A new breed of Bitcoin addicts are increasingly identified and offered treatment at a Scotland clinic!
Bitcoin-what it is?
Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency that could also be used as a payment mode. It is the world’s first decentralized digital currency and is being increasingly adopted by people around the globe though it is still considered illegal in many countries by their governments. Since there is no intermediary, there are no commissions or such things involved in any transactions carried out by it.
It was started by an unknown person or maybe a group of people who go by the name Satoshi Nakamoto and the whole project was released as open-source software in 2009.
Addictions to Bitcoin
A great number of people worldwide are getting hooked to the digital system and trading on it has been going on ever since its inception.
There have been wide and high price fluctuations and traders are into furious buying and selling sprees. It has taken an ‘addiction’ form for many traders and people and they are suffering the consequences of it.
Trading has become a high-risk zone and sort of gambling and has led to problems for those who deal with it.
Christopher Burn, a gambling therapist at Castle Craig, Scotland has identified such bitcoin addicts. He states:
“The high risk, fluctuating cryptocurrency market appeals to the problem gambler. It provides excitement and an escape from reality. Bitcoin, for example, has been heavily traded and huge gains and losses were made. It’s a classic bubble situation.”
People are good on to such trading for hours on end with no respite and their physical and mental health suffers. It may also lead to troubles in their family life and neglect on that front. They see it as a way to get rich in a flash.
Castle Craig Hospital is a de-addiction center along the Scottish borders which treats people with traditional alcohol and drug addiction.
But it has now recognized a new clan of people who are addicts of cryptocurrency and has begun addressing this new rising issue.
The center said in a statement:
“This can be exciting but also addictive and, like gambling addiction, can be financially disastrous.”
Bitcoin addicts identified and new treatment center for them
Castle Craig Hospital has extrapolated techniques that were developed for online gambling addicts. They offer help to people who like online gambling have developed a compulsion to trade in bitcoin.
There are more than 13 million people worldwide who deal in this digital currency but there are no figures as yet as to how many of them are addicted to it.
Tony Marini had in the past struggled with cocaine and gambling addiction himself. He is now rehabilitated and has gone on to become an on-site therapist at the hospital. Talking about the therapy offered.
Tony said:
“Having been through it myself, my experience of addiction gives me insight and empathy towards others who have the same problem. I see cryptocurrency trading as a way for people to escape from themselves, into another world, because they don’t like the world they’re in. The first stage of treatment is to join other addicts in group therapy and share their life stories. This helps them identify with each other and realise that they’re not alone.”
The cost of treatment
The bitcoin addicts are offered treatment which includes a 12-step program, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), trauma therapy, and equine therapy.
The price could run into £1,360 per week for an extended treatment program, and detox and intensive care starts from £2,975 per week.
A single en-suite bedroom in Castle Craig costs £4,970 per week. An executive program is also offered which costs £9,240 per week. At least 2 weeks of commitment are required from the patient for the treatment. External funding from Scotland NHS is also tried for those who need and cannot afford the treatment.
Related Post
Posted on: Thursday, July 14 2022
Posted on: Friday, January 29 2021
Posted on: Wednesday, August 8 2018
