AN INFORMATION RESOURCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING FALL2009•VOL.12,ISSUE2

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de 2 NPGAW Committee Help Needed

9 Counselor’s Corner

Executive Director’s Letter:Hope for Help for Those Hurt by Problem Gambling

President’s Column

15 Calendar of Events4Pioneer

Tribute: Dr. Julian Taber

3Affiliate Profile: Louisiana Assn. on Problem Gambling

(ED Letter, continued on page 2)

Things are always busy and seldom dull in the daily operations of the NCPG. We have recently welcomed a new Program Director, Megan Larsen, Keith is trying to raise $71 million for problem gambling treatment but can’t seem to get enough help, and deter-mining a site for a planning committee meeting created a flood of emails that may have set a modern record for a single subject.

The Native American Affairs Committee of the NCPG was estab-lished and met as a committee, for the first time, at the Four Direc-tions Conference in Auburn, Washington on October 1–3. This open meeting attracted 16 people who concluded that a combination of traditional counseling and tribal medicine would be most effective. The committee members agreed that the concept and mission of culturally competent treatment in Indian Country for problem gam-bling was both necessary and welcome.

Speaking of the Four Directions Conference, I was pleased to have attended this historic event, presented by the Muckleshoot and Suquamish Tribes in partnership with the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. To my knowledge, this was the first conference held anywhere, hosted and sponsored by many tribal governments for

the benefit of all Native Americans. Workshops included titles such as “Tribal Problem Gambling Prevention,” “18 With Money to Burn” and “Wellness Disrupted: Gambling, Alcohol and Drug Addiction in Native Communities.”

In other news, Rose Gruber recently resigned her long commitment as chair of the Helpline Committee. Thank you, Rose; your service has been much appreciated. Thanks, also, to Joy Mitchell who has accepted the chair position of the Membership Committee. The NCPG received a letter of resignation from its President which he later rescinded because it was not clear to some, if retirement by an affiliate member should automatically cause loss of board member-ship and/or office. The matter was determined at a Special Board Meeting on October 5, 2009 when the Board voted not to allow the current President to continue service after December 1, coinciding with his final date as an affiliate board member. While I only served in office for a short time, I enjoyed the privilege and strongly regret that it could not have been longer. There is much work still to be done and while my heart will always be with the affiliate members, I look forward to a new beginning as an individual member.

Bruce Roberts, President

Advocacy is one of the most important NCPG programs, as we are the only advocates for pro-grams and services to assistproblem gamblers and their families. Our efforts to educate Congress andthe Federal health agencies

focus on the prevention, education, treat-ment, enforcement and research on gamblingand problem gambling. We call on all NCPGmembers and supporters to utilize the mate-

rials at www.ncpgambling.org/advocacy to increase awareness of and provide solutions for gambling problems.

This year, our advocacy efforts have focused on the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act, but we have also been active on educat-ing Congress about problem gambling and responsible gaming issues related to the various bills to legalize and regulate internet gambling.

As you may know, H.R. 2906, the Compre-hensive Problem Gambling Act of 2009, was

introduced in the House of Representatives on June 17 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Health Subcom-mittee. In addition to original sponsors Representative Moran (VA), Terry (NE) and Wolf (VA), we have 12 co-sponsors: Repre-sentatives Berkley (NV), Berman (CA), Castle (DE), Cohen (TN), Courtney (CT), DeGette (CO), Frank (MA), Hare (IL), McDermott (WA), Platts (PA), Rogers (MI) and Sarbanes (MD). If you don’t see your Representative, or all the Representatives

2 National Council on Problem Gambling

National NewsNATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

The National News is published by the National Council on Problem Gambling.

National Council on Problem Gambling730 11th Street, NW, Suite 601

Washington, DC 20001202-547-9204

Fax 202-547-9206 ncpg@ncpgambling.org www.ncpgambling.org

Executive Director: Keith Whyte

Director of Adminnistration: Linda Abonyo

Program Manager: Megan Larsen

Administrative Assistant: Melissa Martin

(ED Letter, continued from page 1)

from your state in this list, we urge you to go to the Advocacy page, utilize the 20+ tools, tips and templates to contact them and request they sign onto the bill. In addition to seeking House co-sponsors, we also ask you to contact your Senators to request they introduce a companion bill to H.R. 2906. The American Psychological Association (APA), NAADAC, the Association for Ad-diction Professionals, American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), American School Counselor Association (ASCA) and more than 80 other local, community, state and national addiction, counseling, health, substance abuse and mental health organiza-tions have signed onto a letter of support for the bill. Additional groups are welcome to join at any time, so please continue to reach out to these groups in your area.

On September 17, we held a press conferenceand briefing in the House on H.R. 2906, withRepresentatives Jim Moran, Patrick Kennedy and Frank Wolf, along with speakers Tim Christensen, Dr. Chuck Maurer, Mike R. and Donna Z. Their statements and Power-Point slides are posted on the Advocacy page.

Remember, we need to keep up our educa-tion and awareness outreach until we reach and recruit every Member of Congress!

Note from the EditorWe would like to welcome any article that you may find interesting to place in our newsletter! To submit an article, send it to melissam@ncpgambling.org.

We would like to say “Thank You” to all the Members listed below who have graciously taken the time out of their busy and hectic schedules to write an article for this news letter. If we have, by chance, forgotten to mention your name, we sincerely apologize in advance!

Jeff BeckCatherine Bukovitz

Michael BurkeLynne Dause

Tonya FarrugelloDennis Fox

Colin HodgenElisabeth Houston

Doug LaBelleReece Middleton

Rob MorganArnie WexlerShiela Wexler

National Problem Gambling Awareness Week:Please Join Our Committee

National Problem Gambling Aware-ness Week is March 7–13, 2010. This is a grassrootseffort to raise aware-ness of problemgambling within thepublic, government,workplace and mental health professionals. In this time when federal legislation has been introduced in Washington it is imperative that NPGAW act to consolidate and mobi-lize our efforts.

It is my honor and privilege to serve as Chair person of the NPGAW Committee for the third consecutive year. I want to invite interested parties to join the committee and have a say in what we do. The year 2009 was a very successful one, highlighted by a re-modeled website, an active presence on You-Tube ( 31 videos viewed a total of 4,896 times) and participation by 27 states featur-ing symposiums , press releases, Governor Proclamations and the like. Many individuals and private organizations actively partici-pated in NPGAW activities as well. The Committee needs some creative men and women to lend their talents to this year’s campaign. There are many tasks that need to be done, such as:

• editexistingfactsheets• createnewfactsheets• comeupwiththemesfortheweek• identifypopulationsorindustriestofocus

our effort on• helpmodifythewebsite• seekoutfinancialcontributions,and• ingeneralcomeupwithgoodideasthat

will enhance our message.

NPGAW has an allure for a variety of con-stituents. State Councils can direct a focus and priority to public awareness. Counselors who work with problem gamblers can do outreach, talking to the community, moving from a micro approach to an macro ap-proach. Problem gamblers and their loved ones can share their stories to raise awareness

of the dire conse-quences of com-pulsive gambling. Interested individ-uals and organi-zations can use the week to pro-mote gambling awareness.

If you have an interest in serving on our committee, please contact Jeff Beck directly at 609-588-5515, ext. 10 or send an email to Yitz24@aol.com. This is one instance where the larger the committee the more ideas we can come up with and the more successful we can be.

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 3

Featured ProgramsAffiliate ProfileAffiliate Profile

Year founded: 1996

Mission or vision statement: The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling is a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for and/or providing cost effective, quality assistance for all individuals in the State of Louisiana who may be affected by gambling problems. The Organization further promotes the development of more educational programs and professional resources for problem gambling assistance.

Number of current staff: 46 full and part time

Number of current volunteers: varies

Budget: above $500,000

Website address: www.helpforgambling.org www.centerofrecovery.org (coming soon)

What are some of your major programs? CORE–Center of Recov-ery; IOP; Helplines (20 States-Problem Gambling), also Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention for Louisiana.

What has been your most successful/popular program? CORE and Helpline.

Why? Been in effect longer and directly helped more people.

What is the program you would most like to develop in the future? Extended Living Facility for Problem Gamblers post primary treatment.

Louisiana Association on Compulsive GamblingWhat has been the greatest obstacle to helping problem gamblers in your state? Although we have been blessed and are certainly more advan-taged than many other States, we still would cite nadequate Funding as our major obstacle.

What are some of your projects that you would like to share with other Affiliates? Residential Treatment Program, Extended Living Program if someone else has one.

What does your Council get out of your mem-bership in NCPG? Global approach to Problem Gambling Issues; strong support of Legislative initiatives at the Federal Level and perhaps, some-time even financial assistance from the Feds; net-working—both personal and professional; program sharing and development; National initiatives such

as NPGAW; educational opportunities, etc.

In order to facilitate your Affiliate being featured in the NCPG National News, please submit a completed article, press release or annual report that includes the information below. Alternatively, use this questionnaire as a template to submit the basic program information, NCPG staff will call to followup and develop the article. Please include any additional information or materials, including logos, graphics, photos and collateral materials.

Reece Middleton, Executive Director

Chestnut Health Systems’ display for Responsible Gaming Education Week. Alton Belle Casino’s General Manger and Dennis Fox, MS, LCPC, in front of Chestnut’s display. This is the first time in Illinois that a casino has asked a provider to take part in this event.

NCPG Welcomes New Program ManagerMegan Larsen joined the National Council on Problem Gambling in September 2009.

She began her involvement in charitable causes at an early age, volunteering at nursing homes and fund raising events. She began working in the non-profit industry in 2006 as an intern at Opera-tion Kids, which grew into a career as an Event

Coordinator and Project Manager.

Transitioning from helping children to those struggling with gam-bling problems has been an exciting one, as her passion for people remains the same. Her desire to help youth still lies at the surface, and Megan spends much of her free time among youth that are faced with less than desirable circumstances.

As the program manager at NCPG, Megan oversees major programs such as the Helpline Network (800-522-4700), National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, the National Annual Conference, and the Holiday Campaign. She also administers the National Certified Gambling Counselor (NCGC) program.

4 National Council on Problem Gambling

Pioneer TributePioneer Tribute

Dr. Julian Ingersoll TaberDr. Julian Inger-soll Taber was born in Detroit, Michigan and attended grade school in Atlantic City, NJ. He graduated from high school in Mt. Lebanon, PA,

and after service in the United States Army attended the University of Pittsburgh where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He was a member of two honorary societies. He completed work for a MS degree (1957) and a Ph.D. (1961), all in psychology while holding various teaching and research positions at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1961 he moved to Case West-ern Reserve University in Cleveland, OH where he became a tenured Associate Profes-sor of Psychology. In 1969–70, he was Pro-fessor of Psychology in the Pennsylvania State College System, and in 1970–71, he was a Career Research Specialist for the State of California.

From 1971 to 1978, Taber coordinated a psychiatry inpatient program at the Brecks-ville Veterans Administration Hospital in Brecksville, OH. From 1978 to 1985, he coordinated the Gambling Treatment Pro-gram started by Dr. Robert Custer at Brecks-ville. From 1985 to 1990, he was Chief of the Addictive Disorders Treatment Program at the Reno, Nevada V.A. Hospital. Taber finished his career at the V.A. Domiciliary in White City, OR where he served on the

Alcohol and Drug Unit. He then lived in Oregon and, for five years, in Las Vegas, NV where he joyfully flew fixed wings and ultra light aircraft.

For the past eight years Taber lived on south Whidbey Island in Puget Sound where he wrote, fished for salmon, played Irish ditties on the penny whistle, and vastly enjoyed avoiding any and all responsibility in his retirement.

In his early scientific and professional work, Taber co-authored one book, several book chapters and many studies in psychological journals and collections. In the mid 1980s, he co-authored the first two follow-up stud-ies on the effectiveness of professional treat-ment for problem gambling, studies based on his work at the Brecksville Division of the Cleveland V.A. Medical Center in the pro-gram started by Dr. Robert Custer. In 1986, the National Council on Problem Gambling awarded Taber the Herman Goldman Award for his outstanding clinical skills with prob-lem gamblers. The award also acknowledged his successful treatment methods for problem gambling documented in several of his pub-lished studies. In addition, he served on the first editorial board of the Journal of Gam-bling Studies as well as sat on the board of directors of the National Council during the 1980s. In 2005, the National Council on Problem Gambling honored Taber with the Dr. Robert L. Custer Lifetime Award for Direct Service.

Continuing his devotion to writing during his retirement years, Taber wrote in a variety

“Never Enough” Reading“Never Enough” is going to be read

fromNovember3rdtothe11th.Youcan find which NPR stations carry it by checking the radio schedule and the internetstreamingschedule.

Just Google: Dick Estell—The Radio Reader.

of genres. He produced scientific and profes-sional works in psychological studies, a mul-titude of articles and opinion columns, short stories in fiction and autobiography, plays, poetry in many classical styles. His poetry chapbook, Poems for the Rest of Us is a collec-tion of funny and poignant poems in a vari-ety of classical styles. His book, In the Shadow of Chance is a text for problem gamblers that was a compilation of his treatment and clini-cal experiences; the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling continues to use Taber’s book as a training manual for clinicians working with compulsive gamblers. During his time working with problem gamblers, Taber developed a genuine respect for those he treated. “The real teachers,” he said, “are the patients.”

Having moved 22 times in his life, on May 29th Julian boarded a plane bound for Maine where he intended to live with his daughter and had just purchased a home. However, the strength of his desire could not be met by the reality of his failing heart. He died while in flight on May 30, 2009.

Dr. Julian I. Taber is survived by his brother James Taber (Portland, OR). In addition to his works of writing, Julian leaves to the world his creative legacy of three children: Donald B. Taber (Newbury Park, CA), Geof-frey A. Taber (Columbus, OH) and Rachel K. Taber-Hamilton (Freeland, WA and Windsor, ME). LaVene Patricia Taber, Ju-lian’s beloved wife of 32 years, (1956) pre-ceded him in 1988. He never remarried.

SAVE THE DATE!

24th National Conference June 10–12, 2010 Portland, Oregon

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 5

Hi, my name if Jeff Z. and I am a pathological gam-bler, and my last bet was on October 4, 2008. I am also an alcoholic, but that is for another meeting or publi-cation. By the submission deadline of this article, I will have seven moths clean. Seems appropriate because that marks my seven-month anniversary of my submis-sion deadline. I am powerless over gambling, and when I am active in my addiction, or when I am not working the program fully and sincerely, my life is unmanage-able. Because I am powerless, I submitted myself to GA, and my life has never been the same. I write this article partly because it is therapeutic for me, but also because my experience may help others. The topic of this article will be discovering myself after a length of sobriety, and how I am dealing with this. It’s been quite a journey, and I am just at the beginning.

In the late summer of 2008, I was at the end of my gambling career. I was sneaking out of the Borgata Casino because I didn’t have enough money to pay the hotel bill. I went to play in the WPT tournament. I played in a $200 satellite, and was busted out in the first hour. I droveall night to get there on time for this event, which started at nine in themorning. By 10 I was out, but not ready for bed. Even though I hadnot slept for more than 24 hours, hadn’t eaten in nearly that long, andhad neglected other activities of daily living, I was more interested in emptying my bank account to play blackjack. A few hours later I was flat broke. I brought my laptop, so I went to my hotel room, and played poker online (I charged the $10 internet charge to the room) until 4 in the morning. I slept for 4 hours until 10, and then knew I had to go because I had nothing left, and no other credit to tap into.

In driving home, there were several tolls to pay, literally and figura-tively. The first, going into Pennsylvania from New Jersey, cost some-where around $2. I had to pull over to the side of the freeway to count out all of the pennies and nickels in my car. Luckily I had enough, but the toll booth attendant was not happy with me. I knew that I could not take Interstate 70 home because that toll would cost me $20, and I just spent my last 2. I consulted the map, and found an alternate route that avoided the tolls. This route took me south in Pennsylvania, then into Maryland, West Virginia, and then in Ohio. On this trip, I soiled myself, fell asleep probably a dozen times only to snap back to reality, nearly skidded off the road because my tires were bald and I was driving in a storm, and felt shame, remorse, and guilt from my exploits on this well-intended trip.

Sadly, this was not enough for me, and it took me another month to finally stop and seek help. I will spare you the details for now. I men-tion this story to give you an idea of where I was, how my actions were while I was active in my addiction, and to give you an idea of the downward spiral that I was in, that I felt I could not escape from. When things were good, bad or indifferent, I would engage in mood-altering activities so that I would not have to feel. Consequently, I did not mature either, and my emotional growth was halted years ago. When I finally walked through the treatment doors, I was broken, and incapable of making even the easiest of decisions. I put my trust in my doctor, my counselors, and my peers in treatment with me. By sticking with it, and working the program, I feel that I am now to a point where my brain is beginning to work again. This is extremely scary because I am just now getting to know myself. I am a 32-year-old living in Columbus, Ohio, and for the first time in longer than I

can remember, I know Jeff Z. and I like Jeff Z.

I wish I could tell you that the Jeff Z. of today is allbetter, and things are wonderful. I created a huge mess,and it will take me a lot longer than seven months to fix it. My job, at least right now, is an attorney. I say right now because that may change. To sustain my addiction, I stole money from two clients, and ne-glected countless others. The stolen money has been paid back, and all the cases that were delinquent are caught up and finished. These are, no doubt, huge steps for me, but bigger ones await.

Recently, I began to feel the same anxiety that I felt when I was gam-bling and drinking, although I was clean and working the program. I go to meetings everyday, I have a sponsor, I work the steps, pray, meditate, and read whatever I can get my hands on. I was really struggling with this because I couldn’t answer the question of why I was feeling this way if I was doing the things that I was supposed to? To answer this question, I did something that I had never done before I began treatment—I talked to people about it. These people, who have exponentially more sobriety than me, told me the answer is twofold: 1) you must put your sobriety first because if you are not sober then you will go right back to where you were. Also, work the steps. These together, though, don’t magically make things better. What happens is that these give you the tools to better deal with problems. And, 2) get to know yourself. You have to know who you are and what you want out of life to set boundaries. Be comfortable in your own skin so that your program will optimally work for you. These ideas are novel, simple, and yet not intuitive to this addict.

What I have discovered is that I have the most passion about people that are like me. I now know that my practice of law (if I am able to keep my law license) needs to be public service focused. I need to be a voice for those that do not otherwise have one. My practice now is focused around probate and real estate matters. I would wake up everyday stressed and anxious because I knew that I had to do work that was not what I wanted to do. I engaged in this area of law be-cause I was afraid of not making money, of not making a name for myself, and of being a failure. I was familiar with probate and real estate, so that is where I focused my attention. Nonetheless, I also, on occasion would take cases in an area of law that I knew nothing about. This was my pride and ego at play. I took on cases in areas of law that I knew nothing about because I felt like I could do anything. I felt like I could learn in a day what lawyers who specialize in these areas take their entire careers to learn.

Through a lot of thinking, talking, praying, and working the steps, I know that I am good at litigation, misdemeanor criminal cases, and child custody cases. It is not glamorous nor will it make me rich, but it is my calling. The challenge I have now is to transform my practice into my passion. I have clients that have been waiting patiently for me. I can’t be afraid to tell them the truth. Learning to be human is a hard and long process. My clients are in my wake, but if I become inhuman again, I will be of no service to anyone.

I was once told that getting sober is easy. All one must do is quit gambling and change his/her entire life. As I regain normalcy, I now understand that this quip is both witty and real. The road to sobriety is winding but well worth it.

6 National Council on Problem Gambling

One of the hardest parts of pathological gambling treatment, if not the hardest, is identifying the problem gambler in the first place. Pathological gambling, an impulse control disorder, is largely “invis-ible,” that is, no “track marks,” no tell odor, no positive Breathalyzer results. How do we identify a gambling problem earlier in its progres-sion, before the negative consequences of late-stage pathological gambling start to accumulate? What seems to be needed is a simple, accurate and effective initial screening tool for use by problem gam-bling professionals and non-professionals alike.

Fortunately, there is such a tool. One of the simplest yet most effectivescreening tools, the Lie-Bet Questionnaire (Johnson, et al., 1988), consists of two items:

• Haveyoueverhadtolietopeopleimportanttoyouabouthowmuch you gambled?

• Haveyoueverfelttheneedtobetmoreandmoremoney?

This simple screening takes less than a minute as part of any other health screening by health care and mental health care professionals and non-professional or non-credentialed care givers. The reliability and validity of the Lie-Bet Questionnaire has an internal sensitivity of .99 and a specificity of .91. Answering “Yes” to one or both questions strongly suggests problem gambling and the need for further assess-ment by a credentialed professional qualified to diagnose and/or treat pathological gambling.

Once identified, the potential problem gambler can receive more comprehensive screening and assessment using more extensive instru-mentation such as the American Psychological Association’s Diagnos-tic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) diagnostic criteria, the Gamblers Anony-mous 20-questions, the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center (NORC) DSM-IV Screen for Gambling Problems

The Hardest Part is the EasiestBy Colin Hodgen and Lynne Daus

(NODS), and/or the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). The Lie/Bet Questionnaire is included with these instruments in the Gambling Patient Placement Criteria (GPPC). These instruments are readily available to, and easily used by, problem gambling prevention and treatment professionals.

But what about the non-professionals who may encounter, but not recognize, problem gambling behavior? The Lie/Bet Questionnaire provides a window into gambling behavior for concerned individuals. One area of recently increasing interest is the identification of prob-lem gamblers by law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Com-mitting crimes to support problem gambling is one of the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria, but the disordered gambling component of these crimes may be overlooked. Law enforcement officers, prosecu-tors, and judges should be encouraged to consider the Lie/Bet ques-tions when confronting financial crimes typical of individuals with a gambling problem. This can be the key to offering access to diversion programs such as the one recently enacted in Nevada (NRS 485A, “Prevention and Treatment of Problem Gambling”). This affords the offender and the court of including a treatment option with correc-tions and restitution.

The Lie/Bet Questionnaire for Screening Pathological Gamblers works. No lie.

Colin Hodgen may be contacted through the Reno Problem Gambling Center, Reno, NV (www.renopgc.com). Lynne Daus may be contacted through Lynne Daus Evaluations, Reno, NV.

ReferenceJohnson, E., Hamer, R., Nora, R., Tan, B., Eisenstein, N., & Engelhart,C. (1997). The Lie/Bet Questionnaire for Screening Pathological Gamblers. Psychological Reports, 80(February), 83-88.

Southern California Problem Gambling Regional Summit

The Problem Gambling Prevention Project will be conducting a FREE summit intended for service providers and the public to obtain information on the issue of problem gambling and its im-pactonindividuals,vulnerablepopulations,andsociety.Informa-tionwillalsobeprovidedabouttreatment,resources,andcurrentandfuturepolicyimplications.

DATE: Friday, October 23, 2009

TIME: 9:30 am to 3:00 pm

LOCATION: War Memorial Building in Balboa Park 3325 Zoo Drive (located at the north end of the SD Zoo parking lot) San Diego, CA 92101

COST: FREE (light lunch included)

Formoreinformationandtoregister,pleasecontact:ChristinaLay(213)625-5795,clay@napafasa.orgMarcoLoera(213)617-8359,mloera@napafasa.org

6 CEUs are available ($10administrativefee)

If you need a disability-related reasonable accommodation/ alternativeformatforthisevent,pleasecontactMarcoLoeraat(213)625-5795,mloera@napafasa.orgbeforeOctober8,2009.

Register on-line at www.formspring.com/forms/?706748-l7soujbM2e

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 7

In July of this year, Illinois citizens and legis-lators were taken by surprise when Gov. Pat Quinn signed the Video Gambling Act, allowing video poker machines in bars, res-taurants and social clubs, to help fund $31 billion dollars of state construction projects and create jobs. The Act allows for the in-stallation of as many as 45,000 of these machines throughout the state, while estimates of revenue from them range from $300 to $641 million. It charges the Illinois Gaming Board with the task of regulating the machines, but provides no resources to create the additional infra-structure for the Board to do so. It earmarks a small percentage of registration fees, but not of revenues, for purposes of treatment. It sets aside no funds at all for public awareness and education.

Public outcry has been swift and strong. Communities are allowed to opt out of this legislation, and many have already done so. Civic organizations, such as the Illinois Bet-ter Government Association, and media, including the influential Chicago Tribune, are advocating for repeal. For the Illinois Coun-

Video Gambling Issues in IllinoisBy Elisabeth Houston

cil, this state of affairs has represented an opportunity. With so much media attention being devoted to video gambling, we have worked to draw both the media’s and the public’s attention to the broader issue of problem gambling, and we have reached out to other organizations to create a strong public voice. We have launched a media campaign with letters to the editors of papers throughout the state, are in the process of issuing a white paper on problem gambling and are launching a legislative advocacy initiative. We are letting the public know that problem gambling is not just an indi-vidual problem, but rather a community and social problem, by pointing out the dollar and intangible costs associated with it: bank-ruptcy, foreclosure, unemployment, criminal activity and incarceration, domestic violence and child abuse and neglect. We are focusing attention on the fact that, as the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago stated in its seminal report several years ago, “While costs begin with the gam-bler, they spill over to the household, other family members, friends, employers, creditors and the community as a whole.”

Co-morbidity of substance abuse, primarily alcohol, has long been associated with prob-lem gambling. Recent studies have surfaced that shows a relationship between anger and emotion regulation in the development of gambling problems.

Non-problem gamblers reported not using gambling as a strategy in order to deal with negative emotions whereas problem gamblers tend to use gambling as their primary emo-tion regulation strategy. Female gamblers reported the use of gambling to regulate emotions more than male gamblers.

Individuals who are emotionally vulnerable and who have poor coping skills, and/or negative family, developmental, and life expe-riences develop gambling problems as a means of adapting to or adjusting to negative

Gambling and Anger ManagementBy Catherine Bukovitz, M.A., M.S.

affective states. These negative emotions and environmental pressures intensify impulsivity contributing to gambling behaviors.

Understanding emotion regulation is impor-tant in understanding the link between prob-lem gambling and anger. Beaudoin and Cox (1999) in their study found a connection to the role of emotion and gambling with more than 80 percent of problem gamblers who reported gambling in order to relieve or escape from life stressors. When unable to implement effective coping skills, anger problems ensue.

In a study conducted by Korman et al., (2008) two-thirds of problem gamblers surveyed had co morbid anger problems. A risk factor for relapse has been identified as

anger management. An effective intervention treatment strategy is cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBT) that help participants iden-tify and correct distorted cognitions.

With angry and emotionally dysregulated clients, the lack of effective strategies to regulate their anger and emotions may not only limit their ability to process new infor-mation, they may use gambling as a coping strategy to life and environment stressors. As counselors, we should be aware of the con-nection between problem gambling, anger, and emotional dysregulation and implement anger management strategies into our treat-ment interventions to reduce the possibility of relapse.

As a state, Illinois is dramatically under-funded not only in terms of community mental health resources but especially in terms of public funding for problem gam-bling. We have very conservatively estimated that quantifiable social costs of problem gambling in Illinois amount to approxi-mately $28 million per year, yet less than one million in public funding for treatment is available. This means that Illinois spends approximately $0.08 per capita on problem gambling. By contrast, our neighboring state of Iowa sets aside $2.37. Moreover, Illinois, unlike many other states, has no reserve of state gambling revenues set aside for treat-ment, education, prevention or encourage-ment of specialized counselor training. The Illinois Council on Problem Gambling is using this opportunity to let the public know that public awareness, education and treat-ment are effective. We are proposing that no less than 1 percent of all gambling revenues be devoted to these purposes. We think it’s about time.

8 National Council on Problem Gambling

Membership / Supporter Form

The NCPG is the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families

Name (Please Print Clearly or Type) Company Job Title Address City State/Province Zip/Postal Phone Fax E-mail

Memberships

Individual Member Includes full voting membership, the NCPG Newsletter, member certificate, bi-monthly subscription to Addiction Professional, discount on literature and conferences. ***Contact your local Affiliate for a discount on Individual Membership

$75.00

Individual Member Plus Includes all benefits of the Individual Member level, with the addition of a subscription to International Gambling Studies, a peer reviewed interdisciplinary journal in gambling studies.

$100.00

Corporate Member Includes full voting membership, NCPG Newsletter, membership plaque, Annual report. All employees are eligible for discounted member rate at National Conference.

$5,000.00

Support Opportunities

Supporter Receives NCPG Newsletter “National News” Only. $25.00

Contributor Receives NCPG Newsletter, thanks in newsletter, framed certificate. $250.00

Silver Receives NCPG Newsletter, thanks in newsletter, framed certificate, and Annual Report. $500.00

Gold Receives all above as well as National Council’s “Book of the Year”. $1,000.00

Platinum Receives all of above, with membership plaque. $2,500.00

Total:

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730 11th St., NW, Ste. 601 Washington, DC 20001 P: 202-547-9204 F: 202-547-9206 ncpg@ncpgambling.org www.ncpgambling.org

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National Council on Problem GamblingNATIONAL HELPLINE 1-800-522-4700 24 Hour Confidential

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 9

The Counselor’s CornerThe Counselor’s Corner

People change when they have enough reason to change.

Problem/pathological gambling is a chronic, progressive and terminal disease that negatively impacts the gambler and those around the gam-bler. No matter how much loved ones care or hurt it is not possible to make someone with this disease stop gambling. It is also not pos-sible to lockup, involuntarily commit or otherwise force the problem/ pathological gambler to get help to stop gambling.

Yet there are ways to intervene. Often family members, friends, and others care, want to help and do so by intervening in various ways. These inter-ventions usually involve some type of one on one discussion with the gambler. Sometimes this type of intervention provides the gambler enough reason to accept help. Most often, one on one with an ac-tively addicted problem/pathological gambler will be a loss for the family member, friend, and others. That means the gambler “wins” and the disease progresses.

Problem/pathological gamblers change when they have enough reason to change.

When a group of people care about a problem/pathological gambler and are ready to take a next step, an intervention process can be implemented. This process offers those who are ready and willing an opportunity to come together in a meeting with the problem/patho-logical gambler to talk as a team. It can identify additional reasons to get help and can offer the opportunity for help. Whether or not it will be enough reason to accept this offer of help will be decided by the problem/pathological gambler.

When this type of intervention process is used, the team needs to meet with the problem/pathological gambler and talk about four things:

1. We care about you and here’s why – positive, affirmative and caring statements

2. Here is what we see gambling doing to you and those around you – facts, realities

3. Please accept our offer of help – clear message that we are here and want to help

Intervention Process: The Other GoalBy Doug LaBelle, LCSW, NCGC II, BRI I

4. If you are not ready to change, we are, we are not going away nor are we abandoning you but here is what we will change be-cause we care – conse-quences, realities

An intervention process may use a professional facilitator or a family may take the necessary steps on their own. Either way, there is often an expectation that for the intervention pro-cess to be successful the prob-lem/pathological gambler must go for help.

While that certainly is one goal of all intervention processes, it is not the only goal.

The other goal is for the team (family, friends, employers, etc.) to know at some point that they have done and are continuing to do everything they can to help the problem/pathological gambler. In other words, they have done and are doing enough.

To accomplish this goal means that each team member can make a decision — they have done and are doing everything they can do. Nobody can tell them that, nobody can convince them of that, no-body can make them feel that way.

Each team member has an opportunity to reach acceptance of their own “enough” — enough reason to see that it is a chronic, progressive and terminal disease and to accept that they have done and continue to do everything they can do. In fact, they may be able to see that the next thing they can do is to step back and let the problem/pathologi-cal gambler be responsible for his or her own consequences. To do this, they may need to take additional steps to get help for themselves and to make their own next step life decisions.

These life decisions may include acceptance that they will not be giving up on nor abandoning the problem/pathological gambler. Rather, they will be supporting recovery rather than enabling the disease.

People change when they have enough reason to change. Problem/pathological gamblers are people too.

10 National Council on Problem Gambling

The Counselor’s CornerThe Counselor’s Corner

When I was asked to write an article for the NCPG newsletter, I thought to myself, Man I am so new at this, why me? Then it occurred to me that the vast majority of us, no matter how long we have been in the field, are relatively “new” when it comes to working with the gambling population. We are so new in fact, that we have only recently come up as a small blip on the mental health substance abuse radar. Through recent legis-lation and the genuine heroic efforts by the NCPG and those of us in the field, we have just started to increase that blip.

Many of us, in our efforts to let people know about the many and sordid issues surround-ing the addicted gambler, have fallen not on deaf ears (everyone loves a good story), but on indifferent ears. Even within our own communities, families, and organizations we find people who experience many of the behaviors of our gambling clients, but do not recognize the problems. As I ponder this further, I realize that unlike our clientele who have drug or alcohol problems, the gambler has few outward road signs that there is something dangerously wrong. To be more specific, the person who drinks has reminders of the hangover, a slow and painful next day, and of course the “concerned” spouse, and the legal aspects that haunts the back of the drinker/user’s mind, and the societal conse-quences that goes with the behaviors. The gambler, on the other hand, has problems that we are all quite aware of, but does not have the same impact as the drug abusing, drinking client. That is, until it is way too late. As you read this, you are probably thinking, yeah, so just like the addict/alco-holic. You are correct in the conventional way that we have all been taught to recognize and react. While the signs of problem gam-bling are there, they are socially, personally, and legally far more subtle than those of the person who uses chemicals.

To further illustrate my point, the chemical user has a far more difficult time covering up

A Greater PathBy Rob Morgan

use because of the biological effects recog-nized by almost everyone after an evening(s), day(s) of drinking and using. In contrast, the gambler can often go out and blow the entire paycheck and lie about it with no external signs. Only the gambler knows what hap-pened and this is the point.

In a society where celebrities who get into trouble with drugs and alcohol then only get a slap on the hands, minimal consequences and then are excused by their adoring fans appear to set the pace. How many times have we had a client who can excuse bad behaviors by doing what their friends or family are doing or justified it by saying they are not doing poorly because they know someone who has done worse. This fight in which we are engaged is an uphill battle for so many reasons.

In this yet unrecognized field we must be more determined to educate those around us, including, and especially, those in a position of power who do not recognize the potential devastating effects of gambling in our society, home, and life.

The list of those we can go to is well known. We must continue, and, at times, even be-come a nuisance to get people to sit up and pay attention. Then the work really begins. We need to educate not with statistics, but with facts and passion about the expanding problems encountered on a daily basis by our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and families that gambling can rain down on them. This must not be our challenge, but our quest. We are the pioneers in this growing and vital new frontier in the world of mental health and addictions.

Job Announcement: Executive DirectorExecutiveDirector,NorthstarProblemGamblingAlliance(NPGA),aMinnesota

nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those affected by problem gambling.TheE.D.workswithanactiveBoardofDirectorsandmustbeapersonwithstrong

administrative,organizationalandcommunicationsskillswhohasaninterestin problem gambling and related issues and is able to provide direction and leadership towardachievingtheorganization’smission,goalsandobjectives.NorthstaristheMinnesotaaffiliateoftheNationalCouncilonProblemGambling.

FormoreinformationaboutNPGA,visitwww.northstarproblemgambling.org.Foracompletejobdescription,pleaseemailinfo@northstarproblemgambling.org.

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 11

 

  

 

 

 

BUILDING COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING 

 

  

  

Please  join  the  Problem  Gambling  Prevention  Project  for  a  FREE summit intended for service providers and the public to obtain information on the issue of problem gambling and its impact on individuals, vulnerable populations, and society.  You will also learn about treatment, resources, and current and future policy implications. FREE lunch provided!

  

     

DATE: Friday, October 23, 2009TIME: 9:30 am to 3:00 pm LOCATION: War Memorial Building 3325 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park San Diego, CA 92101 COST: FREE!! 

For more information and to register, please contact: Christina Lay, (213) 625‐5795, 

clay@napafasa.org or Marco Loera, (213) 617‐8359, mloera@napafasa.org. Register on‐line at 

www.formspring.com/forms/?706748‐l7soujbM2e 

6 CEUs ARE AVAILABLE($10 administrative fee) 

If you need a disability‐related reasonable accommodation/alternative format for this event, please contact Marco Loera at 213‐625‐5795, mloera@napafasa.org, before October 8th, 2009. 

Funded by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Office of Problem Gambling.

 

  

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2009, 9:30 AM TO 3:00 PMWAR MEMORIAL BUILDING, BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO, CA. 

 

Name: _____________________________________ Do you want CEU Credit? YES     NO   Address: ___________________________________ City: ______________________________________ 

6 CEUs available for full day attendance. $10 administrative fee applies (forms will be given at summit). 

Home or Work Phone: ________________________ If yes, what discipline?:  (circle one) Fax: ____________________________________ Email: _____________________________________ 

LCSW  LMFT  RN  AAHCP  ACADC  Breining Institute CAADE  CAADAC  CAARR  CADDTP  CCBCDC  FACT 

   Select One Workshop Per Session:    Space is limited, please register early.   Session I:  A)    B)       Session II:  A)    B)       Workshop Session I ‐ (12:30‐1:30pm)    

  A) Vulnerable Populations:     Learn about risk factors and prevalence for specific populations, including older adults, ethnic minorities, and youth. 

 

Registration is mandatory, due by Friday October 19, 2009. 

 

To register, please send this form to: Christina Lay, clay@napafasa.org, AND cc: Marco Loera, mloera@napafasa.org. 

Phone: (213) 625‐5795. Fax (213) 625‐5796.   B) Problem Gambling Treatment:     Learn assessment and treatment tools for problem gambling. A short presentation on Gambler's Anonymous, GamAnon, and the California Council on Problem Gambling's (CCPG) certification process for treatment providers will also be given. 

 

  Workshop Session II  ‐  (1:45‐2:45pm)   

  A) LBGT & Problem Gambling:     Learn about prevalence and risk factors particular to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community. 

 

  B) Problem Gambling Treatment:     Put your new knowledge to use! You will be presented with a problem gambling vignette and given an opportunity to develop a treatment plan. 

 

For CEUs, make checks payable to NAPAFASA and submit to staff on day of event. Only checks will be accepted.  

If you need a disability‐related reasonable accommodation/alternative format for this event, please contact: 

Marco Loera at 213‐625‐5795, mloera@napafasa.org, before October 8th, 

2009.  For Directions & Parking Information, please visit:  

http://www.sandiego.gov/park‐and‐recreation/parks/balboa/warmemorial.shtml 

 

 

Funded by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs, Office of Problem 

Southern California Project Partners Include:

JOB POSTING

Job Title: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Career Level: EXPERIENCED (MANAGER) Reports To: PRESIDENT OF THE CCPG Status: EXEMPT, FULL TIME SUMMARY: The Executive Director is responsible for the daily operation of the California Council on Problem Gambling. Must have a clear vision of the mission of the California Council on Problem Gambling. Must strive to always adhere to the mission, that the California Council on Problem Gambling is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assist problem gamblers and their families and to promote public awareness, research, prevention and treatment. The CCPG is funded by voluntary contributions from business and other interested parties, and does not take a position for or against legalized gambling. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Reports to the Board of Directors and is specifically guided by the members of the Executive Board

2. Be a person of high moral character who strives to be a good leader and mentor to those that he/she manages

3. Responsible for supervising the daily operation 4. The primary responsibility of the Executive Director is fundraising 5. Develop all correspondences to the National Council and all Affiliate Councils 6. Interface with gambling related companies throughout the World 7. Oversee the operation and maintenance of the California Council website, the newsletter and

e-mail inquiries directed to the Council 8. Oversee complete financial operations, including accountability for all Council income and

expenses 9. Develop the budget and financial reports for the Board of Directors 10. Develop and promote the marketing of the various gambling videos, books and literature for

the public 11. Promote the casino employee responsible gaming training programs and certification 12. Administer the promotion of the California Certified Gambling Counselor Certification

Training throughout the State 13. Assist and oversee the writing of grants to assist and promote the work of the Council

throughout the State 14. Supervise and maintain the Council’s premier “Problem Gambling Helpline,” including the

mailing of problem gambling related literature for gambler’s and their families • Promote the active use of our helpline through the advertising of the 1-800-GAMBLER number • Develop and distribute annual reports of the helpline, which should include statewide

demographic statistics and trends as they relate to various gambling activities within the State • Continually monitor and assess the helpline operations in an effort to adjust various pre-connect

messages to reduce the non-help calls

(Job Posting continued on next page)

• Report to the Board of Directors recommendations that would enhance the helpline operation in California

15. Assisting with Human Resource matters 16. Evaluating and making recommendations regarding the office, programs, and administrative

support needs 17. Assisting with projects, relating to fundraising, conference planning and events, and public

education/communications 18. Performing all related and compatible duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Supervises associates working within the administrative department, assigned to designated programs. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include help interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. REQUIREMENTS:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related area is desired, but not required. 2. Minimum of 3 years of experience in project/program/contract management, finance planning and

analysis, and/or relevant experience. 3. Experience working in a non-profit organization. 4. Experience in treatment, prevention, public awareness, education or research of problem gambling. 5. Experience in proposal preparation and negotiations, and managing and coordinating programs is

required. 6. Excellent written, verbal, presentation and interpersonal communication skills. 7. Ability to interface with administrative, management, executives, the Board of Directors, State

Legislators, Tribe Entities personnel, etc. 8. Basic computer skills required.

COMPENSATION: Salary commensurate with experience. TO APPLY: E-mail cover letter/letter of interest and resume to the President of the California Council at president@calproblemgambling.org. Position open until filled.

Toll-Free Helpline (800) 522-4700 15

OCTOBER 2009Counseling the Pathological Gambler (I and II)Thursday, October 1, 2009 – Saturday, October 31, 2009Web Based, On DemandCOUNSELING THE PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLER I:This online course provides the opportunity for mental health practitio-ners, health care providers and addiction professionals to develop the skills necessary to effectively diagnose and assess the pathological gam-bler, provide individualized treatment, and define the necessary compo-nents for effective development of a gambling treatment program.COUNSELING THE PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLER II:This online course provides the opportunity for mental health practitio-ners, health care providers and addiction professionals to develop the advanced skills necessary to recommend or integrate effective treatment interventions.Contact:Elizabeth Georgeinfo@nati.org218-722-1503

30-Hour Basic TrainingTuesday, October 13, 2009 – Wednesday, October 14, 2009ODMHSAS Training CenterContact:Wiley Harwell405-801-3329

30-Hour Basic TrainingThursday, October 29, 2009 – Friday, October 30, 2009ODMHSAS Training CenterContact:Wiley Harwell405-801-3329

Calendar of EventsFor more information on these events, please visit

our website www.ncpgambling.org

Thanks to Our New

and Renewing NCPG Sponsors:

Corporate

IGT

Isleta Casino & Resort

Magna Entertainment Corp.

Penn National Gaming

Ebet Technologies, Inc.

AGEM

The Racing Channel, Inc.

Platinum

Casino City Press

National Newsletter Submissions

NCPG encourages submissions for the newsletter from its members. Min. Words: 150/Max. Words: 1,000. All requests must be submitted by November 15, 2009 for the next issue.

Send your submission via email to melissam@ncpgambling.org or mail to: NCPG, Attn: Melissa Martin, 730 11th Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC 20001.

Questions? Contact Melissa at 202-547-9204 or melissam@ ncpgambling.org.

We’re Ready to Listen.If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, give us a call.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline provides toll-free, confidential help 24 hours a day.

1-800-522-4700

National Helpline Report

2nd and 3rd Quarter 2009Each quarter, in the National News, the National Council on Problem Gambling will provide an overview of the calls placed to the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (800-522-4700) for the previous months along with a summary of the total calls received year-to-date.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network is a single nation wide point of access network comprised of 27 call centers, with several centers answering calls for mul-tiple states. Each call center is staffed with professionals who are fully trained to deal with problem gambling calls including those in crisis situations.

Since January 2009, the National Helpline has received over 201,000 calls. The month of August depicted the highest call volume with more than 24,000 calls placed to the National Helpline; a 4% increase from August 2008. Overall, the 3rd quarter saw an 7% increase in calls volume in compari-son to April through June 2009.

The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network is a 24/7, 100% confidential re-source that provides hope and help to prob-lem gamblers and their loved ones. The helpline number (800-522-4700) can be dialed toll free anytime and anywhere in the United States as well as from various parts of Canada and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Helpline Network Call Volume – 2nd and 3rd Quarter 2009

Helpline Calls 2008 vs 2009 Month-to-Date