LOOKING Beyond Problem Gambling Addictions

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LOOKING Beyond Problem GamblingAddictions

• Presented byMs. Khiang Whee Fern, MSW

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Background

• Care Corner Counselling Centre was one of the two
  piloted centres appointed and commissioned by
  National Council of Problem Gambling (NCPG) under
  Ministry of Community Development, Youth and
  Sports (MCYS) to provide therapeutic intervention
  to problem gamblers and their family members
  since September 2006.

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Background

• A total of 49 cases were seen by 5 Counsellors
  from September 2006 to May 2007.
• These Counsellors had 2 to 10 years of
  counselling experiences.
• Completed the GATE (Gambling Addictions
  Treatment Empowerment) training program in
  September 2006.
• On-going supervisions from Community Addictions
  Management Programme (CAMP).
• This report was generated with discussions held
  with these 5 counsellors.

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Total Number Attended Counselling
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(No Transcript)
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Profile of Problem Gamblers(Sample Size 43)
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Gender
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Marital Status
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Educational Levels
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Age
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Employment
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Types of Dwelling
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1st Gambling Experience
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Reasons to Gamble
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Volume of Debts
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Types of Gambling

• Table Games at Cruise
• Toto
• Jackpot
• Horse Racing
• 4D
• Soccer Betting

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Observations

• Predominantly Male Chinese activity.
• Prevalent age group 25 39 (59).
• With tertiary education (52).
• Holding full-time employment (72).
• Living in 4-Room (35) 5-Room above (49).
• Onset of 1st Gambling Experience between 12 to 20
  year old.

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Motivational Forces to Seek Help
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Reasons to Seek Help

• Marital tension, wife threatened divorce.
• Parents and children relationship tension and
  violence due to unsettled debts.
• Harassment by loan sharks.
• Refused bail out unless problem gamblers seek
  help.

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Reasons to Seek Help

• Job security affected.
• Fear of expulsion from learning institutions.
• Pressure from grown up children.
• Awareness of where to seek help.

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Challenges Faced by Counsellors

• Expectations of Problem Gamblers and Family
  Members
• Mindset
• Culture

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Counsellors Position

• Addiction is a family disease.
• Approach with a We concept.
• Allow relapse to be a part of recovery.
• About transformation of the core person.
• Apply Heart ware to Hard work.

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Outreach Programs
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Future Outreach ProgramUsing 12 steps to
form recovery groups
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Recommendations for Future Research

• The extent of change between Problem Gamblers who
  came alone and those coming with their family
  members and/or significant others to seek help.
• Intervention for women who are caught in the
  co-dependency trap especially in the Asian
  culture.

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Thank You