Kid sisters D.J. and Stephanie call their uncle Joey over to join them at the slot machines. They shout with joy that they just witnessed another visitor win the jackpot. Joey calms the girls down, telling them that gambling is never a good idea. To prove his point, he steps up to the machine in front of him and pulls the bar. They all watch as the images flash in front of him. He gets three of the same images and is rewarded with $10. Ecstatic, Joey switches his stance and advises his nieces to never quit while they’re ahead. Again, he pulls the lever, while D.J. and Stephanie watch with enthusiasm and approval.
“Gambling is the child of avarice, the brother of iniquity, and the father of mischief.” –George Washington
Some people gamble innocently and on occasion. Like Joey on Full House, they play the slots a few times while on vacation, or they give poker their best shot when in Vegas. But for some, gambling becomes an addiction. These individuals don’t play on rare occasion to have a little fun—they gamble often, and their wellbeing suffers because of it. They love the high they experience after winning a few bucks or simply from pressing their luck. Even Joey found it hard to stop spending his money on the slot machines after the first win went to his head.
The good news is that when gambling becomes an addiction, there is help available. Professional counseling has proven to help individuals who find it hard to step away from the slot machines, the poker table, or gambling corners online. If you think you might have a problem and need help with your gambling addiction, consider working with a licensed provider at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO. Our counselors and therapists are skilled, experienced, and caring. These qualifications enable them to help you effectively heal from your gambling addiction.
What Is Gambling Addiction? Do I Have a Problem?
As mentioned previously, some people gamble on occasion and do not suffer from the harmful effects of gambling addiction. So, what separates this occasional activity from a diagnosable addiction? While it isn’t always clear to those suffering with the addiction, the following often signify a gambling problem:
- You are always thinking about gambling: planning future gambling activities and pondering past gambling wins or losses
- You suffer when you are not gambling, e.g., you feel restless and/or irritable
- You continue to gamble even when your job, relationships, or other important areas of life are in jeopardy
- You continue to gamble even when it causes you financial trouble
- You try to win your money back through other means of gambling
- You lie to others about your gambling activity
- You gamble to remedy anxious, depressive, or other difficult thoughts and feelings
To be diagnosed with a gambling addiction, you must meet at least four of the above criteria set forth by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). That said, even if you aren’t experiencing four or more of these symptoms, you could be headed down a dark and dangerous path. Fortunately, a counselor at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO can help you address and manage your gambling problem—whether you’ve been diagnosed with gambling addiction, meet the criteria for gambling addiction, or are inching toward a gambling problem. Whatever the case, they will help you to change your problematic behaviors.
Set Up an Appointment with a Gambling Addiction Counselor at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO
It’s important you get help for your gambling problem, so as to prevent it from worsening and to heal as quickly as possible from the harmful effects. The first step in doing so is setting up an appointment with a skilled, experienced mental health professional who can help you on your healing journey. To set up an appointment at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO, just give us a call at (720) 358-3864. A scheduling specialist will greet you and ask you a few questions to determine which provider can best help you. Here’s what you can expect when you call:
- A quick response time: When you give us a call during extended business hours, a scheduling specialist will answer promptly. As mentioned previously, they’ll ask a few questions first to determine which counselor or therapist can help you and your unique situation. They will also consider the provider’s availability, so as to get you in as soon as possible.
- Flexible scheduling: Our providers get that sometimes the Monday-Friday daytime appointments don’t work—which is why we offer flexible scheduling, as in we have evening and weekend appointments available in addition to the “normal” hours. We also offer online counseling as well as in-person sessions.
- Quality customer care: The providers at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO truly care about the wellbeing of their clients. They went through an extensive screening process, which means you can place complete trust and confidence in your counselor. They know how to help you, and they’re eager to do so.
Are you ready to schedule an appointment and get help for your gambling addiction? Give us a call at Thriveworks in Littleton, CO. We look forward to meeting you and beginning this important work together.
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