Safe & Expert Addiction Treatment & Detox
There Are around 40,000 Problem Gamblers in Ireland Today, and 12% Of Irish Adults Bet with a Bookmaker Each Week.
In fact, gambling addiction is one of the fastest-growing addictions in the world.
As the addiction develops, the gambler becomes obsessed with gambling and getting their next ‘fix’. This compulsive behaviour triggers feelings of depression, shame and fear. Because of their guilt and denial, many gamblers will not seek help for their problem until it is a major issue and they have already wasted a large sum of money.
In many cases, the problem gambler will experience additional behavioural addictions, or alcohol and drug abuse disorders at the same time. In these cases, it is important that all addictive behaviour is treated at the same time. If one of their conditions remains untreated, it is likely that the addicted person will relapse.
Safe Detoxification from Drugs & Alcohol
What’s the Difference Between Recreational Gambling and Problem Gambling?
There are several differences between recreational gamblers and problem gamblers. Those who play for fun understand that gambling is a game and that they are unlikely to win. Despite this, they play for entertainment.
Some Characteristics of Recreational Gamblers:
- Set a budget that they stay within
- Hope to win but know that they will probably lose
- Gamble as a form of entertainment with friends, and only for certain amounts of time
- Understand that it is a game
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Unlike recreational gamblers, problem gamblers believe that they can control the outcomes of the game by influencing the odds. They may have strategies they believe will help them to succeed. For example, if a number has not come up for a while, they may believe that it is sure to come up soon, despite the probability being the same each time.
Problem gamblers also bet more than they can afford to. For problem gamblers, gambling may begin as entertainment but soon develops into an obsession. It may quickly become the top priority in the problem gambler’s life.
The gambler’s spending may cause conflict within their family. In addition, their lying, secrecy and denial may also become sources of tension within their family and friendship groups. The gambler is likely to feel shame about their behaviour, as well as experiencing depression, guilt, and isolation.
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Some of the Characteristics of Problem Gamblers:
- Experience financial difficulties
- Willing to invest an unlimited supply of time and money in their gambling habit
- Try to make up for losses by betting more
- Take out loans to fund their gambling
- Become obsessed with gambling
- Be certain that they must be about to win
- Borrow money from family and friends to fund their gambling
- Sell their belongings to raise money
- Lie about their gambling behaviour to family and friends
- Suffer from depression, mood disorders, and loneliness
- Deny to themselves and others the extent of their problem
- How to Access Rehab With Health Insurance
For those experiencing existing mental health conditions in Ireland, there are private medical insurers who can help you cover treatment. As addiction experts, we know that receiving the appropriate care and support when you have a mental health disorder is pivotal to attaining long-lasting recovery. Below, we will go through the various health insurance options to help you understand your options when it comes to seeking private residential care for substance abuse. Please note that there is no guarantee that you can be covered for all addiction problems as policies are always assessed on a case-by-case basis. Find Out More
- My Loved One Doesn’t Want Help, What Do I Do?
You can’t force someone to go to rehab. At the end of the day, it needs to be their decision because they are the ones that need to be open to turning their lives around. There are ways in which you can encourage someone to enter treatment, one of these ways is via an intervention with a trained interventionist, who facilitates an honest discussion between family members and the addict. This is something Smarmore Castle can arrange – contact us today.
- Which Drugs Does Smarmore Castle Detox From?
We can detox people from any drugs whether they are illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ketamine; or prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines or zopiclone, oxycodone, zolpidem, klonopin, methadone, cannabis; and legal drugs such as alcohol.
- How Long Is the Treatment Programme?
Our treatment programme starts at 4 weeks and is flexible in length, giving you the opportunity to extend for a longer period if you need it.
- Do You Treat Dual Diagnosis?
All patients are reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist in the first week and we can diagnose and provide treatment for a number of co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Do I Need to Be Abstinent Before Admission?
Our medically managed detoxification with 24/7 medical cover means that we can perform complete and complex detoxes at Smarmore Castle. You don’t need to be abstinent before arrival.
- How Do I Get To Rehab Safely?
Smarmore Castle is one hour north of Dublin international airport and we can arrange a driver to collect you and bring you straight to us for free.
We can also arrange a ‘sober transport’ service with a trusted driver, from anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland, at an additional cost.