| Bonnie J. Benzies, Ph.D Director of Community Psychology Facility MISA Coordinator Rehab. Bldg. Ext. 3354, Chicago's Western Suburbs WHY COUNSELING? January 2004 Asserts that, in addition to GA, counseling can play a major role in recovery. Lists examples of wounds from the past that may need addressing, as well as current gambling-related issues. Addresses some differences the author perceives between counseling and GA attendance. States that ideally the gambler seeking recovery would be able to attend both counseling and GA. |
. . . the need to take care of myself . . . As a Licensed Independent Substance Abuse Counselor in Private Practice, I am grateful to say I also celebrate 27 years of recovery in Al-Anon and 20 years of recovery in the Gam-Anon program.
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ISSUES IGNORED = PROBLEMS MULTIPLIED January 2003 States some issues which often lead women into gambling compulsively, before they realize what is happening. Encourages women to seek recovery by dealing with the issues that originally precipitated gambling, therefore gaining a renewed life. Points out recovery is difficult and sometimes painful, but the encouragement and strength to do the necessary work come through recovery also. ARE DEPRESSION AND PROBLEM GAMBLING RELATED? February 2003 Discusses differences between passing sadness and clinical depression. Provides a pneumonic to help remember questions that can help identify the problem, if a state of depression exists. Illustrates that depression is both a cause and an effect of problem gambling. States that a woman need not fear professional treatment and that ‘psychotherapy, in combination with medication, [is] the most effective treatment for ... clinical depression.’ EMPOWERMENT July 2004 Recently in my work with women problem gamblers, I have noticed myself questioning whether or not the Serenity prayer means something different to women from what it may mean to men. This may sound like a statement that makes no sense, but it seems that lately it occupies my thoughts. If someone you love gambles too much, or if you do yourself, and you're dealing with this issues in your family, your children are too. Many people believe children don't know when there is a problem like this. They do!! They may not understand the problem, but they know there is one.
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| Maureen D., HelpLine Specialist THE VOICE ON THE HOTLINE: November 2002 Author briefly recounts her experience as a drug and alcohol abuse counselor and her reasons for changing her employment to a gambling hotline. Shares that she gets much satisfaction from helping gamblers and their families. Asserts that not enough government help exists for compulsive gambling problems and that gambling needs equal concern and resources to those directed at drug problems. |
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Diane Davis, PhD., Washington BRAIN DRAIN: July 2000 Overviews some results of the Nat’l Research Council’s 1999 ‘Pathological Gambling: A Critical Review’ and provides website where the report can be read. States that research ‘indicates that gambling and drug abuse may share the same addictive process and have similar effects in the brain.’ Discusses ‘privileged’ memories and states they last a lifetime. |
LATE-ONSET FEMALE GAMBLERS: October 2002 Discusses issues and problems many late-onset women gamblers have in common. States that many are attracted to gambling, sometimes encouraged by loved ones unaware of potential dangers, to fill the void left by a recent loss. Concludes that Gamblers Anonymous is enough for some women, but some need treatment or private therapy to discover why they gambled and enter recovery. IS KNOWING WHY WE GAMBLED IMPORTANT? April 2003 Discusses varying answers to the title question, which appears in the GA Combo Book. Compares the states of abstinence from gambling and recovery from gambling, and asserts working the recovery steps can help a woman discover why she gambled and gain spiritual healing through recovery. Author states her belief that the answer to the title questions is ‘YES.’ |
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Joanna Franklin, MS NCGC II Trimeridian Inc. EMPOWERED RECOVERY: (4 parts) January 2002 Part 1, January 2002, describes differences between action and escape gamblers and different treatment focus for each. Part 2 discusses limitations placed on women by societal stereotyping. THE POWER OF PINK: (Part II) February 2002 Part 2 discusses limitations placed on women by societal stereotyping. UNDERSTANDING THE POWER IN EMPOWERMENT: (Part III) March 2002 Part 3 examines limitations in choice and positive action that conditioning may cause women to place on themselves. Part 4 chronicles transition from victimization to empowerment possible through recovery. EMPOWERMENT AND RECOVERY...IT WORKS: April 2002 Part 4 chronicles transition from victimization to empowerment possible through recovery. SPIRITUALITY: DEFINITION?-NOT REQUIRED! September 2002 Points out secularization of the GA adaptation of AA’s 12 recovery steps. States religion is not a prerequisite for spirituality. Suggests that when all else seems well in a recovering gambler’s life, but something still seems to be missing, the missing element may be spirituality. Characterizes GA’s Steps 2 and 3 as making a ‘central connection,’ and ‘the rest all comes as we are ready for it.’ JUST ONE THING! May 2003 Addresses the question, "What do I do when I don’t feel like doing anything?" States this is a common feeling and urges not giving in to it. Suggests taking ‘small bites’ to prevent inertia from taking over. "Do just one thing.’ A PRACTICAL PROBLEM-SOLVING PARTNERSHIP: February 2004 Addresses the striking difference in the support level female gamblers get from their male loved ones, versus the support male gamblers get from their female loved ones. Examines some basic differences in how men and women seem to ‘operate.’ States ‘gambling is a family problem, and the family needs access to care.’ Encourages female gambler to continue exploring every help resource available, and states non-gamblers need support too. DEFINING RECOVERY Part I June 2005 One size doesn't fit all, when it comes to treatment -- especially when it comes to the differences between men and women. DEFINING RECOVERY Part Ii August 2005 When I was introduced to a different kind of client, I found something new I could try that turned out to be very helpful. I just listened to what she was saying to me. Many of these women clients were abuse survivors and very uncomfortable around males, because they were reminded of the abuse. INTERNET GAMBLING AND WOMEN April 2006 We don’t have much science on Internet gambling. Very few studies are done on women and gambling, and fewer yet on women Internet gamblers. We do know from a study done by Roberta Boughton of CAMH, Toronto, that, of over 350 women pathological gamblers, those who gambled on the Internet averaged 14 times a month.
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Mary Gilmore, RN, CCGC DON'T SHAME YOURSELF OUT OF RECOVERY: September 1999 States treatment works for recovery from compulsive gambling, but a main reason women avoid treatment is shame, ‘toxic’ shame and otherwise. Shame can also trigger relapses. Recommends using the intellect, versus feelings, in order to get help; feelings will come along later. Urges the gambler to get help, rather than continuing in the vicious cycle of shame, gambling, shame .... |
GETTING THE HELP YOU NEED May 2004 Individuals talk themselves out of getting the help they need—your addiction in action. You need to know that your disease will do anything to keep you in its grip. Denial blinds individuals to the reality of gambling’s effect on their lives. Irrational thinking enables a person to rationalize and justify all the chaos around. THE POWER OF THE ADDICTION June 2004 Some individuals who make a decision to go to Gamblers Anonymous are under the impression that the program is going to be the ‘magic bullet.’ They may say, "Now that I have made this huge step, all my problems will be solved." They may think they will get the exact information needed to solve their financial problems.
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YES! WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER:: January 2000 Recounts some consequences of compulsive gambling, and commends the results of peer interaction to help gamblers recover. Suggests reasons for fear and reluctance, which assails many gamblers considering attending GA meetings. Encourages women to reach out to each other, educate themselves about the addiction and utilize community resources. UNDERSTAND YOURSELF: November 2000 Recommends journaling to get in touch with your feelings and gain understanding of yourself. States true intimacy is first to know yourself, and that journaling helps a gambler confront her addiction. Identifies the gambler as the most important component of her recovery and advises her to take herself seriously. THE PIECES OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLING October 2005 It is interesting when talking about the addiction of compulsive gambling, how some gamblers and their families and friends downplay or minimize the seriousness of the disorder and rationalize and minimize the seriousness of the effects on them. EXAMINING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CHANGE July 2007 “It is often painful life events that cause people to enter into self-examination.” Let us take a look at this opportunity to assess a chance for change, a beginning of a Spiritual journey. A spiritual component in your life can help you to find meaning, peace, and joy. "AND THEN THERE WAS THE INTERNET" August 2007 A recovering gambling addict, who asked not to be identified said, “There was no boundary between me and what was going on inside the computer screen. I was ill with a compulsion, even though I was loosing between five and fifteen thousand dollars a month. POINTS TO PONDER October 2008 On March 5th, 2007, the Office of Problem Gambling hosted Arizona’s first Symposium in honor of National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, which was proclaimed by Governor Janet Napolitano. The presentations were interesting and thought provoking by some of the nations foremost on the topic of youth and gambling and offered attendees much food for thought. how triggers lead to relapse November 2008 Internal triggers can be anything, like a thought or feeling, that resides primarily inside, that is associated with addictive behaviors. Here is an example, let’s say you are feeling a bit depressed today. It may be an association that when you feel depressed, you drive over to the casino to gamble, thinking this will lift your mood. TIME FOR REFLECTION AND GRATITUDE January 2009 A New Lifestyle: In very early recovery whether it be from gambling, alcohol, or drugs we may be more vulnerable to holidays that often bring forth memories, pleasant and otherwise. We have just celebrated one traditional holiday in November and December brings forward other memories and traditions.
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Lori Rugle, Ph.D. REAPING WHAT I SOW: July 2003 Dr. Rugle briefly relates the children’s story, "Henny Penny," and says she recently realized the story is a metaphor for how she lived much of her life. Shares her understanding that she had cast herself as victim and martyr, an isolating and separating way of life. Compares life to planting and cultivating seeds, and points out that we can choose what kind of seeds to nurture. CONSCIOUS CONTACT: BRAIN, MIND AND ADDICTION: September 2003 Part 1 - presents an overview of results of studies focusing on the neurobiology of addiction, and states that studies increasingly demonstrate differences between the major brain systems in individuals who develop addictive disorders and those who do not. CONSCIOUS CONTACT: BRAIN, MIND AND ADDICTION: October 2003 Part 2 - discusses the role the mind plays in making healthy choices when someone battles addiction. RECOGNIZING A MIRACLE: December 2003 Asserts that miracles come in all shapes and sizes, but people often fail to recognize them. Hoping for or expecting spectacular miracles generates sadness, disappointment and intimidation. Acknowledges that life presents us with sadness and pain, but recommends being open to the miraculous through the most difficult times. States she needs to ask herself how she can be open to even the ‘smallest’ of miracles. LOVING KINDNESS, SERENITY AND THE 12 STEPS Part I October 2006 Loving Kindness meditation is a practice to develop one’s capacity to generate compassion towards oneself and all others. The basic practice involves focusing on my aspiration for happiness, freedom from suffering and equanimity or balance for all beings. LOVING KINDNESS, SERENITY AND THE 12 STEPS Part II December 2006 As I continue to focus on the root of happiness and suffering for myself and others, I begin to see more clearly that there is something beyond my limited ego that I can begin to tap into. I can acknowledge that I am not a separate ego – that my happiness and suffering are not unique or disconnected from those of all beings.
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Renee Siegel,
MS, LISAC, NCGG-II
Executive Director of ABC Wellness Centres in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Prescott, Arizona. ABC offers out-patient, intensive out-patient and residential help to those impacted by problem gambling. For more information about ABC Wellness Centres, call 480-991-9818 or visit: http://www.abcwellnesscentre.org STORY OF A GAMBLER'S SPOUSE January 2003 Staying in recovery isn't always easy, even if I stay around 12-step programs and therapy. I think the need to be focused on myself to be in recovery makes it harder; my children, clients and friends seem to need me so much. I'm sure confusion over this conflict contributed to my difficulty in seeing what was really happening to me.
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BOUNDRIES: August 2000 States that boundaries help us know where we end and others begin, and that healthy boundaries provide a sense of empowerment. Asserts that boundary development impacts relationships, spirituality, physical, sexual and emotion being. Suggest methods of establishing healthy boundaries through honesty and responsibility. |
Lynne Stilley
January 2007
ESCAPE Vs ACTION GAMBLERS--A NON-ISSUE
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THOUGHTFUL CHOICES: February 2000 States that gambling compulsively robs gambler of the ability to make choices. Declares that surrender to powerlessness over gambling empowers gambler to make healthy choices. Suggests that choices fall roughly into 3 categories: (1) supportive of recovery; (2) neutral to recovery or (3) detrimental to recovery. Recommends and provides guidance for keeping a Thought Record as an excellent way to increase awareness of choices and add flexibility to thinking. FEAR: March 2000 Fears are either healthy or irrational; it’s important to distinguish between the two types. Unhealthy fear prevents individual from confronting and solving problems. Ignoring healthy-realistic-fear allows gambler to continue gambling. Based upon sound psychological principles, the GA 12-step recovery program teaches gambler to face problems one at a time. A HEALTHY SELF-IMAGE: April 2000 States gambler’s self-image suffers from gambling compulsively. Recommends GA’s ‘Daily Inventory of My Behavior’ for noting both positive and negative aspects of feelings and behaviors. Presents affirmations as helpful technique for building positive self-image. States that setting manageable, responsible goals and reaching them greatly enhances positive self-image. ANGER: May 2000 Anger can be appropriate or inappropriate, and inappropriate anger is a self-destructive emotion. Gamblers in recovery must develop and practice good anger management skills to maintain abstinence from gambling. Keep an Anger Log. Gamblers have choices about what to do with anger. Learning to manage anger empowers the woman in recovery. KEEPING A JOURNAL: June 2000 States a journal helps a recovering gambler identify her thoughts and emotions and the actions taken in dealing with situations. Suggests 2 techniques for keeping a journal. Stre sses that journal is part of individual’s recovery process and importance of safeguarding journal. States journaling can help gambler let go of troubles and track recovery progress. July 2001States a well-trained treatment professional can make significant contributions to gambler’s growth and recovery. From counseling, the gambler learns effective recovery strategies, including combating urges and maintain abstinence. Counseling results in stronger feelings of self-esteem and self-worth and a balanced life for the gambler. |