Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals

Problem Gambling: A Guide for Helping Professionals
Where to Find Help
There are specialized problem gambling services available in most
communities across Ontario. Every effort is made to respond to calls
within 24 hours and most people can be seen within days. Finding out
about available specialized and community resources is easy by contacting
the Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline, a free, confidential and
anonymous service open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This service
provides information about and referrals to problem gambling
counselling services, telephone-counselling services and mutual aid
organizations such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon.
Help for a problem with gambling is available:
• free of charge and close to home
• to anyone affected by problem gambling—not just the person who
gambles
• confidentially
• individually, in groups and through couple and family counselling
• by telephone in some areas
• in residential treatment programs.
Clients who are actively involved in counselling report that it has
helped them identify their gambling triggers, restore balance and
made them feel better equipped to deal with life.
Problem Gambling Counselling Approaches
Problem gambling counsellors will not make the client stop gambling.
Only the client can make that choice. Instead, counsellors support clients
as they explore issues they see as priorities. The client may be ready
to focus on gambling or may be more motivated to address concerns
related to finances, work and family relationships first. Counsellors
may also help clients identify new options and provide feedback as to
whether goals are reasonable and achievable.
36