Gambling Addiction Counselling
I help people stop their Gambling Disorder, Problems and Gambling Addiction. Call me now if your gambling is costing you more than just money
For private Gambling Addiction counselling call 01227 290 098. Gambling help is available. Gambling addiction and compulsive gambling are treatable conditions. I provide gambling treatment for problems with gambling. I will help you find a way out of your problem. In order to change your compulsive gambling disorder ,you must first the extent of your gambling problem. I will help you talk about the truth. Others can tell you what they see and think, but only you can act on it.
Call 01227 290 098 now for am appointment.
Gambling addiction isolates us from everyone we love and from all we care about. I will help you get on the road to recovery. I treat gambling problems. Is it time for you to change?
Gambling Help
I provide a private one to one therapy programme for addicted gamblers. My service includes a tailor-made programme that can either be day-patient based or weekly face to face sessions. Most of my clients prefer an initial block of half day sessions to help them get over their initial difficulties. The programme runs two or three afternoons per week for 3 weeks, with follow on therapy to help to adjust to a gambling free life.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction removes choice, self-belief, sex drive, intimacy, honesty, open mindedness, willingness to learn, families, houses, jobs, cars, your inheritance and the inheritance of your children, sometimes all of them go in one night. No other addiction has the capacity to be so destructive so quickly. It absolutely devastates lives and families. It has the capacity to affect our loved ones and children’s futures in ways that surpasses imagination.
It is not simply a ‘label’ as some ‘ill informed therapists’ term it; it is a real addiction. Nor is the solving of it simply a matter of changing one’s ‘belief’about decision making and choices or improving one’s ‘weak’ will power. As an experienced gambling addiction therapist I will help you identify the physical, psychological and well ‘being’ factors that make up the condition.The neurological properties of addiction have been likened to those of cocaine addiction and other addictions. Indeed it is common for gambling addiction and another addiction to go hand in hand, common – but by no means the rule. Gambling is listed as a ‘disorder’ in the DSM V (Gambling Disorder – The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders). The World Health Organisation also recognise and list pathological gambling in their classification of mental and behavioural disorders, the ICD-10.
Residential Rehabilitation for Gamblers
Rehab for Gamblers can sometimes be the only way to initially separate the gambler from their compulsive behaviour, irate debtors and immediate consequences. Rehab is not an escape. Our Gambling clinics can provide the perfect environment to stop, assess and begin to re construct. We provide rehab for gamblers whose case is most severe, requiring expert medical assistance in the initial phase.
The costs associated with a severe compulsive gambling disorder can catastrophic both to the gambler and their loved ones. They can include the development of other addictions, fraud, betrayal, bankruptcy and suicide, all as a direct result of the impulse to gamble.
David Goodlad has worked with, trained and supervised some of the leading therapists in this field. His approach is pragmatic and compassionate. He operates a proven programme that will support and encourage.
Current NHS estimates are that at least 450,000 people in the UK suffer with gambling problems. Below there is a set of statements reflecting attitudes towards compulsive gambling. This Gambling Questionnaire is designed to you help consider your own compulsive gambling problem.
Compulsive Gambling Questionnaire
If you are concerned about your gambling problem, consider these simple statements:
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I have gambled despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or opportunity.
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I have unsuccessfully attempted to reduce my gambling.
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I try to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
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I have asked or wanted to ask family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of my gambling.
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I feel agitated and uncomfortable when I cannot gamble
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I am obsessed with thinking about gambling
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I have frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
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I require larger or more frequent ‘bets’ to experience the same “rush”.
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I am restless and/or irritable when I try to stop or reduce gambling.
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I can sometimes gamble to improve how I feel or to try and escape problems.
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I hide or have hid the extent my gambling by lying to family, friends, or others.
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I have broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses.
If you answer yes to three or more of the questions above, call 01227 290 098 or
email office@davidgoodlad.anewwebdesign.co.uk for an appointment.
Call today before you lose more than just money.
Sometimes residential gambling rehab is the preferred option. David Goodlad supervises rehab staff and is able to offer information on choices available and provide suitable face to face aftercare. David also consults to the Priory Clinic Canterbury.
We can help you with a free assessment. There are many gambling clinics that offer gambling treatment programmes. Not all treatment units are the same or as intensive. Most addiction treatment clinics will not be treatment programme specific for gambling.
Adolescent Gambling problems are 2 – 4 times more prevalent than in the adult gambling population. I can help you identify the problem, identify the opportunities to gamble, identify what can be done and identify the underlying gambling causes and conditions. Help with adolescent gambling problems is provided in a safe and confidential setting in the heart of Canterbury, Kent. An assessment of the frequency and severity of the adolescent gambling problem is undertaken, with clear cut guidance provided as to how treatment can help.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS about problem gambling
QUESTION: You have to gamble everyday to be a problem gambler.
ANSWER: As with other addictions, a problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. Again as with other addictions, the frequency is not as important as the impact of the gambling. If a person’s gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal, or other difficulties for themselves or the people around them, then they have a gambling problem.
QUESTION: Problem gambling is easy to recognise.
ANSWER: Problem gambling has been called the hidden addiction. It is very easy to hide as it has few recognisable symptoms, unlike alcohol and drug use. Many problem gamblers themselves do not recognize they have a gambling problem. Problem gamblers often cannot see the extent of their problem.
QUESTION: Problem gamblers gamble at every opportunity and on any form of gambling.
ANSWER: Most problem gamblers have a favourite form of gambling that causes them problems. Some gamblers also engage in secondary forms of gambling, but these are not usually as problematic. However they often come to the fore as a problem when the primary form is avoided.
QUESTION: Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.
ANSWER: Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. If a person’s gambling is interfering with their ability to act in accordance with their values, then there is a problem. Honesty is often doubted. For example, too much time spent on gambling means less time to spend with family, friends, and others; or perhaps this is time stolen if the gambling is hidden, It can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships. It can lead to loved ones feeling betrayed.
QUESTION: Problem gamblers are irresponsible people.
ANSWER: Many problem gamblers hold, or have held, responsible vocational or community positions. In addition, even people with a long history of responsible behaviour are vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. When a person is having a problem gambling episode, that person is unable to control their gambling and in this compromised state their actions look like irresponsible behaviour.
QUESTION: Children are not affected by problem gambling.
ANSWER: Surveys show that about 10% to 15% of American and Canadian youth have experienced gambling-related problems, and 1% to 6% of these individuals may satisfy diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. Additionally, children of problem gamblers have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing health-threatening behaviours. This includes alcohol and drug use, problem gambling, eating disorders, depression and suicide.
QUESTION: Partners of problem gamblers often drive problem gamblers to gamble.
ANSWER: As with other addicts, problem gamblers are skilled in finding ways to rationalise their gambling. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for actions, including actions needed to overcome the gambling problem.
QUESTION: Financial problems are the main reason that problem gambler’s relationships break down.
ANSWER: It is true that money problems play an important part in ending relationships. However, many non-gambling partners say that the lies, sense of betrayal and the lack of trust is the biggest cause.
QUESTION: Parents of problem gamblers are to blame for their children’s behaviour.
ANSWER: Many parents of problem gamblers feel hurt and guilty about their son’s or daughter’s gambling behaviour, but they are not to blame.
QUESTION: If a problem gambler builds up a debt, the important thing to do is to help them get out of the financial problem as soon as possible.
ANSWER: Quick fix solutions are often attractive to everyone involved and may appear to be the right thing to do. However, “bailing” the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue. Always seek professional help and guidance.
For a private consultation with a fully qualified Psychological therapist call 01227 290 098 or email office@davidgoodlad.anewwebdesign.co.uk
(Grateful thanks to Chris Lobsinger)
We specialise and promote total abstinence from problem gambling.
Gamcare is a charity for people who wish to control their gambling problem. Unlike Gamcare we only treat addicted gamblers who wish to stop completely. Gamcare can offer online counselling, we only offer face to face gambling addiction counselling. Gamcare offers online help, we only provide one to one counselling for compulsive gambling. www.gamcare
Gamblers Anonymous Kent is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers to do the same. Gamblers anonymous meetings in Kent are always in a group format, no last names are used and meetings are open to anyone who thinks they have a gambling problem. All Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings are free, it is not a religious organisation. www.gamblersanonymous (At the time of writing this the nearest GA meeting to Kent is probably in either the South East London area, on the south coast or in Essex)
DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria: Gambling Disorder
- A persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period:
- The patient needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement.
- The patient is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling.
- The patient has made repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling.
- The patient is often preoccupied with gambling (e.g., having persistent thoughts of reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble).
- The patient often gambles when feeling distressed (e.g., helpless, guilty, anxious, depressed). After losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even (“chasing” one’s losses).
- The patient lies to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling.
- The patient has jeopardised or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling.
- The patient relies on others to provide money to relieve desperate financial situations caused by gambling.
- The patient’s gambling behaviour is not better explained by a manic episode.
Specify if:
Episodic: If the patient meets diagnostic criteria at more than one time point, with symptoms subsiding between periods of gambling disorder for at least several months.
Persistent: If the patient is experiencing continuous symptoms; to meet diagnostic criteria for multiple years.
Specify if:
In early remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met by the patient for at least 3 months but for less than 12 months.
In sustained remission: After full criteria for gambling disorder were previously met, none of the criteria for gambling disorder have been met by the patient during a period of 12 months or longer.
Specify current severity:
Mild: 4–5 criteria met by the patient.
Moderate: 6–7 criteria met by the patient.
Severe: 8–9 criteria met by the patient
Psychiatric Assessments in Harley Street London are available now please contact me for more information.