|
Problem
Gambling 
DEFINITIONS
|
DEFINITION OF GAMBLING:
|
"Any experience involving wagering,
risking, or betting of money or valuables on an activity of
chance..."
|
| GAMBLING |
Gambling is any experience involving a
wagering, risking, or betting of money or any other valuables (home,
jewelry, art etc.) on an activity of chance (unpredictable income) where
money or valuables may be won or lost. |
| GAMBLER |
Anyone who participates in activities
involving the wagering, risking or betting of money or other valuables on
an activity of chance where money or valuables may won or lost. |
| SOCIAL GAMBLER |
A person who gambles a planned amount of
money for a limited period of time for recreational and social purposes
and who does not experience negative consequences as a result of gambling
activities. |
| PROBLEM GAMBLER |
A gambler who spends increasing amounts of
time, money and emotional investment in gambling or planning to gamble,
and as a result of gambling, experiences some negative consequences in
personal, family, academics or work pursuits. |
| COMPULSIVE GAMBLER |
A gambler who, in addition to the
characteristics of a problem gambler, is unable to control or limit the
amount of time and money spent on gambling activities. A compulsive
gambler is preoccupied with gambling, acquiring money to gamble, lies
about wins and losses, experiences a high need to be in the
"action" and experiences several negative consequences to
personal, family, academic or vocational pursuits. |
[Back
to Top]
How
Can I Gamble Responsibly?
For many people, gambling is fun and exciting. They enjoy
the experience as a form of entertainment. They make responsible decisions
about their money and time so that it never hurts them or their loved
ones. Here are a few tips to gambling responsibly:
-
Do not use cash machines to get
more money for gambling.
-
Do not 'chase' losses. Accept
them as the cost of entertainment.
-
Balance gambling with other
leisure activities.
-
Take frequent breaks while
gambling.
-
Be aware that risk increases at
times of loss or depression.
-
Don't borrow money to gamble.
-
Gamble for entertainment, not
as a way to make money.
-
Only use discretionary income, not
money for everyday expenses.
-
Set a budget and stick to it.
-
Set a time limit.
-
Talk to your partner/family about
your gambling and ensure that it is not hurting any of your
relationships.
If you can follow these measures, gambling can be enjoyable and
not become a problem within your life. Making healthy choices with
gambling now can ensure that any negative aspects of gambling will not hurt you
or your family.
[Back
to Top]
 SIGNS
OF PROBLEM GAMBLING:
Take a minute and check
off all of the signs that apply.
If you want to try another questionnaire, try our Online
Problem Gambling Questionnaire for more information.
[Back
to Top]
HOW DOES GAMBLING COMPARE TO OTHER ADDICTIONS?
|
DIFFERENCES
|
SIMILARITIES
|
- Symptoms
less apparent.
- Central
focus on money - by gambling you could get more money to continue.
- Irrational
belief i.e.: luck-ideas around chance become distorted.
- Risk
taking causes the altered state.
- "Contributing
to charity" as an excuse to gamble.
- Competition.
- A win
could create a positive change, even for family members, whereas a
drunk does not.
|
- Cycle of
addiction.
- Illusion
of control/loss of control.
- "Chasing
the win" - recreating the good life.
- Used to
avoid unpleasant thoughts and feelings.
- Rituals.
- Involves
increased tolerance.
- Involves a
mental preoccupation, results in withdrawal symptoms and exists on
continuum.
|
[Back
to Top]
 INDICATIONS
OF TEENAGE PROBLEM GAMBLING
- Gambling paraphernalia (e.g.
racing forms, lottery ticket, betting sheets, casino ships, souvenirs from
gambling places, and betting services literature);
- Increased requests for money,
borrowing from neighbors and friends;
- Unexplained debts or wealth
- Telephone calls from strangers or
secret telephoning;
- Lying, Cheating, Stealing;
- Unexplained absences from home,
school, work;
- Intensification of interest in
sports;
- Signs of Depression or anxiety,
such as change in sleep or eating patterns;
- Increased preoccupation, emotional
distance and worry;
- Increasingly high telephone bills;
- Withdrawal from social groups or
activities.
ADOLESCENT BEHAVIORAL SIGNS:
| FAMILY: |
SCHOOL: |
COMMUNITY: |
- Frequent Phone
- Calls
- Secrecy
- Missing Money ($$$)
- Family Violence
|
- Tardiness
- Truancy
- Stealing
- Scamming
|
- Criminal Activity
- Vandalism
- Gang Activity
- Theft
- Terrorist Calls
- Robbery
- Insurance Fraud
- Prostitution/Pimping
|
For more information specific to youth gambling go to the International
Centre for Youth Gambling Problems and High Risk Behaviours by McGill
University at http://www.education.mcgill.ca/gambling
[Back
to Top]
EFFECTS OF PROBLEM
GAMBLING ON THE FAMILY
 Invisibility of the
problem.- Emotional aftermath of discovery.
- Frequency and duration of financial problems.
- Impact on Family lifestyle.
- Serious financial problems.
- Separation and divorce.
- Denying the problem.
- Sense of betrayal.
- Stressful consequences.
GAMBLING EFFECTS ON CHILDREN
- Lack of emotional validation/predictability.
- Lack of environmental stability.
- Guilt, stress, fear, isolation/humiliation.
- Roles -hero/scapegoat, lost child/mascot.
- Over-under responsible.
- Overvalue money and/or materialism.
[Back
to Top]
CHARACTERISTICS
COMMON AMONG PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS' SPOUSES AND CHILDREN
Spouse or Partner of Problem Gambler:
- Co-dependant and enabler to pathological gambler.
- Passive-aggressive orientation toward social power.
- Poor self-image, low self esteem.
- Difficulty expressing anger and assigning blame to others.
- Excessively focused on the needs of husband/wife and children.
- Increasingly socially isolated.
- Inappropriately protective of husband/wife and children.
- Uses self-denial and personal sacrifice to instill guilt and obligation
in family members.
- Delays acknowledging seriousness of husbands gambling.
Children of Problem Gambler:
 Inappropriately
assume responsibility for father/mothers' pathological gambling and family
tensions.- Excessively attempt to please father/mother.
- Inappropriately attempt to protect mother from father's criticism or
other abuse or vice versa.
- Overachievement and excessive achievement anxiety.
- Chronic feeling of social embarrassment and discomfort.
- Fear of abandonment or betrayal by close associates and authority
figures.
- Denial and repression of anger until episodic rage responses release
emotion.
- Excessively loyal and protective of close associates.
- Chronically or episodically anxious and depressed.
- Unexpressed anger that becomes expressed behaviorally.
- Expectant of disappointment , failure, tragedy in life.
[Back
to Top]
Recovery
From Problem Gambling Addiction
 What
is the first thing a compulsive gambler ought to do in order to stop gambling?
A problem gambling addiction can be complicated to address in a successful
way. It our recommendation to go to an approved Problem
Gambling Counsellor to assess the nature and function of the gambling
behaviour. Seeking professional help
is essential to creating the environment and changes that will create best
results.
The problem gambler needs to be willing to accept the fact that he or she
is in the grip of a progressively negative cycle that will not get better
without some form of intervention. The change process happens in stages
and takes time as it can involve many different issues within a person's
life. A thorough and complete assessment is essential to a successful
outcome.
The question is whether this is the day that begins new growth in your life
- growth towards your own health.
[Back
to Top]
Where Can I Go for Help?
 Problem
Gambling can become a serious addiction which left untreated can become
worse. All of the South Peace Counselling Service offices can provide
gambling addiction counselling free of charge, assessment,
referral to appropriate programs, treatment, and follow-up. Our
Problem Gambler Counsellors are professionals who have completed an approved BC
government training program, which is of the highest standard. If
you would like to know more about the Counselling Services Office in your area
click on the office closest to you:
[Back
to Top]
If
you do not reside within this area, call one of the Toll Free numbers below for
further information and resources for help:
| British Columbia |
British Columbia Problem Gambling
Information and Referral Service. Confidential
and open 24hrs a day, 7 days a week. |
1-888-795-6111 |
| Alberta |
Alberta Problem Gambling Hotline.
Confidential and accessible 24hrs a day. |
1-800-665-9676 |
| Saskatchewan |
Saskatchewan Problem Gambling
Helpline. Confidential and open 24hrs a day. |
1-800-306-6789 |
| Manitoba |
Manitoba Problem Gambling
Helpline. Confidential. |
1-800-463-1554 |
| Ontario |
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline is
confidential and open 24hrs a day. Available in French or English.
For other toll free numbers across Ontario click here. |
1-888-230-3505 |
| Quebec |
Quebec - Gambling: Help and
Referral. This toll free number is
accessible within Quebec and within the 613 and 819 area codes in Ontario.
Confidential. |
1-800-461-0140 |
| New Brunswick |
New Brunswick Problem Gambling
Helpline. Confidential and available
24hrs a day. |
1-800-461-1234 |
| Nova Scotia |
Nova Scotia
Problem Gambling Helpline. Confidential
and accessible 24hrs a day. |
1-888-347-8888
1-888-347-3331
(hearing impaired) |
| Prince Edward
Island |
No helpline available, but you may
contact Prince
Edward Island Addiction Services. A
three-week treatment program is available out of the Provincial Addictions
Facility in Mount Herbert. It is also mobile and can be taken to the
eastern and western health regions as needed. Based on client assessment,
the program can be taken as an inpatient at the Provincial Addictions
Facility or as an outpatient in the regional addictions sites. |
|
| Newfoundland and
Labrador |
Newfoundland and Labrador
Helpline. Confidential and accessible
24hrs a day. |
1-888-737-4668 |
| Yukon |
Yukon 800 |
1-800-661-0408 |
Check out our online resources
for Responsible Gambling and Problem Gambling!
[Back
to Top]
How
is Our Problem Gambling Program Funded?
Funding
for the the South Peace Counselling Services Problem Gambling Program is
provided through the Ministry of
Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia. All
counselling services are free of charge to clients. Problem
Gambling Counsellors for this program are provincially trained professions to
address all gambling related problems. For more information about the BC
Government's Problem Gambling Program, visit the Ministry of Public Safety and
Solicitor General at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/pssg
©
North East Counselling Services, 2003, 2004. All rights
reserved. Disclaimer.
Funding for the Problem Gambling Program is provided through the Ministry
of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
1017 - 103rd Ave
Dawson Creek, BC
Canada V1G 2G6
Tel: 250-782-4410 Fax: 250-782-4813
e-mail:
problemgambling@necs.bc.ca
FastCounter by bCentral
|
