Gambling Addiction Therapy

Gambling addiction can take many forms including online poker, day trading, casino gambling, lottery, sports betting, etc. The DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for Pathological Gambling [312.31] are listed below. Presence of at least 3 of the following signs or symptoms are sufficient for the diagnosis.

• Preoccupation Preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
• Tolerance Needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
• Withdrawal Is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
• Escape Gambles as a way of escaping from problems or relieving distress (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety or depression)
• Chasing After losing money gambling Often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing one's losses"). Chasing is a classical behavior pattern characterizing pathological gambling.
• Lying Lies to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
• Illegal acts Has committed illegal acts (e.g., forgery, fraud, theft or embezzlement) in order to finance gambling
• Risked significant relationship Has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
• Bailout Has relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
• Loss of control Has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling
  

The Exercise of Will

The reason it is called Pathological Gambling is that the gambling behavior produces more costs than benefits. This web site contains, free of charge, a wide range of strategies, tactics, and specific tools to help high-functioning gamblers [at least college level reading ability] follow their path of greatest advantage rather than yield in the direction of least resistance.

For gamblers who fall back into gambling despite their intention to quit or control their betting behavior, the first task is to discover what causes them to relapse despite their sincere intention not to. This answer is different for each gambler. You can assess your particular vulnerabilities by using the Trap Detector - a quick screening self-test that is scored on your computer - that will tell you which of the 6 addictive traps is most critical for you.

There are many other free resources on this web site; please take advantage of them. If you find this approach (which emphasizes enhancing the power of your will rather than admitting powerlessness) to be well matched with your attributes and circumstances, you are likely to respond well to our treatment and relapse prevention manual: The Path of Greatest Advantage.

This is a self-guided approach and can be used independently or in collaboration with Dr. Dubin via chat, email, or phone. (Gamblers who live in Austin or the Central Texas area have the option of a face-to-face collaboration). For information please call us at: (512) 343-8307.