• Alcohol and gambling have been a marriage made in heaven since the first casinos appeared on the Las Vegas Strip. Gambling venues have long provided a safe environment for playing games and drinking at the same time. And the way the large gambling establishments keep the players coming back is by providing free drinks at the slot machines.
  • Last February, Jack Whatmough extended his Portsmouth contract until the summer of 2021. Portsmouth's Jack Whatmough says he battled alcohol and gambling problems while recovering from knee surgery.
  • Someone who struggles with a gambling addiction, for instance, may get intense pleasure from gambling, and suffer from cravings and emotional withdrawal symptoms when they stop gambling. Behavioral addictions can create a range of issues, just as drug and alcohol addiction can, including: Financial strain; Homelessness.

Aims To describe a set of standard questionnaire measures for the assessment of the needs of family members of relatives with alcohol, drug or gambling problems, and to present evidence of their reliability and validity from a series of related studies. Design Includes cross‐sectional and repeated‐measurement studies. The American Psychiatric Association notes that gambling disorder may predate the development of substance abuse issues, and perhaps the association between alcohol use disorder and gambling disorder reflects the availability of alcohol in casinos and other venues that individuals with gambling issues often frequent.

Gambling

Alcohol And Gambling Issues Addiction

PsychMed's Dr Jane Oakes recently joined our peer support forums for a special Q&A event on the relationship between alcohol use and gambling behaviours. Jane has extensive experience treating people experiencing gambling-related issues and addictions including drugs and alcohols. She has published articles and given invited presentations and workshops in this area both nationally and internationally. Many of our members feel that alcohol is a major trigger for them, so they took the opportunity to ask lots of helpful questions.

Alcohol And Gambling Issues

Answers have been prepared by Dr Jane Oakes, supported by Dr Quentin Black and assisted by Rachel Aves.

Check out her answers below:

I wonder if there is anything that you recommend for people looking to stop or cut down their gambling and their drinking at the same time?

I would firstly like to acknowledge the strength of people beginning the pathway to recovery. Just reading this section is a start to regaining control of your life.
An essential factor for recovery is support from those around you, including professionals with experience of helping people with gambling issues. When people stop gambling and drinking alcohol, they often experience a wide range of emotions, so reaching out for support at this time is essential. Just having someone to talk to about how you're feeling can help.
Furthermore, if you’re just beginning to question if gambling may be affecting you or a loved one, reaching out for support is essential, even though it may be daunting. Please do not let this stop you from reaching out. People who take this first step towards recovery admit once they reached out for help, they feel relief.
It is also important to have the correct information about issues related to gambling and alcohol. This information empowers people with essential tools and strategies to help someone or themselves.
I will discuss some other strategies in my answers to the questions below.

Could you discuss the biological association between alcohol and gambling?

It is common for people who are experiencing gambling-related problems to also have issues related to alcohol.
Alcohol and gambling have similar biological processes in common, including:

  • strong urges
  • overwhelming and intrusive thoughts
  • impulsivity and loss of control, and
  • feelings of irritability and agitation when you can’t drink or gamble.


It’s therefore not surprising that both behaviours involve the same biological mechanism where the ventral tegmentum releases the brain chemical Dopamine, which forms part of the brain's reward system. When people drink or gamble, the reward system is flooded with Dopamine, which makes the person feel good.


Dopamine is designed to make us feel good and reward positive and pro-social activities that are life sustaining so we repeat them. For example, engaging in activities such as procreating, eating healthy food, and drinking water. However, other activities like, eating a sweet dessert, listening to music, and exercising also release Dopamine.
When people engage in gambling and drinking alcohol, this also stimulates the Dopamine pathway but causes a surge of Dopamine. Over time this excessive release of Dopamine leads to cravings and a motivation to continue to gamble and drink alcohol. This creates and maintains gambling and alcohol problems because the urge to engage in these behaviours and feel the rush of Dopamine becomes overwhelming and difficult to resist.
Additionally, recent UK medical neuroimaging research has shown that alcohol and gambling behaviours light up the same regions of the brain called the Nucleus Accumbance. This region is involved in the reward centre, where emotions are processed.
With the correct psychological interventions these processes can be adjusted through the use of cognitive and behavioural techniques that can assist in reprogramming our thinking and eliminating urges.
If you are experiencing gamble-related issues, specialised treatment programs can be beneficial as they use best practice techniques that can help you to eliminate this behavioural response and regain control of your life.

How does alcohol hinder the road to gambling recovery? How hard is it to quit one without quitting the other?

Alcohol can exacerbate gambling problems by impacting on the gambler's ability to think clearly about their financial decisions and exercise their better judgement when gambling. The gambler becomes more disinhibited with poor impulse control when drinking alcohol and may gamble more than they were
initially prepared to bet.
Excessive use of alcohol further impairs the capacity for sound decision-making by damaging the parts of our brain responsible for reasoning and self-control, the frontal and prefrontal lobes. This allows the mesolimbic system, which is associated with primitive and instinctive urges, to operate without constraint. The result can be impulsive choices and behaviours, such as uncontrolled gambling and other pleasure-seeking behaviours.
It is at this time that the gambler is least likely to stop gambling once they have started until all their available money is spent. Realising they have spent more than intended often causes gamblers significant distress and they may be drawn to drink more alcohol in an attempt to escape this negative emotional distress.
Some of the feelings of shame and regret associated with these gambling harms will help fuel alcohol use.

How much of a cumulative risk does alcohol play when paired with problem gambling (mental health, relationships, the extent of gambling, recovery)?

Alcohol is strongly associated with impulsivity and increased acts of violence during use. Alcohol withdrawal and use is also strongly associated with irritability and has a corrosive effect on interpersonal relationships.
People with gambling-related problems have more significant physical and mental health problems than non‐problem gamblers. For example, they are more likely to have issues with alcohol and severe mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. Gambling and alcohol can provide some people experiencing these emotions a temporary escape, but this escape leads to more problems. Without professional support to deal with these mental health issues, recovery from gambling and alcohol can be affected, as people will turn to these behaviours as a way to cope.

Given that increased distress is correlated to continued gambling, how can loved ones support a problem gambler who refuses to seek outside help?

It is normal to find it frustrating and upsetting to help someone struggling with a gambling issue, especially when they refuse to seek help. Often when loved ones or close friends are caught in a cycle of dependency, it is reasonable to feel the need to be responsible for helping them. People in this position often feel helpless and powerless.
It is difficult to know how best to support those struggling with gambling, which is why it is crucial to seek support and sound advice. Talking to qualified, trained health professionals can help guide how best to assist the person in need of support without inadvertently facilitating the behaviour.
In these circumstances, when you may feel powerless to help just being available to listen and offer support is essential. At the same time, it is important to seek assistance for your own mental health if you are struggling, feeling distressed, or overwhelmed.

What surprised me was how my husband could hide his alcohol and gambling addiction in plain sight of me. We have since separated, and in hindsight, I can see clearly all the signs. Why do you think, as a partner that I was blinded to this for so long?

This is not an uncommon story. In our closest relationships we often do not want to so see the negative signs, and we naturally want to defend, make excuses, justify, and rationalise the behaviours we do not agree with or understand. It’s also a natural tendency for us to want to explain away and defend our partners, children, or even work colleagues’ behaviours.
Sometimes when support is offered we can respond negatively, leaving the significant other to be afraid to challenge or doubt their own observations.

One of the reasons we try to forgive and tolerate is that these values are an integral part of relationships and bad choices and behaviours result from dependence, poor decisions, and bad actions.
Remember that these bad choices and dependent behaviours do not mean the person is bad. We often want to be tolerant and offer forgiveness and support, as these are the good parts of a relationship. However, it is essential to remember that ultimately, we must not forget the person with the dependence needs to take personal responsibility for change.
It can take time for the person with the gambling or alcohol issue to develop insight that they have a problem and begin to take personal responsibility for seeking and engaging in help. For some, the continuing cycle of lapse and relapse becomes overwhelming for the significant other, and they come to the point where they need to consider their own mental and capacity to continue supporting the person.

It was difficult for me to come to terms with my blindness as I am one who values truth and honesty. Do you think perhaps I tricked my mind into believing everything was okay?

Gambling

People sometimes say they feel that they should have noticed a problem sooner. However, remember that the person gambling may have gone to great lengths to hide it from you. This is usually because the person with a gambling problem is trying desperately to win back the money they have lost. They become caught in a vicious cycle of trying to win the money back and once started, this cycle can be hard to break without professional help. Thoughts of winning back the money lost to pay off all debts can fuel an overwhelming desire or urge to gamble. This urge becomes difficult to resist and if money is available it can become impossible for some to stop the cycle.
You may see the signs of someone caught in this cycle, as their moods may fluctuate rapidly from extreme agitation to gambling to depression after the money is lost. At this time, the gambler may be faced with the consequences of their gambling. This can become too painful to tolerate so gambling becomes a focus in an attempt to win back the money and make everything okay. However, this rarely happens and the cycle is repeated. It is at this time the gambler often admits that money loses its value. Therefore, it is important that you ensure your finances are safe. Check out some measures you can take to protect your finances and assets:

  • Talking to a financial counsellor on 1800 007 007 they are open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm

Self-Care is Important

When supporting someone it is important that you take time out for yourself. Therefore, if you suspect someone close to you is having an issue with gambling, I encourage you to seek some support for yourself. Just having someone to listen to your concerns will help reduce your distress and provide you with some skills about how best to help the person you are worried about.
There are some great tips on this website to get you started.

Reaching Out for Support

You can call the Gambling Help counsellors today, it’s free, confidential and available 24/7 if you would like to have a chat or be referred to a gambling counsellor. Each state provides free and confidential support for people who are concerned about someone’s gambling. Call 1800 858 858.
Sometimes people act out of character when caught in the vicious cycle of gambling. If you need to talk to someone about domestic violence, family violence or sexual assault call the 1800 RESPECT LINE - 1800 737 732.
Thank you so much for your time and fantastic answer Dr Jane & the PsychMed team! We are all so grateful.
Share your thoughts below.
Take care!

About PsychMed

PsychMed provides a free and confidential program in South Australia for people experiencing gambling-related issues. This program has shown success in helping individuals struggling with gambling to regain control of their lives. If you or someone close to you is in need of some help we encourage you to call and speak to one of our friendly team members who will assist. Please call PsychMed on08 8232 2424.


If you'd like to talk to someone about your alcohol use, contact the Australian Drug Information Service in your state.

The Gambling Help Online forums are a place for anyone affected by problems relating to gambling, including those with lived experience, friends and family. Share your experience and strategies, connect, be inspired, and motivate others. The forums are safe, confidental, professionally moderated and free of judgment. Join the discussion today.

I'm Dr. Robert R. Perkinson. I specialize in alcoholism treatment, drug abuse treatment, teen drug abuse treatment, and problem gambling treatment. I have been treating alcoholics and addicts for over 30 years and have written the leading treatment manual for addiction counselors in the world. I thought I would give you an opportunity to learn more about addiction.

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You must take addiction seriously because25% of Americans die as a result of substance abuse.The average alcoholic dies twenty-six years earlier than he or she would otherwise.

480,000 Americans die of smoking each year.

88,000 Americans die of alcohol each year.

70,000 Americans die of drug overdose mostly opioids.

During their lifetime 27% of the population will suffer from a substance abuse disorder.

25% of Americans die of substance abuse.

95% percent of untreated alcoholics die of their addiction.

40% of traffic deaths are alcohol related.

50% of homicides are alcohol related.

40% of assaults are alcohol related.

About half of state prison inmates report they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of their offence.

More than 24 million patients currently need alcohol treatment or drug treatment and only 3% get it.

For every dollar spent on addiction treatment seven dollars are saved in costs to society.

90% of addicts who work a program of recovery stay clean and sober.

Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-Step Facilitation Programs are the best treatment.

Children believe that alcohol and drug use is safe. The average 18 year old has seen 100,000 television commercials encouraging him or her to drink. That's why 80% of high school seniors have tried alcohol, 32% have gotten drunk in the last thirty days, 43% smoke marijuana, and about one third are smoking cigarettes.

This is a national catastrophe!

Twenty Questions About Alcohol Abuse

If you think that you or someone you love has a problem with alcohol, drugs or gambling, the fact that you are reading this page is an incredible victory. It means you are thinking about getting help. Congratulations! An addict has only two choices get into recovery or die.

Alcohol And Gambling Issues Against

The first thing you need to do is see if there is an addiction problem. Answer these questions and be honest with yourself. You can answer the questions for yourself or the person you are concerned about. You have nothing to hide and nobody is going to know the results but you.

Has the person ever tried to cut down on his or her use?

Have people annoyed the person by talking to him or her about the use?

Has the person ever felt bad or guilty about his or her use?

Has the person ever used alcohol or drugs in the morning or broken the law to use?

Alcohol And Gambling Issues

Two or more of these questions answered yes indicates probable addiction. That means you are in trouble and you need help. Only 4% of addicts can quit on their own for the next year.

It is not just the addict who suffers. Everyone associated with an addicted person is under terrible stress. This will just get worse until you get into treatment.
If you or someone you love is addicted, you need to take action now! Don't let someone die because you stalled. I know you are afraid, but you don't have to be.

Ninety percent of addicts who work our program stay clean and sober.

If you are an addict, or live with one, you are in great pain. Most addicts die of their addiction and they take their family members down with them. The first step in recovery is to get honest with yourself. Don't just sit there and think things are going to get better. Addiction doesn't get better. It gets worse until somebody dies. You need to take action and you need to take action now. The worst thing you can do is wait. How are you going to feel if this person kills someone in an accident or kills themselves? Don't let this happen to your family. It's time to get help. Call us for a free assessment at 1-800-992-1921. There is no obligation and you don't even have to tell us your name. We can help you get treatment in your area or we can help you come to our treatment center. We are a small treatment center where you won't get lost in the shuffle. We have a number of programs designed for specific populations such as duel diagnosis, cognitive deficits, gambling problems, a Christian program, an adolescent program, a young adult program, a Native American program and many more. We are very flexible about the cost of treatment. Most patients come into treatment at reduced rates. Many patients are state funded or come into treatment under Medicaid. If you are worried about the money, don't let that stop you. Money is the least of your worries. The money is not going to kill anyone and addiction kills everyone. Let us help you find a treatment you can afford. If you are an addict or if you live with one you are living in hell, you have no peace. Nothing you have tried works and you keep returning to the pain.

Find a treatment facility near you

Chemical Dependency Counseling: A Practical Guide, Fifth Edition: is a best-selling comprehensive guide for counselors and front-line professionals who work with the chemically dependent and addicted in a variety of treatment settings. The text shows the counselor how to use the best evidence-based treatments available, including motivational enhancement, cognitive behavioral therapy, skills training, medication and 12 step facilitation. Guiding the counselor step-by-step through treatment, this volume presents state-of-the-art tools, and forms and tests necessary to deliver outstanding treatment and to meet the highest standards demanded by accrediting bodies.

The Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Client Workbook, Third Edition:An evidence-based program that uses treatments including motivational enhancement, cognitive-behavioral therapy, skills training, medication, and 12-step facilitation. It provides a venue for clients to write down their thoughts and experiences as they progress through treatment.

The Gambling Addiction Client Workbook, Third Edition:An evidence-based program that uses treatments including motivational enhancement, cognitive-behavioral therapy, skills training, medication, and 12-step facilitation. This workbook walks clients through self-reflective activities and exercises meant to help them recognize the underlying motivations and causes of their gambling addiction and to learn the tools necessary for recovery. The Third Edition of this workbook includes coverage of all 12 steps of recovery. Chapters focused on honesty and relapse prevention as well as a personal recovery plan contribute to client success.

Alcoholics are one of the most difficult client groups to treat effectively. To preserve their way of life, they may lie about their problem or deny that one exists; that is the nature of this profoundly powerful disease. Yet if you can guide each of your clients through their own resistance towards the truth, not only will you be rewarded with starting them on the road to recovery, you will no doubt have saved their life as well. Achieving such a victory goes to the heart of being an addiction counselor; it is the experience of healing on a direct and tangible level.
Treating Alcoholism provides a complete road map for assessing, diagnosing, and treating this multifaceted and tenacious illness. Detailed clinical information on the disease accompanies ready-to-use tools for practice. With a special emphasis on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, the author walks you through the first five steps of this established methodology in comprehensive detail, showing how to easily apply each one to treatment.

Alcohol And Gambling Issues Since

Alcohol

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous says that only God can relieve the illness of addiction. Here are a fewspiritual tools to help you:

God Talks to You: Second Edition: God wants to communicate with you. God has been calling you for a long time. You have wanted God to speak to you for a long time. You have wanted to talk to God and get answers back. Here are a few quotes from spiritual leaders who have read the book: Reverend Mark Holland: “After reading Dr. Perkinson's book, I spent several minutes quieting myself, and then I asked God if there was a message for me. “Mark I’ve missed you!” Although there were no words spoken, I felt this message very clearly. I was quite surprised. Daily I was involved with spiritual matters, praying, preaching, and counseling. Nevertheless, I discovered that God was lonely for me.” Reverend Dave Waldowski: “This book and tape do not only “discuss” communication with God, moreover if you follow these simple principles you will “experience” and “hear” God’s voice on a daily basis.”

Peace Will Come CD Sit back and let the words and music sink into your soul. Come back often and play the songs over and over again. You won't be sorry. God will teach you many things you need to know.

A Communication From God: A meditation tape that will give you long communications from God. The tape takes you through two exercises where God speaks to you directly.

Mystic

Trevor Howard, the sheriff of Teton County Wyoming, is contemplating an explosion of cocaine addiction, four structure fires and the murder of a six-year-old boy in his jurisdiction. The boy had a wooden cross penetrating his heart indicating a possible religious connection. Trever has the idea of hiring a young woman deputy with experience in undercover narcotics investigation. Simultaneously, Doctor Abe Anderson, Trevor’s best friend, meets Heather Cutler, acting in a play as the red headed demon of seduction. Abe falls in love with her and even more with his first experience with cocaine. Trevor is usually a confident police officer but these crimes, coming all at once, leave him feeling deeply troubled. Before it’s done his whole life, friendships and family will show him how terribly he has underestimated his greatest fears.

Mystic Yellowstone

Joan Worthing has a new job as a seasonal ranger in Yellowstone National Park. She is hoping to escape a long history of physical and sexual abuse by her brother Teddy who is schizophrenic. Teddy escapes from a mental hospital and rushes to find her. He believes she must have his child who will save the world from an alien invasion. He is desperate to find Joan and save the world. Doctor Rand Holland, a psychologist in new recovery from alcoholism, becomes involved in the search for Teddy and the protection of Joan. One of Rand’s teenage patients Lela Lander runs away from home seeking help from Rand. She becomes involved with a Satanic coven in Denver run by Lonn Majors. All these characters meet in Yellowstone as the coven holds a Halloween ritual sacrifice that will bring Satan to earth for the ultimate battle between good and evil.

Begin a new spiritual journey:www.godtalkstoyou.com

Read the latest research for a school paper or project from the National Library of Medicine

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