The Raleigh House provides treatment for people who struggle with non-substance use disorders such as gambling. We also help people struggling with any activity or area in life that’s causing harmful physical, psychological, or social effects.
What are Non-Substance Use or Behavioral Addictions?
Behavioral addictions, sometimes known as process addictions, such as gambling disorders are impulsive and compulsive engagement in activities that produce a reward response in the brain. These behaviors persist even when normal life function becomes severely impaired as a result.
These behavioral addictions start just as addiction to alcohol or drugs do–neurotransmitters and other chemicals flood your brain when someone with an affinity to addiction participates in these activities. Though most people can engage in such behaviors without becoming addicted, vulnerable individuals can find themselves taking part in these activities to an unhealthy degree. This can even result in withdrawal symptoms when trying to break the addiction such as agitation, trouble sleeping, irritability, and personality changes.
Ultimately, the need to engage in these addictive behaviors can lead to dire consequences, including loss of income, severe debt, alienation from friends and family, legal challenges, and even serious medical conditions.
Gambling Disorder: Common Signs and Symptoms
One of the most commonly treated non-substance use disorders is gambling. A 2016 study found that nearly 3% of US adults have a gambling disorder. How do you know if you or a loved one is struggling with gambling?
Here are the most common signs and symptoms:
- Spending extended periods planning gambling activities
- Increasing the amount of money used for gambling in the attempt to replicate the reward response
- Experiencing stress, anxiousness, or irritability when unable to gamble
- Concealing losses from loved ones by lying or deception
- Gambling to fill an emotional void or mitigate feelings of depression, stress, or guilt
- Committing ethical breaches or crimes to acquire money for gambling, conceal losses, or repay debts
- Putting friendships, family relationships, and professional relationships in jeopardy as a result of continued gambling
- Requiring financial assistance as a result of continual losses
- Continually trying and failing to stop gambling
Treating gambling disorders and other behavioral addictions requires consistent therapeutic intervention. Addressing behavioral addiction and co-occurring emotional disorders offers the best chances of successful outcomes in the long term.
Other Non-substance Addictions
Along with gambling, people can struggle with a wide range of activities or areas in life.
Here are just a few other areas people struggle with:
- Exercise
- Food
- Hypersexuality
- Internet
- Internet gaming
- Shopping
Behavioral Addiction Treatment
Fortunately, there are highly effective treatments for gambling disorders and other behavioral addictions with co-occurring emotional disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that a dual diagnostic approach involving cognitive behavioral therapy, talk therapy, group therapy, and targeted addiction treatment can lead to successful long-term outcomes.
Those struggling with behavioral addiction can also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders or substance use. Treatment professionals often diagnose and treat these disorders while also creating a treatment plan for behavioral addiction.
At The Raleigh House, we specialize in providing personalized, structured, and compassionate treatment plans to patients with co-existing addictive disorders and mental health challenges.
If you are struggling with gambling or any area in your life, we can help. Our team will create a customized system of holistic therapeutic interventions and targeted treatment that addresses the core causes of your disorder. We strive to offer the strategies and resources you need to understand your situation better and successfully manage your condition for the long term.
Get Help at Colorado’s The Raleigh House
The team at The Raleigh House provides multidisciplinary addiction expertise that helps patients live healthier, happier, more rewarding lives.
We understand the fears and emotional trauma surrounding all forms of addiction. If you need help overcoming the struggles you’re dealing with, please give us a call today.
The first step on the road to recovery is the hardest. We can help.
