Why Are Guided Meditations Such an Effective Treatment for Compulsive Gambling Problems?

Compulsive Gambling is a progressive illness. That means it gets worse the longer it goes untreated. The only effective treatment known for gambling problems at this time is to stop gambling completely. Problem Gambling is similar to other addictive behavior in that way. Whether it is tobacco addiction, alcohol addiction, or any other problem behavior, the best and only truly effective method to treat seems to be to stop.

Part of the problem with behavioral issues is that the more one does the unwanted behavior, the deeper the behavior becomes rooted in the brain. Neural pathways seem to grow deeper and stronger and there doesn't seem to be a way to do just a little of whatever the problem behavior is, without stimulating those neural pathways and reinforcing the synaptic loops. Cold Turkey, total cessation seems to be the only treatment.

To successfully manage this behavior requires support from several sources to really increase the chances of success. 12 step programs, such as the one offered by Gamblers Anonymous, work well for many people. Other people find more success with private therapy and some combine the two. The more effort put into the attempt to control the behavior, the better the results.

The drive to gamble, like all drives, urges, and emotions, seems to be located in and originate from the subconscious, also called the unconscious mind. It has been shown that the conscious mind processes only about 50 bits of information per second while the subconscious processes an amazing 50,000 bits per second. In behavioral matters the urges of the subconscious often use that advantage to force unwanted behavior to continue. That is why guided meditations for gambling problems work so well at helping to control gambling problems.

During a guided meditation, the user is relaxed and his or her subconscious mind becomes more accessible. When it is accessible, the facilitator, in this case the therapist who is guiding the meditation, may use positive suggestions to convince the subconscious to accept new behavior. When the subconscious becomes convinced that non-gambling is in the best interest it has a strong urge to stop gambling and the urge to gamble begins to abate. New neural pathways begin to form and non-gambling actually begins to become a habit. With continued exposure to the guided meditation and suggestions the new behavior is reinforced and becomes stronger.

The use of guided meditations for relaxation and to control compulsive gambling is becoming more widespread. Because guided meditations are so easy to use, there is no way to fail, they are widely accepted and appreciated and easily adapt to any lifestyle or user.

One of the nice side effects of guided meditations is that they relax the users, and that, in itself, helps the affected person to deal more successfully with the gambling problems. With the availability of computer downloads of MP3 sound files for gambling problems, a user may download a guided meditation for a specific purpose and then listen to it whenever he or she pleases.

Part of the effectiveness of the treatment lies in its flexibility and availability. Gambling problems are still difficult to treat, but using guided relaxation meditations as adjunctive therapy is helping many people to manage their illness and regain control of their lives.

Wil Langford, R. Hy., is a 54 yr. old. Clinical Hypnotherapist, Integrated Energy Therapist, spiritual guide, author. He has successfully used biofeedback and light and sound machines as well as hypnosis and guided meditations. He is the author of, "Your Loved Ones, Your Self; finding and Raising the Family Within," A guide to the parts of human consciousness.

With hundreds of hours of clinical work with clients with behavioral issues, Wil is an expert at finding the keys to controlling problem behavior, no matter how impossible the task may seem. According to Wil, "All behavior starts in the subconscious so that is the place to successfully treat your unwanted behavior. Relaxation and Hypnosis, the method I use, was approved as a successful method by the American Medical Association, because it works!"

Learn more about Wil's methods and using simple and effective guided meditations for relaxation and to change your unwanted behavior at Gambling Problems