cope with gambling
Parents must be on the lookout for educational and social problems. They must promote positive extracurricular activities to help their children cope with stress and let off steam. Family attitudes toward gambling can influence children’s gambling habits, and the less exposure they have to it, the better. Those with more positive family attitudes are less likely to engage in problem gambling. Positive extracurricular activities may also promote cognitive skills. Children who engage in arts and creative activities may benefit from increased exposure.
Parents should also discuss gambling with children, allowing them to know that it’s not a good choice. Parents should talk to their children about the quality of media they consume and discuss themes and content in such media. Parents can also encourage balanced screen use to minimize the appeal of gambling and other unhealthy behaviors. It is important to encourage kids to find healthy ways to cope with gambling while also encouraging them to engage in other activities to relieve stress and anxiety.
Compulsive gambling is similar to substance abuse
There are many similarities between compulsions in substance abuse and compulsive gambling. The most prominent feature is a compulsive need to engage in a behavior or activity, and both disorders are difficult to stop without the help of a professional. There are many different ways to treat compulsions in gambling and substance abuse, and therapy is an effective means of addressing both problems simultaneously.
While there are numerous factors that can increase the risk of compulsive gambling, a common cause is social isolation or peer pressure. Many people engage in compulsive gambling out of loneliness, or as a way to avoid stress or social rejection. Other people may engage in compulsive gambling as a way to gain approval from others or to fulfill a need to be noticed. However, the best way to diagnose compulsive gambling is by speaking with a mental health professional.
Treatment options for problem gamblers
Although gambling addiction is not always an incurable disease, there are a number of effective treatments available for problem gamblers. Some of these treatments may help the problem gamblers regain control of their lives and repair their finances and relationships. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, can help the problem gamblers change their unhealthy beliefs and coping mechanisms. While the American Psychiatric Association states that there is no FDA-approved medication for problem gamblers, emerging research suggests that certain medications may be effective in reducing the intensity of gambling urges.
Some studies suggest that problem gamblers use primitive survival techniques from early human evolution. For instance, when studying the behavior of 128 problem gamblers aged 20 to 68, researchers found that 10 percent of them were in debt worth over $100,000. Nevertheless, these individuals did not use these basic survival strategies in gambling games. For this reason, they do not necessarily require formal treatment. Nevertheless, they may benefit from additional training to help them cope with the negative consequences of their gambling habits.