With the current pandemic situation of our country, and world for that matter, many people have had more time on their hands at home. While cleaning, organizing, and remodeling our home may be a nice option to do for some. For others, gaming and gambling behavior may become more frequent and even turn into a deep addiction. Approximately 10 million people in the United States live with a gambling addiction problem. Hence why it is imperative for you or a loved one, potentially battling gambling addiction, to see the signs before it’s too late. Once signs and behaviours of addiction have been observed and established, the next step is to seek treatment immediately.
Maui Recovery is a renowned center that specializes in gambling addiction treatment, amongst other forms of addiction and rehabilitation. Our programs work with many struggling families to get the gambling addiction treatment help for their troubled loved ones they need.
Most addicted individuals have a hard time admitting that they have a gambling addiction and refuse to acknowledge a problem. Unfortunately, even if they can no longer pay their bills or even frequently pawn personal possessions to get more money they need to gamble. But, for some they know when they have hit rock bottom and need some assistance with gambling addiction treatment. No matter what the stage, if you or someone you care for is seeking gambling addiction treatment, we can help. Maui Recovery is there to help you dig out the shame and deep pain hiding under the surface, and put you on the road to recovery.
What Exactly Is Gambling Addiction?
So how does a person know whether they have a healthy want to gamble, or if they in fact have an addiction that needs treatment? Gambling addiction is the uncontrollable urge to continue gambling, despite the toll it takes on a person’s life. Gambling is addictive because it stimulates the brain’s reward system much like drugs or alcohol can. In fact, gambling addiction is the most common impulse control disorder worldwide. The psychiatric community generally used to regard pathological gambling as more of a compulsion than an addiction. Behavior motivated by the need to relieve anxiety rather than a craving for intense pleasure. But, in the 1980s, classification changed while updating the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) officially classified pathological gambling as an impulse-control disorder. Quite a fuzzy label for a group of somewhat related illnesses that, at the time, included kleptomania, pyromania and even trichotillomania. After a landmark decision, the association moved pathological gambling to the addictions chapter in the manual’s published 2013 edition, the DSM-5. After 15 years of deliberation, the decision reflects a new understanding of the biology underlying addiction. One that has already changed the way psychiatrists help people who suffer from gambling addiction. But no doubt about it, gambling addiction for some is much deeper than just a compulsion. Hence why if you or a loved one show a need for gambling addiction treatment, seeking assistance is key.
Why Lack Of Gambling Addiction Treatment Can Affect A Community Negatively
Studies have shown that more than $6 billion has been lost each year to gambling addictions. This problem is far-reaching and can cause both individuals and companies to panic and act in ways they would not normally act. Gambling addictions also place a severe hardship on prison systems, public assistance programs, and legal systems. There can or will be many unfortunate consequences of gambling addictions that result in community economic costs. Some community gambling addiction dangers include; increased rates of unemployment, bankruptcy, fraud and check forgery, forced home sales, increased alcohol and drug abuse, poor mental and physical health of individuals and families within the community. Seeking gambling addiction treatment is the best thing an individual can do for themselves, family and friends they love, and their own community.
Behaviors And Signs That Signal A Need For Gambling Addiction Treatment
People who struggle with a gambling or shopping problem often hide their issues out of shame and a desire for secrecy. This often delays recovery and treatment and allows a gambling addiction to lead to other serious effects, including loss of jobs, failed relationships, and severe debt. Problem gambling is often associated with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Gambling problems don’t just affect mental health, they can affect every aspect of a person’s life. People who have struggled with gambling addiction benefit greatly from treatment, and often also need family counseling and financial coaching to fully recover. Those addicted to gambling, whether in person or online, exhibit the same signs as any other addicted person.
Signs of addiction to gambling can include:
- Obsession with gambling, seems to always be on their mind.
- Withdrawal symptoms when not gambling or in a similar environment.
- Developing tolerance and creates excuses to spend more time gambling.
- The person has not been successful when attempting to limit or stop gambling.
- The person lacks interest in activities and hobbies that are not gambling related.
- The person continues to gamble, even though they recognize the harmful impact it has on their relationships, financials, and life in general.
- The person lies about their gambling actions.
- The person uses gambling as a way to escape, or relief from anxiety or guilt.
- The person has severe financial troubles due to gambling loss.
Ignoring Signs Of Gambling Addiction Is Dangerous
Research has shown that those seeking drug or gambling addiction treatment share many of the same genetic predispositions for reward seeking and impulsivity. So it’s no surprise that gambling addicts crave more and more wins, just as substance addicts crave increasingly stronger hits to get high. Leaving some addicted gamblers to pursue even greater and riskier ventures for that same win or high. Likewise, both kinds of addicted individuals endure symptoms of withdrawal when separated from their source of high. There are even a few studies which suggest that some people are especially vulnerable to both drug addiction and compulsive gambling because their reward circuitry is inherently underactive. Hence, partially explaining why individuals who need gambling addiction treatment seek big thrills in the first place. The high or thrill is what keeps the addicted individual coming back for more, even at the highest cost. The effects of a gambling addiction are often quite clear and painful to observe. A large number of people who need gambling addiction treatment will max-out their credit cards and debit cards to pay casinos or internet gambling organizations. Leaving the addicted individuals to most likely incur debt, damage relationships of all kinds, and lose sight of life goals. Hence why ignoring signs that point toward gambling addiction can be so dangerous.
There are many unfortunate ways that an untreated gambling addiction can change an individuals’ life. Family problems are very common, as almost all addicted gamblers have issues at home with their family because of their addiction. Issues with co-workers, friends, neighbors, and the community as a whole can be affected. Financial devastation is almost always inevitable and unavoidable. Individuals who need gambling addiction treatment will go to extreme measures to get the money or resources they need to gamble. Many addicted individuals eventually resort to stealing, taking out large loans, or other desperate means that are out-of-character. Job loss is very high among gambling addicts. Gambling addiction may lead an individual to miss work, or come to work distracted leaving them vulnerable to being fired or let go. Gambling addictions will interfere with work relations, promotions, and employment. But, no matter how bad a gambling addiction has become, it is possible to turn things around. Maui Recovery is one the best options an individual has for seeking gambling addiction treatment that works.
Glimpse Into A Gambling Addiction Treatment Facility
Although most gambling addiction treatment centers may differ in programs, strategies, and environments- most will provide the same general outline of a typical day. If you are only used to traditional recovery centers, you might think of rehab in the classic sense where day-to-day programming might look something like this:
- Wake up and read a devotional.
- Eat breakfast.
- Attend a group.
- Meet with a counselor.
- Eat lunch.
- Take a short break or do activity.
- Attend the next group.
- Listen to a speaker.
- Eat dinner.
- Attend a meeting.
- Prepare for bed/rest.
But, here at Maui Recovery, we don’t make rigid schedules like this. We understand the importance that each individual recovers at their own pace. And while there are many patients who do better in a recovery setting that is fast-paced, others benefit more when they have more time to reflect, plan, and introspect. At Maui Recovery, we believe that the best success occurs when each patient is fully involved in his or her own recovery. We believe there is a strong importance for balance in a clients path to recovery. While some clients prefer to stay busy in rehab, a lot of clients tend to get burnt out from transitioning. The extremes of gambling addiction environments to the extremes of intense rehabilitation programs can be quite a shock to the system. Balance is the key to finding one’s self, and learning to accept life on life’s terms. Balance is the key to finding inner peace, healing, and recovery that lasts. To promote better balance, Maui Recovery provides a wide range of programs and activities that are designed to help our patients flourish. This includes:
- Wellness infusions.
- Emotional healing.
- Adventure therapy.
- Spirituality & mindfulness.
- Outrigger canoeing.
- Health, wellness, and fitness activities.
- Daily support from staff specialists.
At Maui Recovery, our goal is to help our patients put an end to gambling addiction and dependency once and for all. Located on the beautiful shores of Kihei, Maui Recovery is a Hawaii recovery center in a secured, gated facility. Hawaii is Heaven on Earth, and Maui Recovery is a little slice of that paradise! Both the inside and outside of Maui Recovery are spacious and luxurious, providing the ideal setting for recovery. When people choose Maui Recovery for gambling addiction, they benefit from peace and tranquility comparable to no other recovery center. Join us, and let us show you who many others have benefited from rehab at Maui Recovery.
Maui Recovery Naturally Operates In Accordance With Pandemic Requirements
At Maui Recovery we understand that there is a lot of fear and concern regarding COVID-19; however, we want to assure you that our program has always been an ideal setup to deal with issues such as this. At Maui Recovery we are a coed 8 bed customized program based upon Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. While other centers scramble to adapt, we have always specialized in small and personal recovery programming. Our residents attend inhouse AA, NA, Refuge Recovery and Smart Recovery Meetings. A large portion of our programming involves our adventure guides helping residents find their true self in secluded nature adventures exploring the magical Island of Maui, away from tourists. While other programs are forced to create a new program strategy in this crisis, at Maui Recovery we continue with normal programming, as we already have the perfect system in place. We provide the perfect environment for anyone seeking gambling addiction treatment during a pandemic situation.
Our core values at Maui Recovery are what make our facility and staff members stand out from the rest. We focus on compassion for the person struggling with gambling addiction as well as their family. We genuinely care about our Ohana (family) and maintaining a sacred living community for gambling addiction treatment. We offer assistance for addicted individuals in their recovery journey and aftercare. Maui Recovery provides patience for an individual’s process. Not everyone goes at the same speed, but we honor & acknowledge the individual progress. Our focus is in healing the Whole Self through recovery, wellness, mindfulness and spirituality. Including helping with the healing process of the entire family.
Reaching out today for yourself, your loved one, or friend you care about is the best step you can take in helping the world today in healing from gambling addiction. You can contact us by phone at 877-317-8260 or feel free to send us an e-mail at: intake@mauirecovery.com We look forward to helping you or a loved one.
