Barry Evans, Peter Hausamann
Aboriginal Health
Psychiatry
The Heart of Parenting (Book review)
Gambling Addiction
Children Disclosing Sexual Abuse
Adult Sequelae of Child Sexual Abuse
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Last Modified 1/12/98
What this means for the individual GP is that for a patient presenting with this symptomatology it may be worthwhile exploring, however tentatively, a possible connection with financial pressures and perhaps behind this, a history of excessive gambling. Though it may be difficult for the patient to disclose this kind of information, it is a far more common scenario than is generally recognised.
Brochures describing the services provided, and referral appointments, can be made by phoning (02) 6687 2520 or faxing (02) 6687 2518.
Barry EvansGambling Problems
Gambling as a form of recreation, whether on the horses, on the pokies at clubs or hotels, or at the casino, is very much a part of Australian life. Though only a small proportion of gamblers go on to develop problems, gambling for some can have a major impact on their life.
Incidence
Estimates by Prof Mark Dickerson of the Australian Institute of Gambling Research indicate between one and three per cent of the population have a gambling problem. This is a considerable number, especially as one excessive gambler may affect the lives of several others, such as family, friends and employers. Consequences range from relationship or family breakdown and bankruptcy to criminal activity, potential imprisonment and the possibility of self-harm.
Diagnosing the problem
Diagnostic Instruments
Diagnostic instruments used to identify problem and pathological gamblers include the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS, 1978) and the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III-R, 1987 and DSM-IV, 1994). DSM-IV characterises it as a disorder of impulse control, the essential features of which are a chronic and progressive failure to resist impulses to gamble and gambling behaviour that compromises or disrupts the gambler's life. Accompanying this are features such as mood disorders, stress related medical conditions and personality disorders.
Warning signs
Thus many problem gamblers list stress, anxiety and depression as major symptoms of their gambling behaviour. They associate these symptoms with feelings of despair, dread and worthlessness. Similarly, partners of problem gamblers may present themselves to their GP as suffering from stress and anxiety, which is often related to some kind of financial crisis. They may be heavily in debt, or have no money to live by. If so, this could be a consequence of money lost through their partner's problem gambling. They may express deep resentment, mistrust, and/or concern about their partner's behaviour.
Just bad luck
The gambler, in such situations, may simply see themselves as being unlucky, whilst the partner and family members may see themselves as deprived or neglected. Depression and associated symptoms are most likely to be related to the problem gambler's history of losses, lies, secrets, and broken promises.
Available services
Fortunately, a number of specialist services are available in NSW to which problem gamblers and their families may be referred for counselling and support. The Northern Rivers Gambling Service provides a service from Grafton to Tweed Heads. Situated at Binna Burra, near Bangalow, it is a free service funded by the NSW Casino Community Benefit Fund. It is staffed by qualified addiction and financial counsellors and is a best practice model as indicated by recent research. It provides a comprehensive service with individual counselling, specialist financial counselling for gamblers and their partners and relationship counselling for gamblers and families.
Director, The Buttery
Peter Hausamann
Addictions counsellor, The Buttery
A GP gambling information kit is available from Kris Veenstra at the AMA, ph. (02) 9439 8822.
Discussion
Campral and naltrexone
Gambling Impact Society (NSW)
Campral and gambling
Gambling Addiction
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Campral and naltrexone jane, jmcurran@bellatlantic.net Posted 12/3/2001 10:28 PM I've read that using celexa with naltrexone seems to be more effective for some people. Could you comment on this? |
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Gambling Impact Society (NSW) NSW, paradwys@bigpond.com.au Posted 12/10/2000 5:03 PM Just thought i'd let you know that there is a new organisation formed to represent the needs of people affected by problem gambling and provide community education to all those interested and a forum for discussion. Our first issue of a quarterly newsletter is available now & is being sent complimentary to all CCBF funded services hopefully for them to disseminate info.This is a non for profit voluntary organisation contactable c/o Shoalahaven Neighbourhood Centre, 134 Kinghorne St. Nowra 2541. memebrship Individual $10 Organisations $25, self-help group $5. Sharyn, hunter4@hotkey.net.au Posted 5/5/2001 8:12 AM Hi I am doing a welfare/community services course at TAFE, for my assessment i need some info on gambling, the needs of problem gamblers etc. |
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Campral and gambling denisia, denisia@in4free.com.au Posted 19/8/2000 9:19 PM I have a client using campral for her gambling addiction and it seems to be helping her. I am interested to know if anyone has a naltrexone result on gambling yet?? |
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Gambling Addiction Paige Johnston, paige_fiji69 Posted 29/4/99 10:50 AM I thought this web site was very informative and worth having a look at. I am actually doing an independent study for Australian Studies at Loreto College and any information that you could supply me with would be most appreciated (If possible before the 2nd of May, 1999). Thankyou , NONE Posted 24/10/99 12:57 PM I love your topic on gambling addiction, I found it to be very useful on my research paper. Thank you job well done. A. Roeling, A.K.Roeling@students.bio.uu.nl Posted 21/3/00 10:21 PM I was wondering what are the physiological consequences of gambling addiction? Are there some areas in the brain over/ under-activated, some special neurotransmitters involved? Are there physical effects from rehabilitation, or just psychological ones? betty webb, kc_moan@webtv.net Posted 23/3/00 7:17 AM please send me any mail/info that i can read that can help me please. betty webb 2424 south main st, new castle, IN 47362 Brandon White, Torntokidd@aol.com Posted 30/3/00 5:07 AM I am doing a research project on gambling and I was wondering if anyone has any information on gambling among college students. If you have any information on the subject please e-mail me. helen jackman, hjackman@lagunacom.com.au Posted 24/4/00 5:18 PM Am doing a research paper on internet addiction and would welcome any stats you have on online gambling addiction in Australia.Particularly those people who only use this form of gambling. James Atkinson, jrkratkinson@hotmail.com Posted 16/5/00 9:36 AM Your site has been most helpfull in supplying information for my Legal Assignment. Thanx. tonia, tonia@dynamite.com.au Posted 12/7/2000 10:27 AM I find it very frustrating that there seems to be a lot of information on how gamblers can get help but not much for the family left behind to pick up the pieces.Could you please send me any info you have on strategies on how to cope. Pat Farrell, Farrelp@iopener.net Posted 6/8/2000 10:00 PM Please e-mail any information C. Gray, colgray@pacific.net Posted 13/8/2000 6:48 PM The incidence of gambling has become an epidemic of this society today - affecting everyone from all ages but mostly the middle age and pensioners (or whose or are least able to afford it). I would like to see any Government be courageous enough to admit they made a mistake by allowing this to happen and to do something about it. The Government in this instance is really to blame in this instance! Dragonpower, dragonpower80@hotmail.com Posted 6/11/2000 11:57 AM hello, I am doing a project on Gambling addiction and I was wondering if anyone can send me some info. on what it actually is and any other good stuff to earn me an A! thanx debbie, debbra@heise.co.uk Posted 26/1/2001 8:23 AM I would like to hear from counsellors of gambling addiction,as I am reasearching this area for a presentation due in April. Pat, debpat@optusnet.com.au Posted 27/5/2001 3:57 PM I have a son (28)who has been addicted to gambling for the past 5 years - he has made a mess of his life and still won't take advantage of any of the contacts given to him to help. I am sick of being there for him (no money though) but can't bear the thought of him having no food and being out on the street. When does it all end?? |
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