Gambling Addiction and Drug Addiction: Are They Connected?

Statistically, dual diagnosis treatment has shown to be much more effective than treating gambling addiction and drug addiction as separate conditions. The two are very much related to each other, and in most cases, recovering from drug addiction is not possible unless the underlying, root cause of the gambling addiction is also taken into consideration. This is what dual diagnosis treatment does for those who have these types of co-occurring disorders.

There are many clinics that will treat one addiction or the other, but very few that will provide treatment for co-occurring disorders. This involves:

• Making sure patients have a diagnosis that fits their symptoms
• Creating a treatment plan that will address the needs of each, individual patient
• Providing medication therapy and adjustments in light of the patient's drug addiction
• Offering therapy that will address the core issue behind the addiction to promote recovery
• Providing group therapy as a way to offer peer counseling, which has been proven to be effective in all kinds of addiction treatment
• Ensuring that patients have continuing care for co-occurring disorders

Dual diagnosis treatment has been a game-changer when it comes to addiction recovery. So many people suffer from more than just addiction, and it doesn't help them to only address their addictions.

Unfortunately, the answer to this is no. There is no cure for compulsive gambling. This is because doctors have deemed it to be a disease, much like heart disease or kidney disease. It needs to be treated, and it is possible for a gambler to move into a state of recovery. This means not participating in the active addiction any longer.

Sometimes people think that not being to quit gambling is due to a lack of willpower. Dr. Timothy Fong, co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program says otherwise. He states, “What one person calls a lack of willpower, I call a disease - a sign that the brain is not working properly. There are brain changes that explain why people can't stop. We're trying to find which parts of the brain are affected. Therapy and medications can help restore normalcy to the brain and improve one's ability to control these urges.”

Keep in mind that just because you have a gambling addiction, you're not destined to remain in it. It will remain, but you can move forward and change the way you live your life.

The temptation to try and beat your addiction on your own is probably quite strong. It might not seem as severe to you as an alcohol or drug addiction would. However, you need to know that it can be just as problematic and devastating to your life.

Sometimes people want to attempt to quit gambling on their own first, without professional treatment. They tell themselves that if they fail, they'll seek out help at that time. More often than not, they end up suffering from a relapse. This is for a number of different reasons, including:

• They don't have any support. Even with loving families, there has been a lot of pain inflicted because of the addiction. This can cause a lot of strain and make recovery difficult.
• They are still suffering from other type of addiction. Drug addiction or alcoholism can make it really hard for someone to stop gambling.
• They don't know how to cope without the addiction. Treatment teaches you what to do instead of gambling.
• They don't know the root cause of the problem. This is why rehab is so important.
• They need help to deal with the disease component of the addiction.

The best way to overcome a gambling addiction is to get professional help. Otherwise a relapse is to be expected.