Gambling Treatment at BRMC
With a growing betting problem more evident from emerging casinos, horse racing and easy access through the Internet, Bradford Recovery Systems (BRS) has launched Problem Gambling Treatment Services.
The program offers individual services for problem and pathological gambling issues in which a person may be struggling. This program addresses not only the individual but also family issues and guides them in re-establishing a healthy lifestyle. Leading the program at Bradford Recovery Systems is state-certified counselor Ronald Tanner, one of only a few in the region.
"By adding this service, we are recognizing an important need already growing within our region, affecting individuals as well as their families," says Jackie Shine-Dixon, director of BRS, the Psychiatry Department and a Center of Excellence at Bradford Regional Medical Center. "We believe this will strengthen the level of support that we can provide to clients seeking recovery, rehabilitation and help nurture a healthy community."
Counseling for problem gamblers is by appointment on the fifth floor of BRMC. Individuals who are age 18 and older can enter the program through self-referrals or agency referrals, notes Mrs. Shine Dixon. The program accepts private payments. Problem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with responsibilities at work and home, and lead to financial catastrophe, counseling experts say. Sometimes people may even do things they never envisioned such as stealing to get money to gamble or pay their gambling debts.
"Between 1 and 2 percent of people have a problem with gambling or are compulsive gamblers," says Mr. Tanner, a certified gambling counselor through the Pennsylvania Certification Board. "However, the incidence of problem gamblers for a region increases to 4 percent when there is a casino within 50 miles according to official
statistics," he says.
An added temptation to gamble the past few years comes from the growing popularity of Internet betting. "With online betting, people don't even have to leave their home," the counselor says. While individual counseling is offered now for problem gamblers, group counseling will be available in the future, notes Mr. Tanner. Remember, "The person that may be helped could be your child, your spouse, your parent, your friend or yourself," Mr. Tanner says. "What can be saved through individual counseling, support group help and/or treatment are trust, respect, relationships, family dynamics, careers and being financially solvent."
People may be problem gamblers if they: neglect work or family to gamble; gamble in secret; lie about how much they gamble; feel compelled to keep increasing their bets; feel remorse after gambling; gamble until spending their last dollar; gamble with money needed to pay bills; steal, borrow or sell things to get money for gambling; dream of the big win and what it will buy; gamble to escape worries; gamble in order to solve financial problems or win back losses; and celebrate by gambling. But if a person admits to being a problem gambler, it can be the first
step toward recovery. Gambling problems are treatable with counseling, says Mr. Tanner. People also can get help through support groups, he adds.
What's critical is understanding the signs of gambling addiction and having a willingness to undergo treatment and/or join a support group, the counselor explains. "Generally, a problem gambler will increasingly lose control over their gambling. The problem progresses with time," Mr. Tanner says. "They become obsessed with gambling and also with getting money to continue gambling," the counselor says. "Sometimes they think irrationally and continue to gamble despite adverse consequences," he notes.
“Compulsive gamblers can't control the impulse to gamble, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves and their loved ones," Mr. Tanner says. Gambling is all they think about and all they want to do, no matter the consequences, he adds. Compulsive gamblers keep gambling whether they're up or down, happy or depressed. "Even when they know the odds are against them, even when they can't afford to lose, people with a gambling addiction can't stop betting," he says.
Gamblers also can have a problem, however, without being totally out of control. Long before an addiction has fully developed, gambling can have a negative impact.
"Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you're preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences, you have a gambling problem," the counselor states. There are two types of problem gamblers. While their behaviors are similar, they gamble for different reasons. Action gamblers are addicted to the thrill of taking risks. Gambling itself is their drug. "The onset of action gambling usually begins early in their life. They usually gamble with others because part of the rush is beating the house and other gamblers," Mr. Tanner says.
Action gamblers usually prefer games of skill such as card games, craps, and sports betting. They also may play the stock market. Escape gamblers bet to escape emotional pain, worries and loneliness. Rather than gambling to feel a rush, they gamble for distraction, the counselor says. Escape gamblers prefer more isolated activities such as slot machines, bingo and online poker where luck is involved. They also prefer games that don't require much thought so they can "zone out."
In the past two years, Mr. Tanner says he's seen more problem gamblers. "But they can be treated and/or get help." Sometimes problem gamblers seek help on their own. In other cases, family members or friends may actively seek counseling for gamblers they know, Mr. Tanner says.
To schedule an appointment for counseling on gambling problems or get more information, call 814-362-8502.
The program offers individual services for problem and pathological gambling issues in which a person may be struggling. This program addresses not only the individual but also family issues and guides them in re-establishing a healthy lifestyle. Leading the program at Bradford Recovery Systems is state-certified counselor Ronald Tanner, one of only a few in the region."By adding this service, we are recognizing an important need already growing within our region, affecting individuals as well as their families," says Jackie Shine-Dixon, director of BRS, the Psychiatry Department and a Center of Excellence at Bradford Regional Medical Center. "We believe this will strengthen the level of support that we can provide to clients seeking recovery, rehabilitation and help nurture a healthy community."
Counseling for problem gamblers is by appointment on the fifth floor of BRMC. Individuals who are age 18 and older can enter the program through self-referrals or agency referrals, notes Mrs. Shine Dixon. The program accepts private payments. Problem gambling can strain relationships, interfere with responsibilities at work and home, and lead to financial catastrophe, counseling experts say. Sometimes people may even do things they never envisioned such as stealing to get money to gamble or pay their gambling debts.
"Between 1 and 2 percent of people have a problem with gambling or are compulsive gamblers," says Mr. Tanner, a certified gambling counselor through the Pennsylvania Certification Board. "However, the incidence of problem gamblers for a region increases to 4 percent when there is a casino within 50 miles according to official
statistics," he says.
An added temptation to gamble the past few years comes from the growing popularity of Internet betting. "With online betting, people don't even have to leave their home," the counselor says. While individual counseling is offered now for problem gamblers, group counseling will be available in the future, notes Mr. Tanner. Remember, "The person that may be helped could be your child, your spouse, your parent, your friend or yourself," Mr. Tanner says. "What can be saved through individual counseling, support group help and/or treatment are trust, respect, relationships, family dynamics, careers and being financially solvent."
People may be problem gamblers if they: neglect work or family to gamble; gamble in secret; lie about how much they gamble; feel compelled to keep increasing their bets; feel remorse after gambling; gamble until spending their last dollar; gamble with money needed to pay bills; steal, borrow or sell things to get money for gambling; dream of the big win and what it will buy; gamble to escape worries; gamble in order to solve financial problems or win back losses; and celebrate by gambling. But if a person admits to being a problem gambler, it can be the first
step toward recovery. Gambling problems are treatable with counseling, says Mr. Tanner. People also can get help through support groups, he adds.
What's critical is understanding the signs of gambling addiction and having a willingness to undergo treatment and/or join a support group, the counselor explains. "Generally, a problem gambler will increasingly lose control over their gambling. The problem progresses with time," Mr. Tanner says. "They become obsessed with gambling and also with getting money to continue gambling," the counselor says. "Sometimes they think irrationally and continue to gamble despite adverse consequences," he notes.
“Compulsive gamblers can't control the impulse to gamble, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves and their loved ones," Mr. Tanner says. Gambling is all they think about and all they want to do, no matter the consequences, he adds. Compulsive gamblers keep gambling whether they're up or down, happy or depressed. "Even when they know the odds are against them, even when they can't afford to lose, people with a gambling addiction can't stop betting," he says.
Gamblers also can have a problem, however, without being totally out of control. Long before an addiction has fully developed, gambling can have a negative impact.
"Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you're preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences, you have a gambling problem," the counselor states. There are two types of problem gamblers. While their behaviors are similar, they gamble for different reasons. Action gamblers are addicted to the thrill of taking risks. Gambling itself is their drug. "The onset of action gambling usually begins early in their life. They usually gamble with others because part of the rush is beating the house and other gamblers," Mr. Tanner says.
Action gamblers usually prefer games of skill such as card games, craps, and sports betting. They also may play the stock market. Escape gamblers bet to escape emotional pain, worries and loneliness. Rather than gambling to feel a rush, they gamble for distraction, the counselor says. Escape gamblers prefer more isolated activities such as slot machines, bingo and online poker where luck is involved. They also prefer games that don't require much thought so they can "zone out."
In the past two years, Mr. Tanner says he's seen more problem gamblers. "But they can be treated and/or get help." Sometimes problem gamblers seek help on their own. In other cases, family members or friends may actively seek counseling for gamblers they know, Mr. Tanner says.
To schedule an appointment for counseling on gambling problems or get more information, call 814-362-8502.
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