Anxiety - Recovery.com Resource Library

As someone intimately familiar with anxiety, you already know there’s no simple explanation for what causes your anxiety or even why you feel anxious some days and not others. Everyday life is full of different triggers. On top of that, today many of us are also facing the additional stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic: sheltering in place, living in isolation, worrying about income and job security, balancing working and schooling from home. The list could go on.

It’s not surprising, then, that throughout 2020, the amount of mental health cases, including anxiety, has been on the rise. One U.S. nonprofit, Mental Health America (MHA), reported that, of the 1.5 million people they screened, the number of people with moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety¹ steadily increased throughout the past year.

“As the pandemic relentlessly persists, we are seeing the highest levels of anxiety and depression reported since the pandemic² hit the U.S. in March,” said Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of MHA. “This is a troubling trend being fueled by loneliness and isolation.”

No matter why you’re feeling anxious, remember: You’re not alone. Many different types of treatment options and therapies are still available to help you cope with, manage and move beyond your anxiety.

Virtual Therapy or Telehealth

This past year, the availability of telehealth appointments, or audio/visual calls with a therapist or health professional, has skyrocketed. Although the tech to accommodate virtual appointments has been around for more than a decade, the lockdowns and social distancing requirements brought on by COVID propelled many companies to start offering telehealth as a viable choice for receiving treatment.

In fact, Amwell’s 2020 Physician and Consumer survey found that, of those surveyed, the percentage of physicians who offered telehealth nearly quadrupled³ from 22% to 80% between 2019 and 2020. And the number of consumers who took advantage of virtual care grew from 8% in 2019 to 22% in 2020. The medical industry in general has rapidly pivoted this past year to accommodate the needs of patients who have restricted in-person appointment availability and options, no matter what the reasons. It’s clear from the surge in use that telehealth is likely here to stay.

Online Anxiety Rehab Programs

Similarly to the medical industry, today many treatment centers around the world have recognized the need and demand for more online therapy and rehab programs. These virtual outpatient programs offer flexible, ongoing support and treatment from the privacy of your own home. Online anxiety programs can include virtual clinics, online support groups, and one-on-one counseling sessions.

Many centers in our directory offer online and telehealth treatment options to help you find the care you need without having to overcome any physical or location logistical challenges.

Inpatient Anxiety Treatment

Even though online treatment is a great solution for many people, if you have a severe form of anxiety, inpatient rehab centers offer both a more intensive level of care and a more immersive treatment experience. Seeking inpatient treatment during the pandemic can still be a viable option. Many anxiety treatment centers have remained open, fully operating with all of the necessary, state-required COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

RehabPath’s up-to-date list of open treatment centers with COVID-19 measures in place can help you find access to in-person treatment from some of the best rehabs around the world.

More Information on Healing from Anxiety

Types of Therapies for Anxiety

Part of the fear that comes with seeking treatment is the fear of the unknown: What’s actually going to happen when I get help for my anxiety? And that fear only makes your anxiety worse! So, understanding the types of therapies your counselor or rehab center may use can help you overcome that fear and reduce your anxiety around actually getting help.

Therapists use many different types of therapies to treat anxiety:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):⁴ This is a form of talk therapy that focuses on equipping you with strategies to understand and change your thinking and behavioral patterns. CBT is the most commonly used therapy to treat anxiety.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT):⁵ The goal of MBCT is to help you better understand your mind and your moods by combining cognitive therapy practices with meditative, mindfulness practices.
Experiential Therapy: Going beyond talk therapy, this approach recreates real experiences to help you understand your inner thoughts and better process your emotions. Examples of some of the methods used in experiential therapy include art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, and psychodrama.
Stress Management: One common root cause of anxiety is chronic stress. This type of therapy will help you identify areas or events in your life adding to your stress, and therefore, anxiety levels.

These therapies can also be used to treat other mental illnesses, like depression and OCD. If your anxiety co-occurs with other mental illnesses, these therapies may be an effective treatment option for your co-occurring mental health issues as well.

Learn Techniques for Managing Anxiety

One of the most impactful effects of getting treatment for anxiety is learning techniques for managing your anxiety that you can rely on and use for the rest of your life. No matter how you get treatment for your anxiety, your therapist will likely equip you with the skills to manage your anxiety at home and to prevent your anxiety from reaching a critical point. Plus, the support you receive from a therapist and/or a program for overcoming your anxiety can continue—with aftercare options and ongoing therapy, your path to healing can be as short or as long as you need it to be.

Find the Best Rehab for Your Anxiety

No matter what your current living, work and relationship circumstances are, you don’t have to suffer through your anxiety. You can get help. There are many local, national and international treatment options and types of therapy available. You can explore our collection of treatment centers by location, treatment approach, or therapy type to find the one that’s best for you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Going to Rehab for Anxiety

Can you go to rehab for anxiety?

Yes, many rehabs treat anxiety. Treatment options include online and inpatient anxiety rehab programs.

How long should you stay in rehab for anxiety?

The length of stay in rehab for anxiety varies widely based on your unique symptoms. Most rehabs offer 30-90 day programs.

What types of therapy help with anxiety?

These therapies are commonly used to treat anxiety:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness-based Cognitive therapy (MBCT)
• Experiential therapy
• Stress management

Gambling addiction is more common than most people realize—it’s a global problem that’s only getting worse. Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on gambling addiction due to its “unprecedented growth.”¹ The WHO stressed the need to extend and enhance treatment for problem gambling. The good news is, while it’s undoubtedly a serious concern, this addiction is proven to be treatable. Here, we’ll outline available treatment options and what to look for in a gambling addiction treatment center if you or someone you love needs help.

When Is Gambling an Addiction?

Gambling addiction is markedly different from taking an occasional trip to the casino—the impulse to bet, play and win is too strong to control. Those suffering from gambling addiction experience a compulsive urge to bet despite the increasingly negative consequences it carries. With problem gambling, winning provides a sense of euphoria and pleasure that serves as a short-term high. When a gambling addict loses, they begin to chase their losses, trying to win back the money (and pleasure) they lost—resulting in a cycle that’s very difficult to escape.

Sign and Symptoms of Gambling Impulse-Control Disorder

If you’re addicted to gambling, you’ve likely experienced some of these symptoms:

Gambling to counteract negative emotions
Irritability or restlessness when not gambling
Efforts to be secretive about gambling
Not being able to stop, chasing losses
Obsessing about the next big win
Betting more than you can afford

If gambling causes you to lose significant time, money or relationships, this is indicative of compulsive gambling, a disorder that can significantly impact many areas of your life.

gambling and depression — Research shows problem gamblers are twice as likely to be depressed as those who don’t have a gambling problem.

Problem Gambling and Substance Abuse

Pathological gambling often coexists with other addictions or mental health concerns. In fact, one recent report states that problem gamblers are four times more likely to abuse alcohol² than those without a gambling problem. Common cross-addictions include gambling with alcoholism and gambling with cocaine addiction, which often go hand-in-hand because of the environments in which people typically gamble, like casinos and parties.

Depression, Anxiety and Pathological Gambling

Gambling impulse-control disorder is also often associated with mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. In fact, problem gamblers are twice as likely to be depressed³ as those who don’t have a gambling problem.

For those struggling with depression or anxiety, gambling can artificially mitigate negative feelings in the moment. But over time, this cycle—feeling depressed or anxious, self-medicating with gambling, eventually losing a bet which leads to even more intense negative feelings, and gambling to combat that depressed or anxious state—gets out of control, and often requires professional treatment to overcome.

Treatment Methods for Gambling Addiction

As problem gambling becomes increasingly widespread, addiction experts work to find innovative and effective treatments, as well as honing time-tested, evidence-based therapy tools. Here are some popular treatment options:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most common and effective treatment options for process addictions like gambling. Gambling addiction functions on two levels: automatic and irrational thought patterns, and malfunctioning in the brain’s reward system. CBT works to address both.

The first goal of CBT for gambling addiction⁴ is to weaken the compulsion to gamble and give you a sense of mastery over this urge. Then, specialized clinicians help you understand, on a neurochemical level, that the long-term negative impacts of gambling far outweigh the short-term pleasure it delivers. Eventually, you’ll be able to employ the healthy strategies you learn in treatment to real-life scenarios.

Medication

In addition to CBT, counselors sometimes prescribe medications to help curb the compulsive behaviors attached to gambling impulse-control disorder. Indeed, the medication most often used to treat gambling addictions are those used to treat other compulsive disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Medication is most effective when used in combination with CBT.

Group Therapy

Group therapy, available both on-site at treatment centers and in the form of fellowships like Gamblers Anonymous, is a truly healing treatment option for gambling addiction. In this setting, you’ll benefit from sharing your story with others, learning you’re not alone and receiving support from those with common experiences. You’ll also have the opportunity to form lasting relationships with people who understand what you’re going through and support your recovery progress.

Holistic Therapies

Holistic modalities like meditation, yoga and massage are a great complement to conventional addiction treatments. Ideally, they should be employed alongside conventional methods like CBT. Holistic therapies encourage healing on all levels for a well-rounded outcome and accelerate your treatment progress. Meditation, for instance, creates a sense of security and mental calm that can help you open up in talk therapy.

group therapy gambling — Group therapy lets participants share their stories with others with similar experiences, reinforcing the knowledge that you’re not alone.

How to Choose a Gambling Addiction Rehab

Gambling is a complex disorder that has far-reaching effects in all aspects of your life. Dr. Marie Hartwell-Walker, a psychologist and gambling treatment expert, explains, “There is no one size fits all treatment. However, treatment always begins with recognizing the problem. The next step to reclaiming sanity and stability is to see a counselor for an evaluation and a treatment plan.” She recommends a multifaceted gambling addiction treatment approach⁵ that involves a combination of CBT, treatment for co-occurring disorders, social and family support, medication-assisted recovery and financial help.

There are plenty of available options for addressing problem gambling, with many rehabs offering robust programming that’s focused specifically on this complex disorder. As a precursor to your treatment, consider the following factors:

Who Should Assess Your Situation and Recommend Treatment Options?

You’ve probably heard of various treatment options, like inpatient, outpatient, day treatment and so forth. While inpatient rehab is more intensive and provides a more substantial removal from your triggers, outpatient rehab allows you to continue working, spending time with your family and otherwise attending to your usual responsibilities while in treatment. How do you know which one to pick? The good news is you don’t have to, nor should you. Let a professional conduct a comprehensive clinical evaluation or assessment and provide treatment recommendations accordingly. Primary care physicians can screen for gambling disorder or you can seek out a private therapist or psychiatrist to assess your situation and history. Some treatment centers offer evaluations, conducted by licensed clinicians, separately and will either recommend their services if they are a fit or refer you elsewhere.

Is the Treatment Center Specialized in Gambling Disorders?

When choosing a rehab, specialization is always an important consideration. Addiction is an insidious disorder that functions on multiple levels—mental, emotional, physical and spiritual—and it requires a laser-focused expert approach to unpack. Make sure your rehab has licensed clinicians with experience specifically treating gambling addiction and that they can customize your treatment plan to fit your needs.

Do You Want Holistic Therapy Options?

Successful gambling addiction treatment goes well beyond the initial 28 days. It’s about making changes in your thinking and lifestyle that improve your overall well-being. Choosing a rehab that offers holistic therapies as well as conventional methods ensures you have access to a more complete treatment for your body, mind and spirit. To make the most of your time in rehab, you may want access to activities that keep you relaxed, present and more receptive to treatment.

Finding High-Quality Gambling Addiction Treatment at Rehab

Many rehab centers have the ability to offer you the best in treatment, addiction experts, location and facilities. High-end rehabs also tend to have a lower staff-to-patient ratio, allowing for more attention and personalized care—all of which has a profound impact on your recovery. For more information on some the best treatment centers worldwide, visit our collection of gambling addiction treatment centers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gambling Addiction Treatment

Can you go to rehab for gambling addiction?

Yes, you can. Treatment at rehab for gambling addiction may combine talk therapies like CBT, group therapy, holistic therapies, and medication to help curb compulsive behaviors.

What type of therapy is used for gambling addiction?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is often used to treat gambling addiction. Usually, rehabs combine this with other treatment methods like family, group, and holistic therapies.

What’s the best treatment for gambling addiction?

There isn’t one best therapy for gambling addiction. Good-quality rehabs customize plans to clients’ needs, which often include common gambling disorder treatments:

• Psychotherapies
• Medication
• Support groups, like Gamblers Anonymous

Tag: Anxiety

Anxiety Treatment Options Explained: Virtual, Outpatient, and Residential Care