The Montana Council on Problem Gambling (MCPG), the non-profit entity that provides compulsive gambler group therapy treatment in 22 Montana communities and training for clinicians, announced its spring training program to be conducted April 18-19 at Gateway Community Service in Great Falls. (See more information below.)
Donna Johnson, MCPG executive director, also notes the programs offered by the council are steadily growing as a result of improving awareness of gambling addiction:
--In 2000 MCPG had nine providers who did 110 groups with 210 participants.
--2001: MCPG had 11 providers who did 374 groups with 1,014 participants.
--2002: 15 providers who did 561 groups with 1,628 participants.
--2003: 17 providers, 525 groups, 1,770 participants.
--2004: 31 providers, 758 groups, 1,972 participants including 111 new members.
--2005: 37 providers, 971 groups, 2,607 participants, 173 new members.
--2006: 31 providers, 1,172 groups with 3,003 participants, 165 new members.
--2007: 34 providers, 792 groups, 3,705 participants, 236 new members.
The mission of the Montana Council is to:
--work to identify groups believed to be at high risk for problem gambling and initiate activities to prevent onset or interrupt the progression of the disorder.
--advocate affordable, effective assistance for all individuals who are adversely affected by problem gambling.
--provide training and support certification for health care professionals involved in the diagnosis and treatment of gambling addiction.
--promote education on problem gambling through public and professional forums.
--serve as a resource center for literature on problem gambling.
--develop and execute appropriate fund-raising activities and support and encourage the work of Gamblers Anonymous.
The MCPG is largely funded by contributions from gaming-related business associations and individual businesses.
Gaming businesses and associations also provide a confidential 24-hour toll-free problem gambler help hotline staffed by trained counselors: 1-888-900-9979.
Registration for the spring workshop is set for 8-8:30 a.m., followed by a presentation by Dr. Ken Winters, a professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Minnesota. He is currently engaged in researching the development of a clinical battery for the identification, referral and treatment of problem gamblers.
The following day from 9 a.m. to noon, Bonnie Huestis, LCPC, will speak on alternative therapies for gambling addiction treatment including Equine Assisted Pysochotherapy, "partnering with horses to address a variety of mental health and addiction issues."
The workshop will earn clinicians seven continuing education units on Friday for $75, three CEUs on Saturday for $35 or both days for $100.
Visit the MCPG web-site at:
. They can be reached at 406-698-0528 or 1-888-552-9076. The Montana Council is affiliated with the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.