How to Get Help for Gambling Problems
Overview
Gambling can be a fun way to spend an evening with your friends. Many people, however, get to the point where they cannot stop gambling. This is when the activity changes from a hobby to an addiction. An addiction to gambling can be a very serious matter. Individuals with gambling addictions have been known to sacrifice their financial well being and even their families.
Step 1
Find a local meeting of Gamblers Anonymous, a 12-step program aimed at ending gambling addictions. Log onto the International Directory portion of the GA website. Then, click the link for the state that you live in. Read the information on the state carefully as there may be links and phone numbers at the very top of the page. Scroll down the page to find the contact information for a Gamblers Anonymous meeting near you. You can also call the national Gamblers Anonymous hotline at (888) 424-3577.
Step 2
Contact the National Council on Problem Gambling. This organization offers treatment and counseling for gambling addiction as well as educational programs dealing with the subject of gambling addiction. Go to http://www.ncpgambling.org and place your cursor over the "Problem Gamblers" link on the left side of the page. Click the "Help by State" link and you will be taken to a map of the U.S. Click the link for your state and you will find contact information for a NCPG organization in that state. You can also call the national hotline at (800) 522-4700.
Step 3
Log onto the Gambling Addiction portion of the Keystone Treatment Center website, http://www.keystonetreatment.com. The Keystone Treatment Center offers both inpatient and outpatient treatment for people dealing with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction. You can call the Keystone Treatment Center 24 hours at day at (877) 762-3740. You can also chat with a representative online by clicking the "Live Chat" tab found on the right side of the page.
Step 4
Call your doctor about your gambling problem. Many people are surprised to learn that their gambling condition stems from another condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder. If your doctor finds that this is the case, he or she may prescribe medication that will help you deal with your gambling addiction as well as the underlying condition.
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Contact a psychiatrist or mental health specialist for more help once you have completed any treatment program. A gambling addiction can be re-triggered by many different emotional factors and these experts can help you deal with these issues. By getting more help after your original treatment, you can increase the odds that you will not stumble back into your gambling addiction.
Acquaint yourself with the signs of gambling problems (see Resources below). This will help you to know when you or somebody you know should reach out to a third party for help.
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A gambling problem is a very serious issue. If you believe that you or somebody you know has a problem with gambling, seek help immediately.
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Resources