At first glance, it may appear that attending a residential treatment center is too unrealistic, or too much of a commitment, so instead you opt for a different type of therapy such as Gamblers Anonymous or outpatient counseling.
Although attending a support group like Gamblers Anonymous can be beneficial, recovery success rates through only GA are very low at about 5%. Residential treatment centers offer a unique experience where individuals can dive deep into the recovery process, and the success rates are much higher, around 67%.
1. Community & Connection
Since the start of the pandemic, isolation and loneliness have become major issues for millions of people. This can be especially difficult for anyone who is struggling with an addiction since isolation can heighten negative emotions that cause the person to continually turn to their addiction.
When you are in the early stages of recovery, finding a community that you can connect with is essential. It has been said that “The opposite of addiction is connection.”
When we don’t have meaningful connections in our lives, we tend to turn to something else to fill that void. Attending a residential treatment center for a gambling disorder gives you the opportunity to form lifelong relationships with other like-minded people.
You may be feeling alone in your gambling disorder, but there are many people who share your struggles. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of others, but you also get to help others by sharing your own experiences.
This is a safe space in which you can share your struggles without any judgment, and find comfort in the fact that there are other people who know exactly what you are going through.
You will also have the constant support of our gambling recovery staff and your fellow residents. We have a highly trained staff of men and women, many of whom have recovered from gambling disorders, and therefore can empathize with what you are going through, and provide insight on how to overcome your disorder.
2. New routine
When you attend a gambling-specific treatment center, you get to embark upon your individual journey to recovery. Getting a breath of fresh air, away from the stresses of everyday life, away from toxic relationships or places that remind you of gambling can be highly beneficial.
You have the time to really focus on yourself, away from any distractions. Having a completely new routine can help you gain a new perspective on your situation, and give you an idea of how to move forward in life.
3. Variety of treatment
At Algamus, we want to help you get to the root of your gambling disorder, and help you find a treatment plan that works for you. For some, they might find group therapy to be most impactful, for others it could be yoga and exercise, or one-on-one counseling sessions. Every person is unique, and everyone cannot be expected to respond to one type of treatment in the same way.
4. Continuous Support
Before a resident leaves Algamus, we establish an aftercare plan that suits their needs. This might be to get them involved in outpatient counseling and/or Gamblers Anonymous and may include getting family members involved in the recovery process.
We also have an aftercare program where make sure we keep in touch with our clients and provide them with continued support and connection by scheduling a call with them at the end of their first week, month, three months, six months, and one year.
5. COVID-Safe Environment
Algamus is continuing to operate, with COVID protocols in place to ensure the safety of our residents and staff. We follow all CDC guidelines pertaining to COVID, and all residents are required to take a COVID test when they arrive. If their test comes back positive, they will be required to quarantine at our designated facility away from our residence.
Ultimately, we believe that a gambling disorder should be treated just as seriously as a major health condition and that your healing should not be put off for any reason. If finances are a concern, we accept insurance from most commercial insurance providers.
You don’t have to wait until you are at rock bottom before attending a residential treatment center. If you feel that you or a loved one is struggling with a gambling disorder, we encourage you to reach out and we can help you find a treatment plan that is right for you.