Those that need gambling addiction help need not wait any longer, as we at Action Rehab are here to help.
Get FREE Confidential Advice Regarding Gambling Detox
Speak to us for FREE and confidential advice regarding gambling detoxification, whether its you or a family member/friend. You are not alone.
GET IN TOUCH TODAYGambling is an addiction that can have detrimental effects, while a behavioural addiction, it can lead to extreme psychological issues that can be fatal. Before it gets too late, seek help from us with gambling detox.
Why Detoxing From Gambling Is Important
Gambling addiction is sinister, it can be extremely addictive due to the triggering of the brain’s reward system which is a catalyst for continual reinforcement of gambling.
Detoxing is important, as the act of gambling can get out of control, fast. One of the main issues is not only is it incredibly addictive, but during losses it is easy to try makeup for them by gambling more money only making the cycle worse.
Plus, one win doesn’t mean it is going to continue, but this initial reward can almost justify the repetition. The importance of detoxing from gambling is imperative, it can take away belongings, ruin relationships and leave many in an extremely dark place.
Gambling, just like any substance can end fatally – which is why it is crucial to seek help.
Choosing The Right Gambling Detox Centre
While ‘detox’ is typically aligned with substances, there is no reason that any other behavioural addiction shouldn’t be treated the same. With substance addiction and behavioural addiction still resulting in detrimental situations they should be treated with the same care and attention.
With this in mind, choosing the right place for gambling addiction help is important. Some things to consider during the decision making process may include:
#1 The Behavioural Addiction Treatments
Since gambling is a behavioural addiction, it is important to consider the level of help detox and rehab centres have for behavioural addictions. This would mean looking out for intense therapies and a predominant focus on psychological wellbeing with licensed and experienced therapists that specialises in addiction.
#2 The CQC Rating
The CQC is a regulatory body that provides a non-biased look into the workings of many health centres in the UK. This is a way to find out the trustworthiness of a clinic and their capabilities, to find the best ones, look out for ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ ratings on their site.
#3 The Environmental Surroundings
Reaching out for help with gambling addiction is a huge step and to move away from this temptation or gambling triggers it is crucial to be in an environment that forbids gambling. Being within the walls of a gambling detox facility ensures that there are no triggers, allowing for full focus on recovery and psychological therapy.
At Action Rehab, we can find facilities that offer a home-from-home feeling, ensuring the comfort of in-patients.
A Typical Gambling Detox Timeline
A gambling detox timeline is unique when compared to other addictions such as substances, or alcohol. For example, so long as gambling isn’t an addiction alongside the use of substances there will be no physical withdrawals; however, it isn’t rare to see alcohol or drug use alongside a gambling addiction.
If there are coinciding addictions, such as drugs and gambling, then yes, there may be some physical withdrawals and cravings for substances as well as the psychological symptoms that come with withdrawing from gambling.
The good news is, there is treatment and detox available for numerous coinciding addictions, so whether it is a gambling addiction in isolation or a substance addiction and a gambling addiction – they can all be treated within a designated facility.
If however the gambling addiction is isolated, the detox may follow this typical timeline.
Stage 1: Pre-assessment & Admission
The first stage is to be assessed and to get admitted to a detox facility, during the first day, the individual suffering from gambling addiction will be assessed by typically a professional addiction specialist. This will help the facility understand the extent of the addiction and the best treatment plan. During these first few days, which may last to day 3, withdrawal may begin with psychological cravings to gamble becoming apparent.
Stage 2: Withdrawal Symptoms Peak
The second stage of withdrawal is when the symptoms are likely to be at their worst. These will be psychological including the likes of severe anxiety, cravings, depression, restlessness and irritability.
This would typically last up to a week, sometimes longer depending on the individual.
Stage 3: Stabilisation of Withdrawals & Gambling Rehab
After the first week or two, the psychological symptoms will subside, while there will be minimal symptoms lingering like cravings; these will be worked through with therapy in rehab. The detox will physically and mentally remove gambling from everyday life, to focus on nothing but recovery.
Then, rehab will allow those to work on themselves through a range of therapies, abstinence from gambling and evidence based treatments from behavioural addictions such as gambling.
Medical Supervision and Safety Measures During Detox
Those that get help with gambling addiction could be in an extremely vulnerable state, this means that medical supervision must be at an all time high. Not only that, but safety measures to avoid self harm must also be in place due to the level of depression and suicidal thoughts that are highly correlated with gambling use.
Rest assured, gambling detox centres are equipped with staff who specialise in this area and facilities that do the utmost to protect every inpatient.
It is absolutely understood that gambling detox requires heavy monitoring, with suicide a real risk, we recommend that anybody suffering from gambling addiction seek the help from a recognised facility with our help to avoid fatal consequences.
Understanding Gambling Withdrawal Symptoms
Gambling withdrawal symptoms are not pleasant, they are intense psychological symptoms that can take over, leaving those suffering from the addiction in a real dark place.
Some of the most common gambling addiction withdrawals may include, but aren’t limited to:
- Intense ‘cravings’ or tendencies to gamble
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Depression
- Sleep troubles
- Irritability / Heightened temper
- Inability to focus
- Avoidance of social interaction
- Financial distress
- Physical response to stress (e.g. muscle tension, headaches etc.)
If any of these sound familiar, it is important to seek help before anything spirals out of control.
Medications Used During Gambling Detox
While not everybody that seeks gambling addiction help requires medication, there are some that make the process of detoxing easier. Alongside therapy, some medications that could be used to soften the intensity of psychological symptoms may include, but aren’t limited to:
- SSRI’s: A common antidepressant that can help with depression and anxiety
- Anticonvulsants: Various anticonvulsant medications can help to reduce impulsivity
- Naltrexone: While typically used for substance cravings, there could be benefits in reducing cravings in behavioural addictions too by blocking the brain’s reward system
- TCAs & SNRI’s: Another common antidepressant that offers help symptoms of depression and anxiety
Again, much of the treatment is in the form of psychological therapy, but some approved medication could be considered on a case by case basis.
Medications Used to Support Recovery
The medications used for those that get help with gambling addiction are the same as those potentially used during treatment. While they’re not always necessary, some may find that the likes of antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anticonvulsants are useful in transitioning into everyday life again.
This can help avoid relapse and deal with triggers when they arise, while therapy can continue after treatment, a GP could prescribe these alongside for a complete approach to long-term treatment.
Reach Out to Our Support Team
Don’t wait to get help with gambling addiction, the repercussions can be detrimental, it is important to seek help before anything gets worse. Reach out to our support team for free at Action Rehab to find out how we can help find a suitable treatment centre, together.
Why Choose Action Rehab?
Choosing action rehab to get help with gambling addiction means getting through the fight against gambling addiction with us by your side.
Nobody should be alone during a gambling addiction, and a detox is the most appropriate way of ridding addiction for good. We can provide you with a range of options, from those near or far away from your failure surroundings, simply let us know what you require from a detox centre and we’ll do the rest.
We’re here, ready to help, so simply contact us via the contact options below for more free information.
Contact Us Now
Contact us via contact form here on our website, our phone number on 0151 268 6992, or via email at info@action-rehab.com.
We’re here to help anybody battling gambling addiction, so get in touch today.
FAQ's
John Gillen - Author - Last Updated: 16th November 2017
John is a leading expert in addiction recovery and has been pioneering new techniques such as NAD+ for over 10 years. He’s committed to providing the best treatment options available throughout Europe, including ongoing research into therapies like laser therapy to help people heal from their problems.
Dr. Pamela Young - Doctor - Last Reviewed: 12/04/2022 2:00 pm
Dr. Pamela Young MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP, DFSRH, FRSPH, MBA (Cantab)
Dr Young is a highly experienced GP specialising in drug detoxification and mental health issues, which often coexist alongside drug misuse.
She helps people who struggle with substance abuse by providing medical treatment to help them recover from their addictions while also managing any withdrawal symptoms that may occur when quitting an addictive substance.
Very experienced in helping patients through the detoxification stage of rehab, both as inpatients and outpatients treated through community care.
Dr Young is a recognised healthcare services professional who also holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
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