Asian Gambling Addiction

Sam Skolnick devoted a chapter to the unique issues surrounding Asian Gambling Addiction in "High Stakes" that's well worth reading.

Pilot programme to help families of recovering gambling addicts

by Ashley Chia            

 Oct 23, 2012

 

TODAY FILE PHOTO

SINGAPORE - The National Addictions Management Service (NAMS) launched a pilot programme last month, aimed at helping families cope as their members recover from problem gambling.

The free eight-week programme, known as Gambling Addiction Management through Education (GAME) - Family, is intended to aid families "make sense of their situation" and receive professional help for their loved-ones' recovery.

Family members will learn how to manage the stress and finances that gambling addiction brings, as well as how to prevent and deal with a relapse, NAMS Counsellor John Chua said.

The programme also includes a support group, where family members can share their emotional struggles and give "constructive suggestions" to help others cope with their situations, said Mr Chua, who spoke at a problem gambling conference today.

The conference, themed "Addressing Harms to the Family" and organised by the National Council on Problem Gambling, is the first since the inception of the Integrated Resorts in 2010.

The pilot programme is currently open to families of NAMS patients, on a referral basis by the service's counsellors or doctors who are seeing the patients and their families. It now has 13 participants.

The programme was started after NAMS saw the need to have "a more focused family program" that dealt with the unique challenges that gambling addiction brings to the table, such as dealing with financial and legal issues.

NAMS, which is located at the Institute of Mental Health, is also embarking on a study here to find out if treatment involving family members affects the treatment outcome for problem gamblers, Mr Chua said.

Speaking to reporters at the conference, Thye Hua Kwan Problem Gambling Recovery Centre's Programme Director Charles Lee noted that there has been an increase in the number of family members of problem gamblers seeking help, as compared to about four years ago when only problem gamblers stepped forward.

Citing public awareness as a reason, Mr Lee added: "Many a times, family members don't think they need help. They don't realise that they are victims too because of the many years of lies and deceit they have been subjected to.

"So, it is important for family members to seek counselling for themselves to heal emotionally and move on and from there hopefully they are able to build a relationship again with the problem gambler."

Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing, who also spoke at the conference, stressed the importance of family support in aiding a gambling addict's recovery. Although families may be victims of problem gambling, they can "also be part of the solution", he said.

Mr Chan also noted that studies have shown that counselling and therapy work best if family members accompanied the gambler to the sessions. "Family members are often the ones who know best whether their loved ones have a gambling problem or need help," he said.

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC121023-0000112/Pilot-programme-to-help-families-of-recovering-gambling-addicts