Gambling addiction rehab and help

Gambling addiction, sometimes referred to as 'compulsive gambling' or 'problem gambling’, is a type of behavioural addiction, characterised by having a constant urge to gamble, despite the negative impact that this can have on lots of different areas of your life. Gambling addiction can cause difficulties in relationships and at work, whilst the cost of funding it can become a huge financial burden. Compulsive gambling isn’t just restricted to one type of gambling and may encompass online sports betting, online slots/roulette/poker, or betting in a bookmaker’s.

Many people engage in the occasional ‘flutter’ for fun, and this can be harmless; it is when gambling becomes out of control and starts to take over your life, that this can indicate that a destructive gambling addiction has developed. Compulsive gambling can become apparent when it begins to negatively affect your relationships and your performance at work, causes you to fall into debt, and results in behaviour that you would previously have deemed as being irrational and out of control. In addition, the fact that people are now able to gamble anywhere, anytime, at the click of a button, means that it is now easier than ever to fall into the destructive trap of compulsive gambling.

Help for gambling addiction in Surrey

However, it’s important to recognise that you don’t have to struggle with gambling addiction; specialist help and treatment is available. No matter how impossible it may feel to stop gambling, our experts at Life Works are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way towards overcoming gambling addiction and getting your life back on track.

At Life Works, we understand that seeking help for your gambling addiction can be an incredibly daunting and overwhelming step to take. That’s why we are pleased to offer a free pre-screening assessment. This allows you to discuss your unique difficulties in confidence, ask any questions that you might have on the gambling addiction treatment process, and begin to develop an understanding of how you can beat your compulsive behaviours.

Our multidisciplinary team have extensive experience in treating gambling addiction and are able to deliver a wide range of evidence-based therapies, helping you to tackle your gambling addiction symptoms, and resolve the underlying triggers and causes for your addiction. We place you at the centre of your treatment and recovery journey, ensuring that you are empowered to achieve the best possible outcomes for you as an individual. In addition, our beautiful centre, located in the peaceful Surrey countryside, offers welcoming and relaxing living areas, comfortable bedrooms, and expansive private grounds, providing the perfect sanctuary in which to relax and focus on your health.

If gambling addiction remains untreated, this can continue to have a hugely detrimental impact on your wellbeing and quality of life, as well as resulting in untold financial hardships and relationship breakdowns. It may also lead to the development of other addictions including addictions to alcohol or drugs, or other compulsive behaviours such as shopping and internet addiction. That’s why it’s so important to seek timely help – the sooner you enter treatment and therapy, the sooner you will be able to resume the healthy, happy and fulfilling life that you deserve

Gambling addiction treatment at Life Works, Woking

Gambling addiction treatment at Life Works takes place as part of our 28-day Addiction Treatment Programme. During this, you will stay at our centre in Woking on a residential basis, and take part in intensive therapy as a means of tackling your compulsive gambling behaviours and getting to the root cause of your problems. You will follow a rigorous daily schedule, which is shown to assist with addictive behaviours, and will take part in group sessions with other gambling and non-gambling addicts, due to the basic similarities underlying all addictions. 28 days is the recommended length of time for addiction treatment.

Gambling addiction therapy aims to help you to improve your sense of self-esteem and self-worth, develop an understanding of why you turned to gambling in the first place, and take steps towards a full recovery. Our experts will assist you in identifying the thoughts and behaviours that may be exacerbating your gambling, as well as identifying what is within your control and what is not. You will also be viewed in a very holistic manner to ensure that all facets of your gambling addiction are being addressed. This includes rebuilding the broken social networks which often occur as a result of your addiction.

All addiction treatment at Life Works is based on the well-known 12-Step approach.

Our gambling Addiction Treatment Programme consists of:

• Free, pre-screening assessment - book your appointment today
• Structured group therapy and individual 1:1 therapy programmes
• Access to 12-Step support groups

For more information on the gambling addiction treatment that we offer at Life Works, as well as the type of therapy that is involved, please visit our approach to addiction treatment page.

This page was reviewed by Robin Clayton, Primary Therapist, (BACP, ATSAC) in September 2021.