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After seeking a doctor's help and identifying with any of the signs, here are some resources to help you through your possible addiction. 

Gambling Addiction Resources

Gambling Addiction

Also known as Pathological Gambling, a type of impulse-control disorder. People with impulse-control disorders are unable to refrain from doing a particular activity (such as gambling). Gambling becomes an addiction when it turns into a behavior that disrupts your life. Gambling addiction is often found in conjunction with order disorders, such as alcohol addiction, ADHD, or bipolar disorder (Segal et al., 2021).

 

Below you will find a list of various resources or treatments used to diminish gambling addiction. 

Learn Healthy Coping Mechanisms

People who struggle with gambling addictions often gamble to relieve unwanted stress. The key to beating gambling addiction is to re-learn healthier coping mechanisms that are not self destructive. 

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Examples of healthy coping mechanisms:

  • Exercising 

  • Writing down your feelings in a journal 

  • Calling a friend

  • Eating your favorite comfort meal 

Identify your reason for gambling 
 

If you believe your gambling addiction is not stress related, identify its underlying cause. 

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  • Thrill-seeking behaviors  =  Seek an alternatively strong adrenaline-filled activity.

    • Examples may include trying a new sport (biking, skiing, surfing)​

    • Visit amusement parks and go on extreme rides such as rollercoasters

    • Do something that scares you (public speaking, deep-sea diving, etc). 

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  • Gambling for socialization = Find alternate ways to socialize with people.

    • Attend concerts or festivals to meet new people ​

    • Join a club or community group

    • Volunteer within your community

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  • Gambling in hopes of earning money = Recognize that gambling isn't an effective way to earn extra money. In fact, the odds of winning from a slot machine can range up to a one-in-about-34-million chance of winning the top prize from a slot machine (Neiger, 2022).

  •  Try these safer methods for earning extra cash:​​

    • Invest in stocks​

    • Apply for a part time, or seasonal job

    • Sell unwanted clothes/jewelry

    • Consult with a credit counselor to help alleviate excessive debt

Websites 

It can be difficult to open up to friends and family about battling a gambling addiction.  For those who chose not to discuss their addiction with others, or have nobody to talk to about their addiction, there are several websites full of resources to help point recovering addicts in the right direction. 

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  • ​National Helpline for Gambling Addiction:  (1-800-522-4700)

  •  https://www.nevadacouncil.org/

    • Las Vegas is known for its casinos and world-class entertainment. According to the Nevada Council for Gambling Awareness, up to 6% of Nevadans have a gambling addiction. This website is helpful for learning the signs of addiction, and where to seek counseling for local Nevadans. ​

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General Drug Addiction Resources
 

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is defined as a physical disease that affects a person's behavior and leads to the uncontrolled use of a substance (examples include nicotine, amphetamine, and opiate addictions) (NIDA, 2020).   

Treatments for Drug Addiction

There are many treatments used to overcome drug addiction, including:

  • Behavioral counseling

  • Medical devices used to treat withdrawal symptoms

    • Devices such as nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges help curve nicotine cravings during withdrawal. ​

  • Various medications

    • ​Methadone and Naltrexone are used to treat opiate addiction by suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This allows time for the body to detoxify, or rid itself of the substance (NIDA, 2020).  

Unique therapies available for Drug Addiction

Music Therapy 

  • Music therapy can be used for recovering addicts to reduce stress, and help people focus on recovery.

  • Music can also help the recovering addict work through feelings of guilt, anger, and anxiety the addiction may have caused (American Addiction Centers, 2021).  

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Animal-Assisted Therapy

  • Used in conjunction with behavioral counseling or medication plans, animal-assisted therapy can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety for recovering addicts (Hudson, 2020).

  • Animal therapy can help ease stress on people going through withdrawal symptoms..

Websites 

  • SAMHSA National Helpline: (1-800-662-HELP (4357) )

    • SAMHSA is a free, confidential service to help those facing mental or substance abuse disorders. ​

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Alcohol Addiction Resources

When to
Seek Help

Treatments for Alcohol Addiction

Medications used to help Alcohol Addiction
 

Websites 

Behavioral Treatments

  • The purpose of behavioral treatments is to change drinking behavior through counseling (NIAAA, 2014).

  • Counseling sessions can include the following:

    • Developing skills to refrain from drinking

    • How to build a support system

    • Identifying triggers that may cause a relapse

Mutual Support Groups

  • Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous provide social support for people trying to overcome alcohol addiction. 

It may be time to seek treatment for alcohol related disorders as soon as you begin to feel that it is disrupting your life.

According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 14 million adults 18 and older have alcohol use disorder, and 1 in 10 children live at home with a parent who has an alcohol disorder (2014).

There are three main medications currently being prescribed to help treat alcohol dependence

  • Naltrexone: helps reduce frequency of drinking

  • Acamprosate: helps recovering addicts maintain abstinence and reduce cravings

  • Disulfiram: blocks the metabolism of alcohol in the liver, causing unpleasant symptoms such as nausea

    • These uncomfortable symptoms can help people refrain from drinking​ (NIAAA, 2014).

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