Gambling Addiction Treatment Princeton NJ

Gambling can be a fun activity every once in a while. But compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is a serious condition that can destroy lives. A gambling disorder happens when you have the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling, despite negative consequences. Gambling can stimulate reward centers in the brain, leading to a full-blown addiction.

Treating compulsive gambling isn’t easy, but there are effective therapies that can help. CTRLCare Behavioral Health offers professional gambling addiction treatment in Princeton NJ that involves medication and behavioral therapy. With our treatment, you can stop the cycle of gambling and lead a full, productive life. Contact our admissions team today to learn more.

How Common are Gambling Addictions?

The National Council on Problem Gaming (NCPG) estimates that approximately 5 million Americans meet the criteria for compulsive gambling. However, only about 8 percent of this population will seek help for their problem.

Even though gambling addictions are challenging, they respond well to treatment once identified. The key is to break this destructive cycle and help people regain control over their lives. As with other addictions, gambling has a root cause that drives this behavior.

It’s also important to mention that gambling takes on many forms, so you might not even be aware that you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling disorder. At one time, bets were confined to casinos and racetracks, but today, people can gamble without ever leaving their home.

Why is Gambling So Addictive?

Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system just like drugs and alcohol can. Usually, people start gambling because it’s fun and exciting. They might need the money, crave the ‘high’ that comes from winning and/or enjoy the intense gambling scene. As the brain’s reward system is stimulated, people keep going back for more to get the same rush of pleasure.

Over time, the habit of gambling turns compulsive. You might think that you can control your gambling, but in reality, your gambling is controlling you. As you become dependent on gambling, you may continually chase bets, deplete savings, accumulate debt and hide your behavior from others.

CTRLCare Gambling Addiction Treatment Princeton, New Jersey
There are also some risk factors that can make you more likely to develop a gambling addiction:

  • Age and sex. Compulsive gambling is more common in younger and middle-aged people. It’s also more common in men than women.
  • Mental health disorders. If you have another mental health disorder, such as a substance use problem, personality disorder or depression, you’re at a higher risk for developing a gambling addiction.
  • Peer pressure. Hanging around friends or family who frequently gamble makes you more likely to develop gambling problems yourself.
  • Personality traits. There are also some personality traits that can raise the risk for gambling problems such as being highly competitive, impulsive, restless or easily bored.

How to Tell if You Have a Problem with Gambling

As with other addictions, it’s not always easy to tell when gambling goes from a fun hobby to a compulsive problem. Remember, people with addiction believe they have everything under control, when in reality, they do not.

Here are some of the signs that you may be struggling with a gambling disorder:

  • Asking others to bail you out of financial trouble
  • Being preoccupied with gambling
  • Chasing losses
  • Gambling to escape your problems
  • Lying to others about the extent of your gambling
  • Lying or stealing to get more money to gamble
  • Needing to gamble with more money to get the same thrill
  • Trying to cut back on gambling without success

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Is There a Way to Treat a Gambling Disorder?

While there is no single cure for gambling, a gambling disorder responds well to medication, group therapy and behavioral therapy in New Jersey. CTRLCare Behavioral Health offers comprehensive treatment for gambling addictions, and we can treat co-occurring conditions at the same time.

When you seek gambling addiction treatment in Princeton NJ, a personalized treatment plan will be created for you. It will address your unique needs and goals for the future. The therapies that work best are:

  • Behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapies help you unlearn unhealthy behaviors and replace them with new, healthy ones. You will also learn how to identify irrational, negative beliefs and reduce your urge to gamble.
  • Medication. Antidepressants and mood stabilizers can help treat some of the problems that go along with compulsive gambling, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • Self-help groups. Talking with others who also have a gambling addiction can be beneficial to your recovery. Plus, you’ll meet new people who you can share new activities with.
CTRLCare Gambling Addiction Treatment Princeton, NJ

Start Gambling Addiction Treatment in New Jersey

If you are ready to start your recovery from a gambling addiction, CTRLCare Behavioral Health is here for you. We offer evidence-based therapies, medication and holistic therapies like sandplay and play therapy. Finding new activities is important, as they will take the place of unhealthy activities like gambling. To start your recovery, contact our admissions team today.

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CTRLCare Behavioral Health

29 Emmons Drive, Suite G-30
Princeton, NJ 08540

(609) 237-0088

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