Treatments For Online Gambling Addiction

Online Gambling involves betting on games of chance or skill for money using a computer, tablet, smartphone or other internet-connected device. It includes online casinos, sports betting, poker, fantasy sports, and even some lottery sites. It is a huge business, and millions of people participate. However, gambling can be addictive and lead to financial, social and family problems. It can also cause depression and anxiety. It is important that trusted adults educate children and young people about online gambling, its risks and how to spot a problem. This is especially important given the inclusion of gambling behaviours in many popular online games such as loot boxes and skin betting.

Many people who engage in gambling online experience problems similar to those experienced by other addictions. For example, gambling can disrupt relationships and cause feelings of withdrawal when a person attempts to reduce their involvement. It can also affect mental health, with researchers finding that gambling is associated with higher rates of coexisting mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.

There are many treatment options for gambling addiction, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which has been shown to be effective in reducing problematic gambling behavior. CBT focuses on changing thinking and behaviors that contribute to gambling addiction. It uses a range of techniques, including problem-solving training and relapse prevention. It can be done in individual or group sessions. Other treatments for gambling addiction include motivational interviewing (MI), which helps patients work through their ambivalence about change.