Support Groups and Gambling Addiction Recovery: Benefits and Options

Support groups for gambling addiction recovery offer a structured and communal approach to overcoming compulsive gambling. These groups provide a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, gain insights, and receive encouragement from others facing similar challenges.

The benefits of support groups for gambling recovery include emotional support, shared experiences, and accountability. Participants gain comfort from knowing they are not alone and benefit from hearing how others have managed their addiction. The collective wisdom and encouragement help individuals stay committed to their recovery goals and handle setbacks more effectively.  In a group of people who joined support groups, 80% were able to recover effectively, according to a research study by Sheffield Hallam University.

The support groups available for gambling addiction include organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous, SMART Recovery, and gambling-focused therapy groups. Gamblers Anonymous offers a 12-step program similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, while SMART Recovery provides a cognitive-behavioral approach to managing addiction. These groups offer various meeting formats, including in-person, online, and telephone support.

What makes support groups different from professional therapy for gambling addiction is the peer-based, non-clinical nature of support groups compared to the more individualized approach of therapy. Support groups emphasize shared experiences and communal support, while professional therapy provides tailored interventions and strategies from licensed clinicians. Both approaches are complementary, with support groups offering community and understanding, while therapy provides specialized treatment and personalized care.

What are Gambling Support Groups?

Gambling support groups are gatherings of individuals who suffer from gambling addiction. These groups allow them to share their experiences, explore recovery options, and encourage each other throughout the treatment journey.

Support groups are safe and comfortable spaces for these individuals to talk, share their feelings, express their challenges, and connect with others to build a sense of community support that helps them recover.

Various gambling support groups are available, including in-person meetings, online meetings, group chats, chat rooms, forums, local resources, and hotlines.

What are the Benefits of Support Groups for Gambling Recovery?

The benefits of support groups for gambling recovery are emotional stability, relapse prevention, building a support system, long-term recovery, increased self-esteem, and improved coping mechanisms.

These benefits are described below.

• Emotional Stability: Emotional stability is provided by giving the individuals a safe space to express their feelings and share details about their addiction that they might not be comfortable sharing with their family or friends. This helps with treating emotional and mental health problems like depression, anxiety, stress, and behavioral disorders.
• Relapse Prevention: Relapse prevention is considered at support groups, which require every member to attend regularly. These groups help individuals consistently go through treatment and reach their goals for an effective recovery. This lowers the risk of relapse, as the treatment doesn’t stop until the individual has fully recovered and learned coping strategies for the future.
• Building a Support System: Building a support system is an essential advantage as most individuals with gambling addiction feel a sense of loneliness and lose support from friends and family. Support groups provide them with the appropriate social connection and peer support for motivation and proper treatment. 43.3% of a support group’s members considered social support to be the main factor of their recovery, according to a survey by the National Library of Medicine.
• Long-Term Recovery: Long-term recovery outcomes are common for individuals who participated in support groups. The appropriate support from fellow members and treatment plans provided by the group supervisors allow for a recovery that lasts for years and improves your overall well-being. According to the same National Library of Medicine survey, 38.3% of support group members reported instant improvements in their quality of life after the treatment.
• Increased Self-Esteem: The motivation and positive feedback individuals receive from fellow members during treatment increase self-esteem. The overall improvement in self-control and mental health boosts an individual’s confidence and helps them maintain their recovery for a long time.
• Improved Coping Mechanisms: Improved coping mechanisms are developed by learning strategies to overcome gambling urges and ways of coping with the problems associated with gambling addiction. These coping mechanisms are important for long-term recovery and avoiding triggers.

What Support Groups are Available for Gambling Addiction?

The support groups available for gambling addiction are Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon, SMART Recovery, Kindbridge, and GamTalk.

These support groups are described below.

• Gamblers Anonymous: Gamblers Anonymous is a group of men and women who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes with each other. This group is known for effectively solving the problems of gambling addicts and providing appropriate support for recovery. Gamblers Anonymous is not allied with any sector or organization. It is entirely free to join as it is a self-supported service through contributions.
• Gam-Anon: Gam-Anon is a family support group for men and women who are husbands, wives, relatives, and close friends of compulsive gamblers. This group teaches families effective ways of coping with gambling addiction problems. It also provides opportunities to recover or build strong bonds among family members and help them better understand and support each other. Gam-Anon is entirely free and requires no fee or dues.
• SMART Recovery: SMART Recovery is an international service that provides peer support groups for individuals suffering from problem gambling. It focuses on teaching self-empowerment and cognitive behavioral techniques. It also teaches individuals some practical skills for controlling their gambling urges and building motivation to recover. SMART Recovery groups and meetings are free for anyone to attend.
• Kindbridge: Kindbridge is one of the largest networks of mental health treatment providers in the USA. It is mainly recognized for its peer support programs for gambling addiction and problem gambling. It provides both regular group therapies and seminars for families that teach effective ways of coping with gambling issues and give proper treatment plans. Depending on the package, Kindbridge’s group therapy can cost around $75 to $200.
• GamTalk: GamTalk is an online support group or forum for individuals dealing with problem gambling or gambling addiction. GamTalk is known for its experienced peers and supervisors who provide members effective emotional support and treatment plans. It allows individuals to share their experiences remotely and receive advice through chatrooms. GamTalk’s services are free of charge and available for everyone.

What Makes Support Groups Different From Professional Therapy for Gambling Addiction?

Support groups and professional therapy have different plans and methods, but they share the same motive of providing treatment to gambling addicts. Support groups primarily focus on providing peer support, where individuals with similar experiences come together to share their stories, provide encouragement, and offer strategies and coping mechanisms to deal with problem gambling.

Meanwhile, professional therapy involves receiving guidance from an expert and licensed therapist. These therapists listen to the patient’s problems and provide appropriate techniques to address the psychological, behavioral, and emotional aspects of their gambling addiction.

Can Support Groups be Combined with Professional Treatment?

Yes, support groups can be combined with professional therapy to receive an enhanced recovery. Professional therapy offers personalized treatment and expert guidance, while support groups provide peer support and shared experiences.

Combining both elements will result in a faster, more effective, and long-term treatment for gambling addiction. In a group of treated gambling addicts, 60% revealed that they used both professional help and support groups for their recovery, according to a study by the National Library of Medicine.

Can Support Groups Prevent Relapse in Gambling Addiction?

Yes, support groups can prevent relapse in gambling addiction by providing consistent peer support, accountability, and coping strategies. They ensure that every member regularly participates in the group and its meetings, greatly reducing the risk of relapse.