Psychiatrists Categorize Compulsive Gambling as Behavioral, Raising Odds of Recovery
HANOVER, Virginia (PRWEB) July 15, 2013 -- Most recently, the psychiatrist’s “Bible” went through its first major revision in nearly 20 years, and compulsive gambling is now categorized as a behavioral addiction in the mental health field. At the 2013 Midwest Conference on Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse in Kansas City, Williamsville Wellness announced a 10-day residential treatment program designed to help the compulsive gambler.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association, and is the preliminary textual basis for how many mental health professionals treat and diagnose their patients.
One of the more controversial revisions made to the 5th edition has been the replacement of “dependency” for “addiction.” Along with cannabis withdrawal and caffeine withdrawal, gambling addiction is a new criterion in the DSM-5 edition, and is recognized as activating the brain reward system in much the same way as behavioral substance abuse disorders.
For individuals suffering from compulsive gambling, these developments can break ground in a number of different ways: most importantly, they can gain access to the adequate help needed to address, understand, and begin steps towards recovery.
Williamsville Wellness is a treatment facility comprised of licensed or certified professionals focused on treating the whole person. The treatment team consists of physicians, consulting psychiatrists, psychologists, addiction specialists (gambling, alcohol, and other drugs), counselors, social workers, art therapists, personal trainers, life coaches, Yoga instructors, massage therapists, resident managers, and a chef – each selected to provide clients with the necessary means towards recovery.
The recovery mission of Williamsville Wellness is carried out by the treatment team through 27 individual therapy sessions with a licensed therapist; 27 group sessions; family/partner sessions and a psychological evaluation during the 10 days. The 10-Day program offers those suffering from compulsive gambling the opportunity to discover ways in which their addiction can be better understood and, with the right treatment, overcome. And the 1-to-1 ratio of therapists to patients offered at the facility is unheard of in the field, making a successful recovery that much more likely for anyone seeking out help.
In direct response to the new DSM-5 revisions, Williamsville Wellness is now offering a direct link through http://www.nongambler.com, where individuals can find state funded gambling counselors and get the assistance that they need quickly.
Bob Cabaniss, Williamsville Wellness, http://www.nongambler.com, 804-869-9725, [email protected]
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