- Behavioral addiction treatment
Compulsive Behaviors & Behavioral Addiction
Not every addiction involves a substance. In 2013, the DSM-5 — the manual doctors use to diagnose mental health conditions — officially recognized Gambling Disorder as a behavioral addiction. Today, an estimated 1% of U.S. adults struggle with severe problem gambling, and another 2–3% show early warning signs. That’s millions of people whose lives are being disrupted by a behavior, not a substance.
Alyssa Mueller, CADC II — Clinical Director
Wavecrest Behavioral Health's Compulsive Behaviors program treats these conditions — often called process addictions — with the same seriousness we bring to alcohol and opioid treatment. That means clear diagnostic criteria, proven therapy methods, and integrated care for the depression, anxiety, and substance use that often show up alongside them. This page covers the behaviors we treat, our approach to care, and how treatment is structured across our Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, and Virtual IOP. Prevalence figures reflect data from the National Council on Problem Gambling. Diagnostic criteria per DSM-5 (2013) and ICD-11 (2019).
- We work with most PPO providers
We accept most PPO insurance providers.
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Gambling Disorder
Legal sports betting, mobile casino apps, and in-game purchases have changed what compulsive gambling looks like in the U.S. What used to mean a trip to a casino now lives in your pocket. It’s available 24/7 and offers constant rewards — the kind of unpredictable payout pattern that research has shown to be one of the most addictive reward systems there is.
Diagnostic Criteria We Screen For
A Gambling Disorder diagnosis requires four or more of these signs within a 12-month period:
- Needing to gamble with more and more money to get the same excitement (tolerance)
- "Chasing" losses — going back to try to win back money that's already been lost
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut back
- Lying to hide how much you gamble
- Repeated attempts to control or stop gambling that don't work
- Losing or risking an important relationship, job, or opportunity because of gambling
- Constantly thinking about gambling — replaying past bets, planning the next one, or figuring out how to get more money to gamble with
- Relying on other people to bail you out of financial trouble caused by gambling
- Gambling to cope with stress or difficult emotions
Evidence-Based Treatment for Gambling Disorder
Our approach draws on the strongest current research:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
To work through the thinking patterns that keep gambling going — beliefs like "I'm due for a win" or "I can control the outcome," and the urge to chase losses.
Motivational Interviewing
To build commitment to change, especially early in treatment when it's common to feel torn about quitting.
Relapse-prevention planning
Built around your specific triggers — payday, sporting events, drinking, financial stress, or easy access through an app.
Financial-harm-reduction planning
Including self-exclusion programs, banking controls, and involving a trusted person when it helps.
Medication management
For depression, anxiety, ADHD, or impulse-control issues, when appropriate, as part of our dual diagnosis treatment.
Gaming & other digital compulsions
In 2019, the World Health Organization added Gaming Disorder to its official list of medical conditions (ICD-11). We treat clients whose gaming, streaming, or social media use has gotten to the point of real, measurable harm — losing a job, failing out of school, or watching important relationships fall apart.
Treatment follows the same approach we use for gambling — CBT and Motivational Interviewing — with extra focus on getting sleep back on track, building structure into the day, and reconnecting with people in person instead of just online.
Co-occurring substance use & mental health
Behavioral addictions rarely show up alone. People with these conditions are more likely to also experience alcohol use disorder, stimulant use, depression, anxiety, ADHD, or bipolar spectrum conditions. Wavecrest is licensed for dual diagnosis treatment, which means we treat the mental health condition and the behavioral compulsion together, in the same program — instead of sending you to separate providers who never talk to each other.
— Wavecrest Clinical Team
Program Structure
Assessment & stabilization
A full assessment of your history, mental health, and life circumstances, including screening for gambling and gaming disorder and a safety plan if suicidal thoughts or self-harm are present.
PHP / IOP
Group and individual therapy 3–5 days a week, built into our regular clinical programming so you're not treated in isolation from everything else going on.
Virtual IOP option
For clients whose work, geography, or caregiving responsibilities preclude in-person care — with the same clinical curriculum.
Financial rebuild planning
Practical, judgment-free planning around debt, banking controls, and self-exclusion programs, coordinated with your case manager.
Family engagement
Spouses, partners, and parents are welcome to join our Connections family program.
Continuing care
Step down to standard outpatient care, plus alumni programming and referrals to 12-step groups like Gamblers Anonymous and SMART Recovery.
Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD)
We also treat adults dealing with Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD), recognized in ICD-11 as an impulse-control disorder. This often shows up as problematic pornography use, compulsive use of adult platforms, or repeated behavior that’s caused real harm to someone’s relationships, job, health, or personal values.
Treatment follows the same evidence-based approach as our other programs — CBT, Motivational Interviewing, relapse-prevention planning, and dual-diagnosis care — along with screening for co-occurring trauma or mood disorders, and a referral for sexual health care when needed.
This is clinical treatment, not moral judgment. Our goal is to help you bring your behavior back in line with your own values and reduce the harm it’s causing.
If this is the presentation you or a loved one is seeking help for, please call (866) 366-6178 and ask for a confidential clinical intake conversation. All calls are HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2 protected.
Compulsive Behavior Treatment at Wavecrest Behavioral Health
At Wavecrest Behavioral Health, we believe behavioral addictions deserve the same serious clinical care as any other addiction — and the same freedom from shame. Our Compulsive Behaviors program combines proven therapy with integrated dual-diagnosis care, real financial harm-reduction planning, and a family program that treats loved ones as part of your recovery, not just bystanders.
If gambling, gaming, or another compulsive behavior is costing you or someone you love, call Wavecrest today at (866) 366-6178. The conversation is confidential and there’s no obligation.
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Our admissions team is available around the clock to answer questions about our compulsive-behavior programs, verify insurance, and help you or a loved one take the next step.