Alcohol Abuse and Gambling

Comorbid Alcohol Abuse and Gambling Addiction

Many mental health disorders are thought of by the general public as stand-alone problems, however it has been shown that alcohol abuse and gambling addictions often occur together.  When two disorders occur together, they are called “co-occurring disorders” or “dual diagnosis disorders”.   One study found that individuals who gamble are two to ten times more likely to do so if they have a substance abuse disorder (e.g. Steinberg, Kosten, Rounsaville, 1992, in Potenza et al., 2002). Another study of 2,638 American adults (Welte et al, 2001) discovered that there was an extremely significant relationship between alcohol abuse and gambling. A recent study by Cowlihaw et al (2013) confirmed this, indicating that 14% of people with substance abuse difficulties also have pathological gambling addictions, and an additional 23% have sub-clinical gambling problems; this means that 37% have co-occurring substance abuse and gambling problems.

The focus of this post ison the affects of gambling and alcohol abuse . Both alcohol and gambling problems are addiction problems that often co-occur (Elia and Jacobs, 1993), implying that their etiology or causes could be similar. These similar causes may be in the form of way someone thinks (cognitive processes), they way they act (behavioural styles) or environmental causes (e.g., troubled relationships, losses, abuse, etc.). One theory is that self-regulatory resources are ineffective in those displaying addictive behaviors (e.g. Phillips and Ogeil, 2011). It has been shown that negative emotions, such as sadness, depression, anxiety and anger can lead to more risky behaviors. It has also been shown that these negative feeling states lead to greater cravings (Witkiewitz and Bowen, 2010). Therefore, when negative emotions occur they may result in morerisky behaviour in the forms of both gambling and alcohol abuse. It has also been well documented that depression can be highly comorbid with alcohol abuse (e.g. National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions, 2001-2002) and so depressed people may be at a particularly high risk  for both alcohol abuse and gambling problems.

Another theory of addiction is the Excessive Appetites Model of Addiction (Orford, 2001), which states that humans naturally have a range of appetites and desires which we wish to be fulfilled. In some situations that appetite can reach excess and become out of control, leading to an addictive behaviour pattern. The model proposes that there are many interacting components which lead to excessive addiction, such as more opportunities to indulge, thought processes involving a preoccupation with rewards , avoidance of negative emotions, etc.  In this model, alcohol abuse and gambling addiction are the result of an excessive appetite for fulfilment of one’s desires.

The theories of addiction are not exhaustive; indeed, many others exist which have not been mentioned here. The importance of having theories of comorbid alcoholism and gambling difficulties cannot be underestimated, as they often lead to the most effective treatments. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a comprehensive, well informed and empirically based treatment which has been shown to be effective for many mental health difficulties, and even some physical ailments. Because it is an eclectic approach which focuses both on maladaptive cognitions and unhelpful belief systems, and uses behavioural theories to understand problematic behaviors, it can be applied to a wide range of difficulties including alcohol abuse and gambling addiction.

For example, by focusing on the cognitive distortions associated with gambling, such as biased memories and illusions of control, and by reinforcing non-gambling behaviours and preventing relapse, CBT can quickly and effectively eliminate gambling behaviour. Petry et al (2006) studied the effects of CBT on 231 pathological gamblers, and found that CBT led to significantly greater improvements in all outcome measures, including days of gambling, and the amount of money gambling, compared to participants who did not have CBT. When alcohol addiction is also present, CBT can use guided discovery and behavioural experiments to show the client that their drinking behaviour is highly linked to their gambling behaviour. For instance, it might be found that drinking is a trigger for gambling. In this case, the CBT therapist might discuss scheduling alternative activities which do not involve alcohol, to eliminate both alcohol abuse and gambling behaviour (Petry, 2009).

Castellani et al (1996) have shown that patients who have both a substance abuse disorder and a gambling addiction have much poorer coping responses; CBT is extremely effective in helping clients develop better coping strategies, and so it may well be an ideal treatment for comorbid alcoholism and pathological gambling.

Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

Alcohol Abuse among Veterans

Considering the amount of stress soldiers face daily while on duty, including international deployment, actual combat, physical injuries, psychological and emotional trauma, it is not surprising that many soldiers turn to alcohol to help them cope

Alcohol abuse is a growing serious problem in the US military.  Last 2007, the US government disclosed that more than 33 percent of the deployed troops who committed criminal offenses in Iraq and Afghanistan were reportedly under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.  The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (HSDA) also reported than more than 50% of the 30 million veterans living in the US are alcohol users, with 23 percent of male veterans and 14 percent of female veterans found to be binge drinkers and 7 percent of male veterans and 2 percent of female veterans classified as heavy drinkers.

Also, the Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) reported that there were 17,641 veterans admitted in non-Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities and around 51% of veteran admissions admitted to reporting alcohol as their primary abuse substance.  Finally, data from the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center showed that one in eight troops returning home from Afghanistan or Iraq were reportedly referred to treatment for alcohol abuse problems.

What Makes a Person A Problem Drinker?

Unfortunately, one reason that many people do not seek professional help regarding their drinking problems is because they cannot tell the difference between casual or moderate drinking and heavy or problem drinking.  Generally, if a person consumes alcohol to cope with stress or to help them feel good about themselves, chances are they are on their way to having alcohol abuse problems.  Signs that a person may become a problem drinker include the following:

    Drinking more bottles and more frequently than you did before
    Using alcohol more frequently to relieve stress or anxiety
    Lying about others regarding your drinking habits
    Neglecting responsibilities at home or work because of drinking alcohol
    Getting into legal troubles involving alcohol intoxication such as when caught driving while under influence
    (DUI)
    Behavior is becoming more negatively affected by continued alcohol abuse such as not going to work, neglecting obligations, ignoring family, becoming increasingly violent or easily agitated when intoxicated
    Withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, trembling and sweating, may begin if a person has not consumed alcohol for a period of time
    The person has tried to curb their drinking but has been unsuccessful

Seek Help When You Need It

The number of solider enrolling in the treatment for alcohol abuse after being diagnosed has risen by 56 percent since 2003.   Fortunately, there is now an Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse.   Our programs provide services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for alcohol abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

About AA

Drinking may be enjoyable with friends and in moderation, but it has led to the destruction of many lives. The power it holds over people is frightening and can cause damage in many ways, both on the surface and deep within those suffering. It hurts the drinker and all who care about him or her, which is why so many try to reach out a helping hand. To stop this path to destruction before it worsens or comes to a tragic end, groups like Alcoholics Anonymous have come together to give people the willpower and strength they need. They help people to overcome their alcoholism by providing a support system to make it a day at a time.

One of the major parts of AA is the 12 steps program. The 12 steps are:

    We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable.
    Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
    Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
    Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
    Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
    Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
    Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
    Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
    Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
    Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
    Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
    Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

When putting your trust in AA, you are committing to a life of abstinence from alcoholism.   Relinquishing the bottle to cure to your problems frees you to focus more clearly on your daily. For the most part, this is about understanding that you have a problem, need help, figuring out what you can do to better yourself, making the necessary changes, and staying sober. Staying true to these steps will help you to find the light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

This is what the program was created to do, help you with your alcohol dependence. It has become a successful, reliable tool for recovery, helping many people. When you look to this for strength and guidance, you, too, can experience the wonderful results and life waiting for you when you give up alcohol.

As for the results, wondering if it will truly work is normal. Abstinence from alcohol is a difficult thing, of course, but it has shown to work for many individuals. The research results are mixed.  For some people, AA definitely works.  If other forms of self help or treatment have failed, AA should be tried.  What do you have to lose?  There are also some people who must remain abstinent and AA is thee abstinence based approach.  AA is not the only approach, and even though it does not work for everyone, it does work for many.

We encourage almost everyone to try AA.  However, sometimes people need more help than a support group can provide.  Our treatment program incorporates many different strategies, including AA and 12 step groups to help you work the steps.  Fortunately, there is now an Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcoholism and other addictions.   Our programs provide services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of substance abuse, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for alcohol and drug abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

What is Substance Abuse Prevention Month?

Substance Abuse Prevention Month is to educate the country, especially the children, to prevent future substance abuse problems. The White House believes that the best method of dealing with substance abuse is to prevent the substance abuse (Office of National Drug Control, 2013).

             8% of the U.S. population are engaged in the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs. In 2011, 20.6 million Americans were addicted to alcohol and drugs which breaks down to: 14.1 million addicted to alcohol, 3.9 million drugs, and 2.6 million were addicted to both alcohol and drugs (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 2013). These numbers do not include just adults; instead they include anyone over the age of 12. This means that teenagers are having adult problems. 11% of the country’s monthly alcohol consumption is done by people between the ages of 12 and 20, which is illegal alcohol consumption (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 2013).

            This prevention approach can save American’s money when it comes to health care. For every $1 invested in preventive education the country saves on average $18 (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 2013). This is a substantial return on investment. Additionally, these numbers add up with every person that is educated or discouraged from using drugs and alcohol. This preventive measure tries to ensure that people do not try drugs in the first place, which greatly reduces the chances of becoming addicted.

            The money saved would be money that would be paying for some of the treatment of substance abuse. This treatment can range from paying for drug and alcohol rehab to treating infections of an injection site. Not everyone can afford to pay for the best alcohol rehab centers and best drug rehabilitation programs.

Many Americans rely on private health insurance or state health insurance to cover some or all of the costs of drug and alcohol rehab. Still many of these people will not be able to afford the best alcohol rehab centers and best drug rehabilitation programs. Often times the seeking of help is stigmatized, adding a social cost to obtaining treatment.

            Preventive measures are not be enough to stop all people from using drugs. The D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program has not been found effective in any scientific studies and sadly has been found to possibly be counter effective (Hanson). This program has since been defunded. There have been new programs developed to do what D.A.R.E. was intended to do. These steps forward may be the steps needed to be taken to lower the numbers of adults and teens that are engaged in substance abuse.

            Have a great Substance Abuse Prevention Month by educating yourself and others about the dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol. If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol or drug abuse, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

Rehab in Memphis, TN

Is it Time For Rehab?

There comes a time when it becomes necessary for you to understand whether or not it is feasible for you to go for a residential program in abstain from drug or alcohol dependency. If you have tried abstinence or moderation on your own and have not been successful, rehab might be a reaonsonable next step, depending on the severity and chronicity of your substance abuse.  Rehab, or residential treatment, creates a safe treatment environment in a confined setting where you will not have access to alcohol or drugs.  Residential settings provide medical supervision for detoxification and the management of withdrawal from addictive substances.  Withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headaches, blurred vision, insomnia, shaking and tremors, diarrhea, increased blood pressure mood swings, anxiety, depression and irritability.  Chemical dependency can also result in withdrawal symptoms that include seizures, respiratory depression, heart failure, coma, and even death. Addiction to opiates, crack, and alcohol may require medically supervised detox.  People who have made repeated good faith efforts to stop using and have tried psychotherapy, AA / NA / CA and other failed other forms of outpatient treatment may need residential treatment.

Not everyone can go to rehab for financial and job related reasons.  An often over looked step prior to going into rehab is an Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP.   To attend an IOP you must be medically stable, but admit that you have a problem with alcohol or drugs.  IOPs allow patients to live in their home while attending treatment for 9 to 12 hours a week. This kind of a treatment does not include detoxification, but should include contact with a program psychiatrist. IOP’s provide a safe outpatient setting where people with substance abuse problems can find emotional support while learning the skills they need to understand, reduce and stop using.

What are the costs of these treatments?

Alcohol or drug rehabilitation residential treatment settings provide 7 x 24 hr care and therefore cost significantly more than the outpatient treatments.  Residential treatments may cost $1000+ per day, but a luxury rehab can cost significantly more. Considering the fact that most residential rehabs are designed around 30 days programs significant costs are involved. Outpatients have to pay significantly less. Your insurance  will likely cover IOP and maybe even some of the residential costs. However, when it comes to residential rehab, you will have to pay a larger amount out of your own pocket as well.  However, if you need residential treatment, it is well worth the cost.

The bottom line: Is it inpatient or outpatient treatment?

For patients who are medically stable, a trial of IOP is a reasonable step if traditional outpatient treatment has not been successful.  However, if you have not made the progress you need in IOP, then residential treatment should be considered.  This approach is referred to as “stepped care” because you begin in the least restrictive setting and gradually increase the dose of treatment to the most restrictive setting only after all other options have failed.

Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol abuse or needs drug abuse treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Treatment for substance abuse can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

Talk Therapy Helps Treat Substance Abuse

There are many different types of talk therapy that have proven to be effective in the treatment of substance abuse, such as cognitive behavioral therapies, dialectic behavior therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapies. Sometimes these different therapies are recommended for different issues and for different people, depending on their problems and preferences. How does talk therapy help people with substance abuse problems and how does it fit into a drug and alcohol rehab program?

Many people have both a substance abuse problem and a mental health issue. When two or more disorders are present, these are referred to as co-occurring disorders or dual diagnoses.  8.9 Million people have a co-occurring substance abuse problem and mental health issues. There are a variety of places where treatment take place, such as inpatient drug rehab centers or outpatient drug and alcohol rehabs. These treatment facilities can and often do conduct talk therapy.  Unfortunately, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration the number of people that are getting treatment for co-occurring disorders is only about 7.4 million people. 55.8% of people who have both a substance abuse issue and mental health problems get no treatment at all. There are many reasons why someone would not seek treatment or why someone would be incapable of getting treatment.

Major depression and other depressive disorders often co-occur with substance abuse (Thompson, 2011). Treating one of the issues without treating the other does not address the entire set of problems to help the person get back on track to live their life. Talk therapy is a way to help the person deal with their depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, or any number of other mental health issues. Talk therapies can help drug and alcohol rehabs be more effective as counseling helps the person deal with all of their issues, not just their addictions. This confrontation of the real issues a person is facing is a large part of talk therapy. The type of talk therapy that happens may depend on the views of the inpatient drug rehab centers or the particular therapist or counselor. Each drug addiction treatment center will have counselors that are trained in talk therapy and/or leading group therapy sessions, but not all talk therapies are the same.

Talk therapy goes into the feelings, thoughts, and reasoning behind why a person does what they do. The person will talk their way through their problems and work out solutions to them. This solution finding focus is common in cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been proven to been effective form talk therapy as it focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and actions are linked. Motivational Interviewing has also been proven to be effective in helping people make important decisions and to work on issues related to their substance abuse.  A combined strategy of various therapies that have been proven to be effective in treating substance abuse issues that co-occur with mental health problems is an effective approach. Talk therapy is just one component of an effective drug addiction treatment center, but it is a very powerful tool.  It has been proven that helping people cope with their depression or other mental health issues improves their recovery from addictions.

Because our treatment center relies on evidence based practices, our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse also rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcohol abuse and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has  been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug abuse treatment in peer reviewed  treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to  five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of alcohol  abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who  can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Substance abuse treatment can be highly  successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.

What is Binge Drinking?

Binge drinking is defined as heavy episodic drinking and is very common in today’s culture. It is usually done with the intention of becoming intoxicated in a short period of time. There are more shots being poured at bars and more games being created in fraternities with the intention of getting drunk. This can all be considered binge drinking.

The standard definition for binge drinking is consuming at least four drinks at one occasion for a female and five drinks at one occasion for a male. This can include a 12 ounce glass of beer, a 5 ounce glass of wine, or a half ounce shot of alcohol. Binge drinking is extremely common in young adults.

While binge drinking is often associated with younger adults, it is not always the case. Binge drinking is really associated with all age levels. It occurs in every economic level, age, race and sex.

Not every binge drinker is an alcoholic and not every alcoholic is a binge drinker. It is important to understand the differences, though a binge drinker can become an alcoholic and an alcoholic can very well be a binge drinker.

Alcohol abusers are often drinking in order to forget something or to deal with stress or pain. Binge drinking is done typically to feel the effects of alcohol and revel in being drunk. Binge drinking is just as damaging as other forms of drinking and perhaps even more so, which means people need to be aware of the consequences. For example, binge drinking is often associated with traffic accidents, violent behavior, death and even suicide.

Binge drinking has become a problem throughout the United States and while many organizations are working on a solution, it starts with the individual. Our treatment center relies on evidence based practices and our Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Program shares many common methods with other successful rehab programs.  The foundations of our treatment program for substance abuse rely on the principles of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, stages of change and cognitive behavioral therapy to promote recovery from alcoholism treatment and drug treatment.  In fact, our Intensive Outpatient Program in Memphis, TN that has been proven to be effective in the treatment of alcohol abuse and drug treatment in peer reviewed treatment outcome studies.   Our treatment center  provides services to those who need more treatment than one hour a week, but less than 24 hour care, by providing three hours of treatment per day, three to five days per week, in an intensive outpatient setting.  If you or a loved one is showing signs of binge drinking or other forms of alcohol abuse or needs drug treatment rehab, they should be assessed by a trained mental health professional who can help design a treatment plan that can result in recovery.  Substance abuse treatment can be highly successful.  Call us at 901-682-6136 to schedule an appointment.