Gambling Addictions
By: Rachael Komisar
My interest in the gambling addiction.
The History of Gambling
- In the 1600's to the mid 1800's gambling was outlawed by the Puritans. Even possessing cards, dice and/or gaming tables were outlawed. Though English colonists saw gambling as an innocent game if used in the right way. It was legal for the English colonists because it was considered "suitable for gentlemen". Though it was once accepted it began to be the thing to blame when things in the colonies started to become "corrupt'.
- In the mid 1800's and early 1900's gambling took off when the Gold Rush started in California. As gambling started to hit its highest point more diverse people started to show up so that they could gamble as well. some of the people that showed up were women, mainly black or Chinese. In general gambling was mostly popular in the west. But soon it was frowned upon and limits were given to it because of the way that people were acting. During the prohibition gambling was not completely destroyed but it was driven underground.
- In the early 1930's to now gambling became a legal activity once again. When the Great Depression hit it became legalized because a lot of people had no way of making money. Even bingo was made into a "criminalized" activity. Then by 1933 betting on horse races seemed to have come back into style. Once they started to get to work on preventing illegal gambling a lot of mobsters moved o the west coast.
- If you fast-forward through all of the acts of creating more legal and illegal forms of gambling you get to the most recent legalized form of gambling: the lottery. With this being the last form of gambling that has made a big difference there is always the question: what will happen next?
The Biology of the Gambling Addiction
Treatment Options
Below is a 21 day treatment plan from the Williamsville Wellness center.
21 DAY GAMBLING PROGRAM
Main Goal: Problem Assessment and Future Planning, with opportunities to learn and practice recovery management skills and address all areas of your individualized treatment plan.
Our 21 Day Gambling Program provides an in-depth focus on aspects of Compulsive Gambling and how to attain active recovery from gambling addiction. The program starts with sessions that focus on the root of the addiction, particularly its severity and potential triggers. We will also conduct mental health screening, psychological testing and provide a diagnosis before creating an individualized recovery plan for the client. Further psychological testing, as well as management of medical and mental health issues will give clients a chance to put their aftercare plan into practice prior to leaving.
What you can expect:
- A total of around 60 individual sessions
- To have about 45 group sessions
- Includes Family/Partner sessions, on site or by phone
In the 21 Day Program we will focus on:
- An in-depth assessment of your gambling history, severity, triggers, and signs of relapse
- Screening for co-occurring mental health problems through psychological testing and psychiatric evaluation
- Addressing mental health problems through therapy techniques aimed at teaching: coping skills, communication skills, motivation for change, emotion regulation, impulse control, reducing procrastination, and anger management
- Providing education on the brain and body effects of gambling addiction, codependency, and assistance handling financial and legal problems
- Introduction to the 12-Steps of Gamblers’ Anonymous and SMART Recovery
- Emphasis on medical management issues
- Physical health through massage, exercise, yoga, and nutrition planning
- Helping you create an individualized recovery plan and aftercare appointments to continuing your success in recovery after discharge
Why Choose 21 Days?
- If you have co-occurring mental health or other issues needing adequate time to address in treatment
- Designed for people with medical management issues
- Work in-depth on family issues
- Receive adequate time to solidify your recovery and aftercare plan prior to leaving
Withdrawal Symptoms
Statistics
About 15% of Americans gamble at least once a week.
There have not been any deaths directly related to gambling. Some activities that may cause deaths are stealing, fighting, and even fire-setting all in the name of gambling.
I find it very interesting that according to a study, people in the US spend about $5 billion annually on gambling activities.