ith online gambling growing exponentially in Indonesia and contributing to an increase in suicides and gruesome crimes, the government is looking to address the issue through preventive measures, particularly by opening a rehabilitation center recently in Bogor, West Java.
Becoming a part of the Marzoeki Mahdi Psychiatric Hospital under the supervision of the Health Ministry, the clinic offers 28-day inpatient treatment for people with gambling disorders as well as outpatient therapy.
The Hospital’s president director, Nova Riyanti Yusuf, said outpatient treatment was recommended for gambling addicts who could still function in work or social activities.
“But, patients who struggle to perform daily tasks, have mounting debts, severe anxiety or are involved in criminal activities must receive inpatient care,” Nova said during the clinic opening on July 10.
She explained that the clinic would implement various types of behavioral therapy for people with gambling disorders, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI) and self-help.
These methods have been found to be effective for a wide range of mental health problems, including addiction.
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