The CBT evidence base shows that it can be effective in:
reducing the amount of money lost
reducing the number of days someone gambles
develop relapse prevention strategies
I appreciate that gambling is often an isolating and/or socially reinforced experience therefore speaking to someone objectively out with your current difficulties can be a way to break the cycle. We can achieve this by exploring how gambling behaviours began and are maintained by developing a formulation. There is a hypothetical example of this process below.
Hypothetical Formulation
INTENDED CONSQUENCES
UNINTENDED CONSQUENCES
Freedom to pursue career I truly enjoy.
Solve all of my problems.
Escape from reality.
Becoming more 'trapped' - suicidal.
Making the problem bigger.
Argue with my partner, push her away before she realises I am a failure.
CORE BELIEFS
I am a failure
I am weak
I am not being myself
DEVELOPMENT
Successful parents
Achieved excellent school exam results
Felt obligated to go to universty
ACTIVATING EVENT
Realisation I was in a job I was forced into and do not enjoy
Felt trapped in job unable to tell father for fear of being a failure and disappointment to him
I must make a certain amount of money for my father to be proud of me.
I need to achieve everything at 100%, even if I do not enjoy it.
My friends will know I am a failure if I do not have a big house and expensive car.
SITUATION
Lost entire bank balance on gambling binge and develop an addiction
THOUGHTS
If I win enough money I can pursue a job I love without father disowning me
I only need one big win then I will quit gambling forever
BODY
Tired
Unable to relax
Tense
EMOTIONS
Shame
Guilt
Helpless
BEHAVIOUR
Gamble every day
Avoidance - isolate from friends and family
Ruminate frequently, particularly in bed
RULES AND ASSUMPTIONS
Once a formulation is developed we will identify your goals and use strategies such as 'Behavioural Experiments' which aim to change your core beliefs. Changing your behaviour changes the way you think and feel about gambling and ultimately your mental state as whole.
To discuss if this process is something that you feel could work for you please click the button below.
