Since 1988, the FCCG has been operating its 24-hour HelpLine, providing supportive intervention, factual information on problem gambling, its effects and help-seeking strategies; assistance and emotional support; and referrals to Agency certified treatment providers. Today, this multi-lingual service offers resource information including, but not limited to self-help support groups, such as Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon; referrals to financial counselors and legal advisors trained to help problem gamblers and their families; a Peer Connect program; soft transfers and other avenues.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Peer Connect
Soft Transfer
PATS Program
Articles of Interest
Research
The newly launched Peer Connect program allows HelpLine callers, whether the gambler, loved one or other concerned person, to make a connection with a recovering compulsive gambler. The primary program objective is to provide callers with an opportunity to speak with a recovering compulsive gambler and to seek and obtain information based upon their personal experience. These dialogues offer callers valuable insight about gambling addiction and highlight the different paths of recovery available.
The HelpLine now offers callers from Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties to schedule appointments with a treatment professional while on the phone. As compulsive gamblers have difficulty making that first call for professional help, this is the FCCG’s way to ease the transition.
The Agency’s Preliminary Assessment and Treatment Supports (PATS) program will pay for any HelpLine caller’s first visit with a referred counselor in instances when they haven’t the ability to pay. This service is available to any caller residing within the state of Florida.
The Science of Addiction: Time magazine discusses the historical timeline of addictions including societal implications. Story is complete with in-depth look at different brain scans and diagram of the thought process. READ MORE
Brain Atrophy May Lead to Depression, Racism, and Problem Gambling in Elderly: New research suggests in late adulthood, individuals become more susceptible to atrophy in the frontal lobes of the brain resulting in unwarranted prejudices. Social inappropriateness, depression and gambling problems are among those studied. READ MORE
Slot Machines Aimed Towards Active Youth: New marketing strategies aimed to target today’s youth include looking toward the video game industry for inspiration. READ MORE
Asia’s Growing Gambling Addiction: Macau’s economy last year surpassed Las Vegas as the city with the most total annual wagering revenue. This is the first known case of Internet gambling taking a deadly toll. READ MORE
Man Dies From Internet Gambling: A man dies after gambling on the internet for 30 hours straight in China. The victim fell most likely due to exhaustion, marking this as the first known reported case. READ MORE
Awareness for Alcoholics May Prove to Help Problem Gamblers: Through a combination of drugs and therapy similar to treat alcoholism, help may be in the future for gamblers. The drugs Naltrexone and Nalmefene were examined. READ MORE
New Assessment Tool: New research shows the Gambling Assessment Module (GAM) as the only existing instrument to determine a diagnosis specific to the game a person plays. This is helpful in determining addiction dependence. READ MORE
From a Family’s Perspective: The Effect of Pathological Gambling: Marriages, families and children are widely affected through divorce and abuse in households with problem gamblers. A deeper look into family dynamics highlights improvements for intervention techniques. READ MORE
Gambling and Suicide: A recent Canadian survey addresses the heightened connection between gambling and suicide rates. READ MORE
