Category: Articles

 Problem Gambling

 A person has a gambling problem when he/she loses control over their gambling, spending more and more time and money.  It is a problem when it:

• Hurts financially
• Causes problems with family or friends
• Gets in the way of work, school or other activities
• Harms mental or physical health

 Problem Gambling Facts

95% of the population have been involved in gambling are healthy when it comes to gambling however,

5% of the population are problem gamblers, and

1% of the 5% are compulsive/pathological gamblers.

Many people gamble without any problem. The vast majority of people gamble without doing any harm to themselves or others. According to the CAMH ( Centre for Addiction and Mental Health ) 1995 study, 84% of Ontario adults gamble at least once within a year, and 1/3 of the population (33%) has participated in at least 3 different forms of gambling in 1994 (Ferrir 1996).

Nevertheless, there is a sector of the population that will develop a “gambling problem” and problem gambling has a great deal in common with other addictions. Among gamblers, up to 50% have substance abuse problems. Nine to eighteen per cent of substance abusers will develop gambling problems. Substance abuse is higher among younger gamblers.

Jason Azmier, senior policy analyst with the Canada West Foundation states that is very difficult to know who is directly affected by gambling, because “it’s very much a hidden illness”.

Symptoms & Signs

The following are some signs that a person may have a gambling problem:

•  Gambling for longer periods of time-spending long or increasing amounts of time at gambling venues

•  Preoccupation with gambling-constantly thinking about and preparing for gambling

•  “Chasing losses”-gambling more often and playing higher stakes to “win back” lost money

•  Frequent, unexplained absences-from home or work and undue secrecy

•  Gambling to escape from obligations or life’s daily pressures

•  Growing debt from gambling

•  Lying

•  Criminal activity to finance gambling

•  Neglecting family/personal needs-e.g., nutrition, sleep, schooling or general well-being

•  Intimacy issues / emotional & physical distance

•  Children exhibit guilt and shame (overvalue money materialism)

•  Child takes role of pseudo-parent (loyalty to parents vs. blowing the whistle)

•  Problems with substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)

Assessment Tools:

CAMH gambling screen

South Oaks gambling screen * © 1986 South Oaks Foundation, Inc.

DSM – IV Criteria *

Gambler’s Anonymous’ 20 questions *

Niagara Multilingual Prevention/Education Problem Gambling Program

A Problem Gambling Project for Special Populations: Ethno-Cultural Communities, Addiction Services, Niagara Health System.

Background:

Established in 2000, the Niagara Multilingual Prevention/Education Problem Gambling Program was created to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate problem gambling services to the various ethno-cultural communities in Niagara. Particular attention has been placed on confidentiality.

The Program supports the needs of the ethno-cultural communities and provides a link with other related issues such as substance abuse or concurrent disorders, and has established a working network partnership amongst all Niagara Region multicultural communities, other services providers and Niagara Health System’s Addiction Services.

The Problem Gambling Multilingual Advisory Committee composed of members of the community with different cultural backgrounds provides support to this Program. This program is funded by the Ministry of Health Promoton, Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Branch.

Services:

www.gamb-ling.com

A multi-lingual website in 12 different languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Urdu, which contains linguistically and culturally appropriate information, a confidential e-mail question/ answer forum, and links to other related sites.

Problem Gambling Training for:

• Settlement workers

• Cultural Interpreters

• Social Service providers

• Financial/Legal sectors

• other services

Gambling and Problem Gambling Information/ Awareness Sessions for:

• ethno-cultural communities

• social service providers

• financial/legal sector

• community groups

• ESL students and other services

Provision of multilingual Problem Gambling Educational Resources:

• Brochures

• Posters

• Manuals

• Handbooks, etc.

Problem Gambling Display Information Tables at various Community Events

Counselling

All requests for problem gambling counselling are referred to Community Addiction Services of Niagara, CASN  (905-684-1859),  the designated problem gambling treatment centre for the Niagara Region.

Local Resources

• Niagara Multilingual Prevention/Education Problem Gambling Program, Addiction Services, Niagara Health System: 905-378-4647 x63849

• Web site: www.gamb-ling.com

• Norma Medulun, Regional Director, Addiction Services: 905-378-4647 x63121
• Myra Quinonez-Alfonso, Program Coordinator, Niagara Multilingual Problem Gambling Program: 905-378-4647 x63849
•  

• Community Addiction Services of Niagara, Problem  Gambling Program: 905-684-1859

• Gamblers’ Anonymous Niagara: 905-351-1616

• Credit Counseling of Regional Niagara: 905-684-9401

Provincial Resources

• Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline (24-hour referral): 1-888-230-3505

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) toll-free gambling counselling: 1-888-647-4414

• 24-hour credit counselling: 1-800-267-2272

• Web sites

Why Do We Gamble?

We gamble for excitement and enjoyment. Some people gamble hoping they will win money so they can taste and touch the “big win” – something that results in the financial means to make their dreams come true. Some people gamble for the entertainment, such as a night out with friends at the casino or a bingo game in support of a charitable organization. Perhaps it’s purchasing an occasional lottery ticket. As well, there are people who gamble because they simply love the challenge, the environment and the thrill of the “game”.

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), adults in Ontario who do not have a gambling problem gamble for the following reasons:

To win money

To socialize

For enjoyment

To pass the time

Symptoms & Signs

The following are some signs that a person may have a gambling problem:

•  Gambling for longer periods of time-spending long or increasing amounts of time at gambling venues

•  Preoccupation with gambling-constantly thinking about and preparing for gambling

•  “Chasing losses”-gambling more often and playing higher stakes to “win back” lost money

•  Frequent, unexplained absences-from home or work and undue secrecy

•  Gambling to escape from obligations or life’s daily pressures

•  Growing debt from gambling

•  Lying

•  Criminal activity to finance gambling

•  Neglecting family/personal needs-e.g., nutrition, sleep, schooling or general well-being

•  Intimacy issues / emotional & physical distance

•  Children exhibit guilt and shame (overvalue money materialism)

•  Child takes role of pseudo-parent (loyalty to parents vs. blowing the whistle)

•  Problems with substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)

GET HELP (www.opgh.on.ca/contactus.html)

The odds of beating a gambling problem are better than the odds of winning the lottery!

In some cases, gambling responsibly can break patterns of problem gambling. If you can’t cope on your own, friends, family and professional counseling can help.

If you, or someone you care about needs assistance and you don’t know where to turn, there are agencies and organizations that can help you, in your language.