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Gambling Addiction Services
What is gambling addiction?
Gambling is often seen as a form of entertainment, but gambling addiction is far from entertaining. Video lottery terminals are just one of many forms of gambling, but they are more likely to result in addictive behavior than any other form of gambling. Nevertheless, it is definitely possible to become addicted to any form of gambling including bingo, betting on horse races, and scratch tickets.
An indication of addiction is when the behavior, in question, is causing more pain than pleasure. The two major signs of gambling addiction are loss of control over the amount of time and money spent and continuing to gamble despite negative consequences - financial, emotional, familial, vocational, and/or legal.
Gambling Addiction Services
Gambling Addiction Services offers a range of client centered programming to help problem gamblers recover from their addiction. These include screening and assessment, short term stabilization in the in-patient detoxification unit (if necessary), individual counseling, group therapy, psycho-educational sessions, family counseling, after-care, long-term follow-up, and referral to other agencies, eg, Gamblers Anonymous, and Credit Counseling Services. Case plans are individualized and are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client.
Gambling Addiction Services is coordinated by counselors based at the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert. In-patient detoxification is available at the Provincial Facility while out-patient rehabilitation services are offered at both the Provincial Facility and through regional Addiction Services across the province.
How are people referred to Gambling Addiction Services?
Individuals may call and request an appointment. Referrals are also accepted from family members, friends, family doctors, employee assistance programs, private agencies, and government departments.
How does Gambling Addiction Services work?
Problem gamblers often experience some of the withdrawal symptoms that are experienced by people who are withdrawing from alcohol or other drugs. These include: extreme restlessness, insomnia, depression, headache, and irritability. Short-term stabilization in the in-patient detoxification unit provides a safe, supportive, medical environment for those with an advanced gambling addiction, while out-patient services are designed to meet the needs of people who have less severe gambling problems.
Following stabilization, clients may engage in individual counseling and/or a three week out-patient group rehabilitation program which is followed by a six month after-care program. The group rehabilitation program is offered on an as-needed basis, and it is held during either the day or the evening depending on the needs of each particular group of clients. The group program includes: psycho-educational sessions on shame, managing cravings, lifestyle changes, stress management, the impact of addiction on families, cognitive distortions, and self-defeating beliefs.
Program goals
The goals of the Gambling Addiction Program include:
- Empowering clients to stop gambling
- Helping clients to develop and maintain a healthy support system
- Strengthening self-esteem and confidence so clients no longer need to resort to gambling to avoid life’s problems
- Introducing other forms of leisure and recreation to fill the void left by stopping gambling
- Developing a realistic money management and debt reduction plan
- Developing new problem solving skills
- Repairing family and other relationships that have been damaged by gambling
Anne-Marie Bolger, BA, MA, MSW, CADC Supervisor, Gambling Addiction Services
John Goedike, BA, ICADC, Gambling Addiction Counselor
This information has been taken from www.gov.pe.ca