Has confinement posed a risk for people suffering from addictions?
Confinement has aggravated addictions, during the Covid19 crisis we are seeing an increase in the number of people requesting to start addiction treatment, both in chemical and behavioral addictions. Boredom and frustration during isolation have increased the risk of relapse.
Are there any types of addictions that have rebounded during quarantine?
The consequences of confinement have meant that those patients undergoing treatment for pathological gambling disorder have been at risk of relapse during confinement. Pathological gambling is increasingly affecting young people, and isolation at home may have led to the initiation of vulnerable young people. Online gambling can aggravate addiction problems in the adolescent population.
What do you think is the main difference between pathological gambling and chemical addictions?
Pathological gambling disorder is currently included in the same diagnostic category as drug addictions. Pathological gambling is considered an addictive disorder, since “the clinical symptoms of gambling disorders are similar to those of drug-induced disorders”, justification given by the American Psychiatric Association.
Thus, pathological gambling or pathological gambling is currently considered a public health problem and has a devastating impact on the overall functioning of the individual at the individual, family and interpersonal relationship, academic/work and financial levels.
Is pathological gambling disorder sometimes associated with other mental disorders?
What we know as dual pathology, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social phobia, borderline personality disorder, psychosis, addictions to tobacco, cocaine, etc., and other mental problems.
What is the main challenge in assisting the rehabilitation of a person experiencing pathological gambling?
Gambling addiction is a psychological problem that can become a serious mental disorder, that is our challenge. The goal we have every day with patients suffering from gambling addiction is to replace the addictive behavior with new behavioral patterns. In addition, we work with our patients so that they end the treatment with a new lifestyle and good functioning.
In the case of addicted patients who were undergoing treatment, how do they continue with the therapy?
From the G.SINadicciones Clinic we have maintained both individual and group therapies through videoconference. With the relatives of our patients we have maintained telephone contact. In addition to providing specific guidelines to family members and patients to manage the discomfort and incorporate routines.