Knoxville Gambling Addiction Therapy

Gambling Addiction in Knoxville, TN—Therapists and Counselors

Vegas. Atlantic City. Reno. Monte Carlo. These are the iconic places to gamble, but the reality is that more and more people are gambling in their hometowns and even in their living rooms. Utah and Hawaii are the only states where there is not a way to gamble legally. With accessibility, gambling is a common form of entertainment. For some, gambling is not a problem. They place their bets; they win or lose; they go on with their lives. For others, gambling is a problem. Much like alcohol, gambling can become addictive. Gambling can interfere with people’s lives. Gambling can change their brains. But also like alcohol addiction, there are treatments and intervention for gambling addiction.

“There are many harsh lessons to be learned from the gambling experience, but the harshest one of all is the difference between having Fun and being Smart.”
—Hunter S. Thompson

Thriveworks Knoxville offers therapy for gambling addiction, and we have seen clients take back control of their lives from out of control gambling.

The Brain and Gambling Addiction

For several decades, mental health professionals have known that gambling can become a problem for people. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) classified different mental health challenges that people can face, and in the 1980s, it categorized compulsive gambling under the label of impulsive control disorder. More recently, mental health professionals have changed their classification. The most recent edition of the DSM places compulsive gambling within the chapter of addiction.

Recent studies have shown that what happens in the brain of a compulsive gambler is very similar to other addictions, even to substances like opioids or alcohol. When a gambling addiction develops, dopamine floods an individual’s brain so that they feel a kind of high as they gamble. It is not gambling, per se, that people are addicted to but that the emotions they feel as they gamble.

Symptoms of Gambling Disorder

Many people who gamble are not addicted. However, many people who gamble are addicted. The journal Scientific American studied the phenomenon and found that as many as 2 million adults in the US are struggling with a gambling addiction. One in 165 men and 1 in 500 women will struggle at some point in their life.

The DSM-5 outlines criteria for behavior that constitutes a gambling addiction. Of the signs and symptoms, an individual must display at least four within a continuous 12-month period.

  • Using more and more money when gambling to experience the same high.
  • Feelings of irritability or restlessness when trying to stop or curb gambling.
  • Frequently thinking about gambling: rehashing past experiences or arranging for future experiences.
  • Using betting as a coping mechanism for feeling anxious, guilty, depression, or another hard emotion.
  • Trying to win back money lost through gambling.
  • Lying about how much, when, where, and how one is gambling.
  • Risking not just money but also jobs, relationships, opportunities, and more in order to gamble.
  • Experiencing financial difficulties because of gambling; relying upon others to supply the money needed to gamble.

Gambling Addiction and Belief Patterns

There are a number of ways that a gambling addiction can change how an individual views themselves, the world, and others. The peak of the iceberg in a gambling addiction are the coin slots, the bets, the sporting events, but underneath these actions are distorted belief patterns. Certain belief patterns reinforce or fuel the gambling addiction. Two of the most common distorted belief patterns found among gambling addicts include…

  • Superstitions: These are rituals that have no logical or physiological connection to the gamble, but that an addict believes will contribute to a bet’s success. It may involve playing a particular slot machine or wearing a particular article of clothing or drinking a particular drink. These superstitions are distorted beliefs that perpetuate the addiction.
  • Denial: Addicts are well-known for minimizing the mental health challenge they are facing, and gambling addicts are no different. While gambling certainly can be entertainment, addicts may label their compulsive actions as entertainment to hide the extent of the problem. They may lie to loved ones about their financial situation. They often lie to themselves, justifying their behavior in some way.

Setting Up an Appointment for Gambling Addiction Treatment with Thriveworks Knoxville

If gambling is causing problems in your life, consider reaching out for help. If you recognized any of the symptoms of a gambling addiction, it may be time to meet with a mental health professional. Thriveworks Knoxville offers therapy for gambling addiction, and we have helped many people reset their brain and regain control.

Each client at Thriveworks Knoxville receives individualized care, but often, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a part of the treatment plan. CBT focuses upon the intersection between what people believe and how they behavior. It helps clients recognize the distorted thinking patterns of a gambling addiction. Once people can discern these false beliefs, they can work on changing them and changing the behaviors that flow from them.

If you are ready to get started on treatment, so are we. When you call Thriveworks Knoxville, one of our scheduling specialists (that is, a real person) will answer and help you find an appointment time. We offer evening and weekend sessions. New clients often have their first appointment within 24 hours of their first call. We also accept a variety of insurance plans. Let’s get started. Call today.

Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 19 5 1 19 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall was great

★★★★★
I saw Justin for assistance with OCD. He showed me how to look at things in a way that did not allow my OCD to take over. I will would highly recommend him.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Anxiety

★★★★★
I have been taking my 7 year old grandson to see Justin. He had horrible anxiety. It saddened us to see how bad it was. He had developed tics. Justin was absolutely wonderful with him. He has overcome most of his fears and tics have went away. I would highly recommend Justin.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Cannot Recommend Enough

★★★★★
Going to Thriveworks for the past year and a half has been the most rewarding counseling experience I’ve had. Seeing Lindsey has had the single biggest impact on my emotional and mental health, especially in healing from past childhood abuse and trauma, and ongoing PTSD. Out of multiple counselors in two states, Lindsey Chandler is by far the one with whom I’ve felt the most accepted, supported, and encouraged by. I am grateful for the Thriveworks space, as it is not at all clinical nor intimidating, but entirely warn and welcoming. It is nearly a scent-free environment, which is vital for the comfort of any highly sensitive persons. I choose to drive an hour from home each visit specifically to stay loyal to a place where I finally feel safe and valued—where in the past commuting five minutes from home to work with a therapist felt like a chore and an ordeal—and I will continue to do so as I work further toward a healthier me.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Dr Neal is amazing!!

★★★★★
Dr Neal has helped me more in the last 2 months than any other therapist in the last 5 years. Therapy has become a joy instead of a chore. :)
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall

★★★★★
Justin Hall is an excellent therapist. Very easy to talk to and genuinely concerned with the patient.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Amanda Gilliam

★★★★★
Amanda Gilliam has been such a blessing in helping my daughter deal with her anxiety issues. My daughter is much stronger and confident now thanks to Amanda's expertise,dedication, and just willing to talk about whatever my daughter wants to talk about! Great person to call if you in know someone dealing with anxiety!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Mrs. Amanda

★★★★★
My son saw “Mrs. Amanda” as he affectionately called her shortly after my marriage ended in a high conflict divorce. My son was 6 years old at the time, so it was difficult for him to process his feelings without knowing how to communicate with us. Amanda Gilliam was always there to listen and provide outlets for him to speak openly about his feelings in a way that could be understood. She is top knotch in my book and I would highly recommend her as a professional!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Justin Hall

★★★★★
I was in sessions with Justin for about a year and highly recommend him. He has a deep grasp of psychology that he is constantly refreshing and renewing, and he was able to help me a lot in understanding what was driving the emotions and feelings of myself and close family members. He was a great help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Karen Trotter

★★★★★
Karen has been so AWESOME in assisting with my daughter’s healing process. It’s been a blessing having so many diverse avenues for myself & my daughter to communicate with Karen & her immediate responses 😘. I tried to rate Karen as 5 + but it wouldn’t let me 😁
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Not the place for me

★☆☆☆☆
I have attended one session alone and a second session with my then girlfriend at her urging me to seek couples therapy, in this session I was basically felt like all the relationship issues were my fault and as I was pressured more and more about my issues I walked out of the session to collect my thoughts as I was being bombarded by both my girlfriend and my therapist. Apparently after I stepped out the therapist told my girlfriend that I was worse than an addict and she was sorry but didn’t feel I was worth attending counseling with, this resulted in the end of that relationship before We even left the office. I have other issues and have realized that I am suffering from depression due to other issues and this has added to my depression. At this point I have no intention of returning to see this counselor or any other counselor there as they have added to my problems leaving me feeling like I am not good enough. Honestly if this is how they make their clients feel then as far as I’m concerned this office shouldn’t even exist. I need to find out how I can be refunded at Least a portion of the money I’ve “wasted” on this experience and hope I can find someone else who is willing to help me work through my issues and not feel persecuted.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Makes Getting Better Easy

★★★★★
I can't thank Amanda Brooks enough. She's an amazing person and is an amazing place. After calling about 15 therapists and getting immediately turned away, returned my call within the hour and Amanda was hand-picked for me and my situation. I got an appointmentheduled that day. There's ALWAYS time for me andheduling/canceling is never a hassle. There's a therapist on call 24/7 and Amanda always makes time for me when I need it. The office is a lovely, calming place and I always feel comfortable and welcome. It makes getting better easy.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Amanda genuinely cares

★★★★★
Amanda helped/helps me is so so many ways. No matter what I come into the office with she helps me problem solve and always genuinely cares about what I have to say or about how I feel. I feel like I can come to her with anything and there will be no judgement. She always welcomes me with a smile and helps me dig deep in every session and I couldn't ask for a better support.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Perfect Therapist for My Child

★★★★★
Amanda Brooks has been a wonderful and supportive therapist for my child who was suffering from depression and anxiety. My child is very picky about who she trusts and Amanda has been the perfect therapist; she immediately put my child at ease and has been there for emotional support whenever we needed her help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Definitely Recommend

★★★★★
I have been very pleased with my experience at Thriveworks. Amanda has helped my children and I learn to deal with some major life issues. She has provided us with a listening ear and helpfulsolutions. She has helped us all develop skills to deal with life's ups and downs in a productive, positive way. I highly recommend her!
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Shocked

★☆☆☆☆
Justin was very rude to us when he was the one who didn't listen and made aheduling error. He was inappropriate to me in front of my son. Wouldn't recommend.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Peace Keeper

★★★★★
Amanda Brooks has been such an excellent help to me throughout the past 2 1/2 years I've had her as my therapist. Ive been able to speak to her like I haven't even my closest friends. She's helped me to work through & over come many different obstacles, as well as past trauma in my lifetime & continues to help me find peace with my past, present & future. She's been my peace keeper through it all.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Life Changing

★★★★★
Justin Hall has changed my life and the way that I approach it. He has a way of helping one redirect behaviors and ideas in order to improve overall quality of life. I would recommend him to anyone who wants positive change in thinking.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Helped me out in a bad situation.

★★★★★
My work environment had become extremely difficult over the last 5 years. Justin helped me deal with a very dysfunctional system. Nothing has changes as far as circumstance, but my approach and thinking has changed. Things are much better. Very practical. Would recommend Justin to anyone looking for help.
Thriveworks Counseling Knoxville

Excellent

★★★★★
My experience with Dr. Williams has been more than helpful. I initially came to her for couples counseling, but ended up seeing her one on one and finding my sanity again. My experience has been more than helpful. I highly recommend her.
See fewer reviews

Thriveworks Counseling

Videos

  • 10434 Jackson Oaks Way
    Knoxville, TN 37922

  • Mon-Fri:7:30AM-9PM
    Saturday:7AM-6PM
    Sunday:8AM-5PM

It’s Time to Start a Relationship with a Thriveworks Counselor

It’s not easy, but we’re extremely selective about the counselors, psychologists, and coaches that join our practice. Experience a provider with skill and passion for helping clients make meaningful advances in their lives, relationships, careers, and happiness.


Get Started Today!

Pin It on Pinterest