Template for CCSU Prevention

                            COMPULSIVE & PROBLEM GAMBLING
                     Material on this page taken from the website of the Connecticut Council of
                       problem gambling. It may be found at:http://www.ccpg.org/index.asp

The terms "problem" and "disordered" gambling are encompassing terms which refer to the full range of gambling problems, from mild to severe. The terms "compulsive", "pathological" and "addictive" gambling all refer to a serious mental disorder characterized by out of control gambling resulting in severe negative personal, family, financial, work and/or legal consequences.

Some Important Facts

The compulsive gambler may be a person of either gender, of any age and from
from any social, ethnic and economic group.

Compulsive gamblers wager on any form of legal and/or illegal gambling, including the area of business and the financial markets.

High school and college students have a higher rate of compulsive gambling than the general adult population.

An individual who has had a problem with any substance is at a higher risk for developing a gambling problem. The compulsive gambler is often more difficult to identify than the substance abuser.

People with serious mental/emotional disorders (especially depression) have a higher risk for compulsive gambling.

Compulsive gamblers usually deny they have a problem and wait until the situation is desperate before seeking help. Family members are encouraged to seek assistance for themselves and consultation concerning how to increase the likelihood the compulsive gambler will seek help.

Addiction Signs

Ask yourself the following questions to see if you may have
a gambling problem.

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

3. Did gambling affect your reputation?

4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve
financial difficulties?

6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back
your losses?

8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?

14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?

16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to
finance gambling?

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to
gamble?

19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours
of gambling?

20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of
your gambling?

Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions. Regardless of how many questions you answered affirmatively, if you feel you have a problem, please call call the Counseling and Wellness Center at 832-1945 or follow the following link:

http://www.ccpg.org/index.asp

The 20 questions are from Gamblers Anonymous, a self-help organization for men and women who share experiences, support and hope to recover from a gambling problem. For more information about Gamblers Anonymous or to find a meeting in your area visit the Gamblers Anonymous Web site at: www.gamblersanonymous.org

PROBLEM GAMBLING WARNING SIGNS

Questions to ask yourself:

Is gambling the most exciting activity in your life?
Do you miss school, activities, or other events due to gambling?
Has anyone expressed concern about your gambling?
Do you lie to your friends or family about your gambling?
Do you borrow money to gamble?
Have you sold personal belongings to get money to gamble?
Have you stolen from your family, friends, or employer to gamble or to pay back gambling debts?
After losing, do you try to win your money back by gambling?
Are you preoccupied with thoughts of gambling?
Have you tried to stop gambling but can't?

If you are concerned, you can call the Helpline at 1.800.346.6238, a free, confidential information and referral service that has counselors available 24 hours a day. The Helpline is provided by The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling

RECOVERY AND TREATMENT

In 1982, the State of Connecticut established the Compulsive Gambling Treatment Program. The program has successfully treated hundreds of problem gamblers and their families.

On January 15, 1998, gambling treatment became available at sites across Connecticut. At any of the Bettor Choice sites, an individualized treatment plan is developed for each client, and may include individual, group, marital, and/or family therapy. Financial counseling is also available. Clients are seen weekly, or more frequently, depending on need. Typically, treatment addresses the following issues:

Finding hope
Reducing financial pressure
Regaining self-esteem
Coping with guilt, shame, and remorse
Stopping gambling
Coping with urges and cravings to gamble
Developing healthy relationships
Regaining trust and becoming trustworthy
Returning to rational thinking

When you call a Bettor Choice site, please indicate a need for help with gambling-related issues.

	CT Compulsive Gambling Treatment Center CT Valley Hospital Middletown, CT 06457 860-344-2244 Additional Site: New Haven

	Family Intervention Center Waterbury, CT 06702 203-753-2153

	Family Services Association Norwich, CT 06360 860-892-7042 Additional Sites: New London, Old Saybrook

	McDonough House Bridgewater, CT 06752 860-345-4423 Additional Site: Danbury

	Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, CT 06856 203-852-2988 Additional Sites: Westport, Stamford

	Wheeler Clinic Plainville, CT 06062 860-793-3588 Additional Site: Hartford

Gamblers Anonymous (GA) and Gam-Anon are twelve step programs. Meetings are held at various locations throughout Connecticut and the United States. GA is for gamblers and Gam-Anon is for those who have been impacted by a gambler's problem. The national telephone number for GA is 213-386-8789. The national telephone number for Gam-Anon is 718-352-1671.

Click below to view the meeting schedule:
Connecticut Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon Meetings

Go to this website for a recently published article on college students and how problem or compulsive gambling frequently coincides with other high-
risk behaviors.

Gambling and Other Risk Behaviors on University Campuses
Douglas Engwall, PhD, Robert Hunter, PhD, Marvin Steinburg, PhD

http://www1.ncaa.org/membership/enforcement/gambling/ct_gambling_study.pdf

LINKS

Addiction Research Foundation Problem Gambling Library
AGA Responsible Gaming Resource Guide
Australian Institute for Gambling Research
Canadian Center on Substance Abuse
CT Clearinghouse
CT Partnership for Responsible Gambling
Gam-Anon
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Intervention Services
Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming
International Gaming Institute - UNLV
McGill University Youth Gambling Research & Treatment Clinic
National Center for Responsible Gaming
National Certified Gambling Counselor Information
National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Council on Problem Gambling
Responsible Gambling Council(Ontario)
- State Affiliates of the National Council on Problem Gambling
National Gambling Impact Study Commission
Newscan
Newslinx
Prevention Researcher
Problem Gambling.Com
Research & Treatment Clinic
The Wager
Trimeridian
Wheeler Clinic
Women and Problem Gambling - Peardonville House