Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Post 26
Our Needs: They Go Wa-a-a-y Back
The presenter, Jeffrey M. Georgi from Duke University Medical Center, held our attention throughout the entire day. His explanations and insights on addiction composed valuable take-home information for all of us who work in the mental health field of addiction and recovery. Although - so often - we hear how significant for infants is the fulfilling of their basic needs, Rev. Georgi's review of three psychological needs reminded me that we can never hear enough about this topic.
When I considered the outlined needs, I thought: how basic - and incredibly important - they are. If unfulfilled, how does the baby grow - always in search of such needs? Then too, how might a lifestyle, influenced by addiction, be connected?
Let's take a look at the three needs:
Reflecting on these above needs, it becomes obvious: are not these needs STILL significant to older children/teens/adults ... persons of any age? And more to the point: how can the goals of recovery work strive to meet these needs in a healthy, constructive way?
There is treatment for compulsive gambling and there is group support through Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon through which individuals can find help and hope in recovery!
Our Needs: They Go Wa-a-a-y Back
Earlier this month, I attended a conference in Owensboro, Kentucky, entitled Spiritual Caregiving for Persons with Co-Occurring Disorders. The event was coordinated by RiverValley Behavioral Health and the Owensboro District of the United Methodist Kentucky Annual Conference. It was rewarding to see a wonderful turnout and shared effort between treatment providers and the faith-based community.
When I considered the outlined needs, I thought: how basic - and incredibly important - they are. If unfulfilled, how does the baby grow - always in search of such needs? Then too, how might a lifestyle, influenced by addiction, be connected?
Let's take a look at the three needs:
- to be mirrored: when a baby smiles, (s)he has a need to be smiled back; when (s)he cries, there is a need for a concerned response, etc.
- to be seen: hence the child knows that others deem him/her as important enough to be looked at, watched, noticed, paid attention to ...
- to be regarded as
unequivocally wonderful: in other words, the baby is of high value; (s)he essentially is a person of worth: no doubt about it!
Reflecting on these above needs, it becomes obvious: are not these needs STILL significant to older children/teens/adults ... persons of any age? And more to the point: how can the goals of recovery work strive to meet these needs in a healthy, constructive way?
There is treatment for compulsive gambling and there is group support through Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon through which individuals can find help and hope in recovery!
For more information on Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon Meetings, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
For more information on problem gambling, visit
www.ncpgambling.org
For more information on Indiana treatment options, go to
www.indianaproblemgambling.org
OR
www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Post 25
BACK TO THE BASICS: Pathological Gambling in Comparison with Substance Abuse
Earlier this month, I attended the California Problem Gambling Training Summit during "National Gambling Awareness Week" in San Diego. The program was excellent with Keynote Speakers, Dr. Deborah Haskins and Mr. Michael Burke, and many workshops filled with substantial information on problem gambling recovery issues. Over two hundred persons attended, many who were just starting out in their work toward gambling counselor certification. It was exciting to see persons of all ages wanting to learn more about treatment and group support for problem gamblers and their loved ones.
Once again, the differences and similarities between compulsive gambling and substance abuse were emphasized throughout the training. So often, I hear folks claim that all addictions are "alike" ... well, yes, in some ways. However, in order to more effectively treat pathological gambling, an understanding of the differences must be learned. Therefore, I have devoted this GRM Blog edition to the below easy-to-read listing of these similarities and the differences.
Similarites
Loss of control
Preoccupation
Negative impact on major life areas
Tolerance (needs more to get the same effect)
Withdrawal symptoms
Treatment and Self-help groups are effective means for recovery
Bio/psycho/social/spiritual disorders
Family involvement
Differences and Unique Characteristics of Pathological Gambling
Gambling is not self-limiting: gambling does not lead to intoxicated stupors
Behavior is not attributable to intoxication
More intense sense of shame and guilt
Greater denial and stronger defenses
Unpredictable outcome
Progression in addiction can be very swift (even less than a year)
Fantasies of success
No biological test
Intellectualizing with an overtime-working mind
Secrecy: gambling acts are easier to hide; an invisible addiction
Greater financial problems
Imperative and immediate need to protect family assets
Intensity of family anger is stronger and there is more confusion experienced by the family
Problems associated with gambling that impact the family tend to be discovered for longer lengths of time into the future
Less public awareness and acceptance
Often considered by the public to be a moral vice instead of an illness
An excellent resource that addresses this issue is a booklet entitled Pathological Gambling & Chemical Dependency available through Project Turnabout/Vanguard (Granite Falls, MN). For more information, visit www.projectturnabout.org
For further information about compulsive gambling and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Post 24
LOVE RECOVERY OR LOVE ADDICTION
February is a month filled with the symbols and words of love. Prior to Valentine’s Day, sweetheart roses are a common sight and card racks are bursting with valentines. After the fourteenth, marked-down heart candies fill the sales bins. Several years ago during this month, I attended a GA/Gam-Anon Conference with the theme Love Your Recovery. How true, I thought at the time, is this title, directly, on target. If we love what we’re doing, we are more likely to succeed in our endeavors. Conversely, if, realistically speaking, we not only do not love – or even like – what we are spending time doing, most likely, we will have little success.
As thoughts re-gathered around this theme, I toyed with the idea of taking another look at the DSM IV signs of compulsive gambling … this time reworded from the addiction’s point of view. It was a grisly thought: look at addiction in the framework of the addiction’s loving the addict. What would that look like? How would the ten DSM IV criteria be characterized is such a predatory, in-love sort of way?
Below are the criteria stated as they appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (American Psychiatric Association). As you read each one, let your imagination rephrase the wording in the language of the addiction. An example for #1 might sound something like this: I love to fill the mind of the compulsive gambler with memories and dreams of winning and escape so that all (s)he thinks of is his/her gambling experiences.
You get the idea. When you are finished, what kind of picture do you have of pathological gambling? It is not a pretty sight!
1.Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
2.Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
3.Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4.Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
5.Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
6.Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
7.Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
8.Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or forgery.
9.Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
10.Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.
In plain language, addiction might very well appear as a love affair – between the addict and the dysfunctional behavior. Unfortunate? Yes, by all means.
And yet, one’s recovery can claim a prominent – and most productive – place in one’s heart. So rework the ten, in terms of loving recovery; and see what can become of the person in recovery. Now, this is a pretty sight!
For more information on recovery for compulsive gamblers, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
For more information on recovery for loved ones of compulsive gamblers, visit www.gam-anon.org
For even more information on problem gambling recovery resources, visit www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
February is a month filled with the symbols and words of love. Prior to Valentine’s Day, sweetheart roses are a common sight and card racks are bursting with valentines. After the fourteenth, marked-down heart candies fill the sales bins. Several years ago during this month, I attended a GA/Gam-Anon Conference with the theme Love Your Recovery. How true, I thought at the time, is this title, directly, on target. If we love what we’re doing, we are more likely to succeed in our endeavors. Conversely, if, realistically speaking, we not only do not love – or even like – what we are spending time doing, most likely, we will have little success.
As thoughts re-gathered around this theme, I toyed with the idea of taking another look at the DSM IV signs of compulsive gambling … this time reworded from the addiction’s point of view. It was a grisly thought: look at addiction in the framework of the addiction’s loving the addict. What would that look like? How would the ten DSM IV criteria be characterized is such a predatory, in-love sort of way?
Below are the criteria stated as they appear in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (American Psychiatric Association). As you read each one, let your imagination rephrase the wording in the language of the addiction. An example for #1 might sound something like this: I love to fill the mind of the compulsive gambler with memories and dreams of winning and escape so that all (s)he thinks of is his/her gambling experiences.
You get the idea. When you are finished, what kind of picture do you have of pathological gambling? It is not a pretty sight!
1.Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.
2.Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same "rush".
3.Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4.Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.
5.Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.
6.Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.
7.Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.
8.Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, or forgery.
9.Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.
10.Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling.
In plain language, addiction might very well appear as a love affair – between the addict and the dysfunctional behavior. Unfortunate? Yes, by all means.
And yet, one’s recovery can claim a prominent – and most productive – place in one’s heart. So rework the ten, in terms of loving recovery; and see what can become of the person in recovery. Now, this is a pretty sight!
For more information on recovery for compulsive gamblers, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
For more information on recovery for loved ones of compulsive gamblers, visit www.gam-anon.org
For even more information on problem gambling recovery resources, visit www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Post 23
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
During our November meeting of the Indiana Conference Advocacy, Social Justice, and Ethnic Ministries Team, we discussed what might be the focus topics for 2012. What top three issues in Indiana might we want to particularly study in terms of potential State legislative items to be considered and implemented? No one mentioned gambling issues - and neither did I. It seemed that 2012 could very well be quiet with regard to the gambling scene at the Hoosier Statehouse.
One month later, national news carried the federal Office of Legal Counsel Opinion: internet gambling could be made legal via any State legislation. Suddenly, year 2012 became forecasted as a boundary-breaking timepiece for cyber-space gambling. Now, a perfect storm would be forming.
For sociologists, one could say that this will be a really interesting time.
For The United Methodist Church, this is a critical point in time.
Legally expanding gambling to the internet is not just about yet another venue of placing bets. Opening the airways to gamble without fear of breaking the law, in effect, brings a legal mini-casino into every home/car/phone with a computer. Gambling legally, then, could be done at any time and almost anywhere.
Given our national economic condition, a need prevails for increasing State revenues. Then too, with the legal lid off, more likely, we will see a dramatic increase in internet gaming venues ... and gambling. How will the States that pass legislation to permit internet gambling handle the tremendous increase in revenues? Will the current state slashing of budgets - especially of mental health services - continue? Will specialized counseling for problem gamblers and their families be made universally available throughout these States? Will prevention education about gambling addiction be broadly expanded for the public eye to see, plainly?
Again, this is a critical time for The United Methodist Church. Our UM Social Principles speaks out against gambling - and any expansion of gambling. Moreover, within the Principles, there is the call: Where gambling has become addictive, the Church will encourage such individuals to receive therapeutic assistance so that the individual's energies may be redirected into positive and constructive ends.
In response to proposed State legislation to legalize internet gambling. once more, United Methodists will be reminded that the expansion of gambling within our country is not a dead issue. The need for the Church to respond is essential. The time to prepare for the storm is now.
The critical points to include are the following:
** no legalization of internet gambling
** increased budgeting for training counselors to be certified in gambling
addiction counseling
** creation and support of in-patient treatment facilities for compulsive gamblers
** statewide expansion of prevention education concerning problem gambling and
recovery issues
In closing, I urge you to study, prepare for, and take action with regard to your State legislature's consideration of legalizing internet gambling. A recent blog that I read, from another website, called for waiting to see what will happen by his State legislators. Why wait? Their action might take place before your action ever began. Why wait?
For more information on problem gambling concerns in Indiana, go to http://www.indianaproblemgambling.org/
Information about online problem gambling can be found at http://www.ipgap.indiana.edu/images/documents/factsheet/online_college%20gambling.pdf
For further information on gambling addiction and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
During our November meeting of the Indiana Conference Advocacy, Social Justice, and Ethnic Ministries Team, we discussed what might be the focus topics for 2012. What top three issues in Indiana might we want to particularly study in terms of potential State legislative items to be considered and implemented? No one mentioned gambling issues - and neither did I. It seemed that 2012 could very well be quiet with regard to the gambling scene at the Hoosier Statehouse.
One month later, national news carried the federal Office of Legal Counsel Opinion: internet gambling could be made legal via any State legislation. Suddenly, year 2012 became forecasted as a boundary-breaking timepiece for cyber-space gambling. Now, a perfect storm would be forming.
For sociologists, one could say that this will be a really interesting time.
For The United Methodist Church, this is a critical point in time.
Legally expanding gambling to the internet is not just about yet another venue of placing bets. Opening the airways to gamble without fear of breaking the law, in effect, brings a legal mini-casino into every home/car/phone with a computer. Gambling legally, then, could be done at any time and almost anywhere.
Given our national economic condition, a need prevails for increasing State revenues. Then too, with the legal lid off, more likely, we will see a dramatic increase in internet gaming venues ... and gambling. How will the States that pass legislation to permit internet gambling handle the tremendous increase in revenues? Will the current state slashing of budgets - especially of mental health services - continue? Will specialized counseling for problem gamblers and their families be made universally available throughout these States? Will prevention education about gambling addiction be broadly expanded for the public eye to see, plainly?
Again, this is a critical time for The United Methodist Church. Our UM Social Principles speaks out against gambling - and any expansion of gambling. Moreover, within the Principles, there is the call: Where gambling has become addictive, the Church will encourage such individuals to receive therapeutic assistance so that the individual's energies may be redirected into positive and constructive ends.
In response to proposed State legislation to legalize internet gambling. once more, United Methodists will be reminded that the expansion of gambling within our country is not a dead issue. The need for the Church to respond is essential. The time to prepare for the storm is now.
The critical points to include are the following:
** no legalization of internet gambling
** increased budgeting for training counselors to be certified in gambling
addiction counseling
** creation and support of in-patient treatment facilities for compulsive gamblers
** statewide expansion of prevention education concerning problem gambling and
recovery issues
In closing, I urge you to study, prepare for, and take action with regard to your State legislature's consideration of legalizing internet gambling. A recent blog that I read, from another website, called for waiting to see what will happen by his State legislators. Why wait? Their action might take place before your action ever began. Why wait?
For more information on problem gambling concerns in Indiana, go to http://www.indianaproblemgambling.org/
Information about online problem gambling can be found at http://www.ipgap.indiana.edu/images/documents/factsheet/online_college%20gambling.pdf
For further information on gambling addiction and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Post 22
A “Recovery Tree” with Promises/Presents
Recently, I was privileged to be a part of a discussion about a new take on celebrating recovery at Christmas. We had first talked about how anticipation and expectations of family holiday traditions can run wild. In fact, layer upon layer of annual yuletide goings-on can seem to hold families and individuals in bondage! But we’ve always had Aunt Virgie’s cinnamon buns for Christmas breakfast! … even when they take forever to prepare and bake!
Additionaly, agreement centered around the fact that family dynamics can be severely impacted by gambling addiction. Perhaps, Mom and/or Dad used to carry out family celebrations resulting in ideal scrapbook memories. But things changed - and one or both of the parents was/were not always at home – even for those important celebrations as birthdays or Christmas. Sadly, promises to attend special events became unbelievable. Or maybe heated arguments started to hold sway where, once, family joking and pleasant conversations were the norm.
However, as a person enters recovery, she/he begins to look forward to life’s becoming increasingly stabilized. Certainly, more time is available to spend with loved ones. Hopefully, a bit of money can be saved for modest gift giving. Sadly, but understandably, family members may not have caught up to new expectations held by the person in recovery. Trust may not be regained … and disappointment doesn’t want to be experienced, yet again.
Still, the one in recovery does need to celebrate, especially at a time when others are joining into an atmosphere of celebration. I do want to say that if loved ones are accepting of the recovering person’s progress, that’s wonderful! That’s ideal! However, if he or she, in recovery, senses reluctance on the part of others to fully celebrate – or even to be antagonistic - there can be a very creative, and prayerfully, fulfilling way to include one’s progress into the festivities – privately.
Our discussion first focused on how the GA Promises in Recovery can actually serve as presents to those recovering compulsive gamblers. Working the Gamblers Anonymous 12 Steps, the reality of recovery becomes more and more achievable and attainable. Life does become more manageable; trust in one’s Higher Power opens up an entirely new perspective; accountability and amends are a part of everyday living; and helping others know that there is real hope and help for problem gambling is rewarding – all of these, truly, become gifts to the one in recovery!
As we talked, someone quickly introduced the idea of – somehow – materializing these promises into the Christmas home scene. We settled upon the Christmas tree arena; and ideas began to fly! How about those miniature gift boxes? Each could have a word written on them to symbolize a certain point of progress (a “promise”) attained: peace, hope, goals (could be individually named), patience, prayer, love, freedom, Meetings, a new job, a family celebration, etc. Christmas card pictures depicting the promises could be fashioned into tree ornaments. Even a nativity scene’s figures may represent various aspects of the person’s recovery. Moreover, creative individuals could design their own promise ornaments.
Interestingly, the idea of quiet messages was discussed. As mentioned, there may be hostility present within the family dynamics. Loved ones may not be willing – yet – to fully accept that the problem gambler is serious about his/her recovery. Perhaps, the recovering individual will need to identify privately the new ornaments with their still hidden meanings. Hopefully, next year will be the time to explain the symbolism!
May God bless you during this Christmas season with a sense of true celebration!
For more information on the Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous, go to http://www.step12.com/promises.html
For more information on Gamblers Anonymous, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
Also, you will find more information for loved ones of problem gamblers at
www.gam-anon.org
Check out www.grmumc.org for more referral information on problem gambling recovery issues.
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Recently, I was privileged to be a part of a discussion about a new take on celebrating recovery at Christmas. We had first talked about how anticipation and expectations of family holiday traditions can run wild. In fact, layer upon layer of annual yuletide goings-on can seem to hold families and individuals in bondage! But we’ve always had Aunt Virgie’s cinnamon buns for Christmas breakfast! … even when they take forever to prepare and bake!
Additionaly, agreement centered around the fact that family dynamics can be severely impacted by gambling addiction. Perhaps, Mom and/or Dad used to carry out family celebrations resulting in ideal scrapbook memories. But things changed - and one or both of the parents was/were not always at home – even for those important celebrations as birthdays or Christmas. Sadly, promises to attend special events became unbelievable. Or maybe heated arguments started to hold sway where, once, family joking and pleasant conversations were the norm.
However, as a person enters recovery, she/he begins to look forward to life’s becoming increasingly stabilized. Certainly, more time is available to spend with loved ones. Hopefully, a bit of money can be saved for modest gift giving. Sadly, but understandably, family members may not have caught up to new expectations held by the person in recovery. Trust may not be regained … and disappointment doesn’t want to be experienced, yet again.
Still, the one in recovery does need to celebrate, especially at a time when others are joining into an atmosphere of celebration. I do want to say that if loved ones are accepting of the recovering person’s progress, that’s wonderful! That’s ideal! However, if he or she, in recovery, senses reluctance on the part of others to fully celebrate – or even to be antagonistic - there can be a very creative, and prayerfully, fulfilling way to include one’s progress into the festivities – privately.
Our discussion first focused on how the GA Promises in Recovery can actually serve as presents to those recovering compulsive gamblers. Working the Gamblers Anonymous 12 Steps, the reality of recovery becomes more and more achievable and attainable. Life does become more manageable; trust in one’s Higher Power opens up an entirely new perspective; accountability and amends are a part of everyday living; and helping others know that there is real hope and help for problem gambling is rewarding – all of these, truly, become gifts to the one in recovery!
As we talked, someone quickly introduced the idea of – somehow – materializing these promises into the Christmas home scene. We settled upon the Christmas tree arena; and ideas began to fly! How about those miniature gift boxes? Each could have a word written on them to symbolize a certain point of progress (a “promise”) attained: peace, hope, goals (could be individually named), patience, prayer, love, freedom, Meetings, a new job, a family celebration, etc. Christmas card pictures depicting the promises could be fashioned into tree ornaments. Even a nativity scene’s figures may represent various aspects of the person’s recovery. Moreover, creative individuals could design their own promise ornaments.
Interestingly, the idea of quiet messages was discussed. As mentioned, there may be hostility present within the family dynamics. Loved ones may not be willing – yet – to fully accept that the problem gambler is serious about his/her recovery. Perhaps, the recovering individual will need to identify privately the new ornaments with their still hidden meanings. Hopefully, next year will be the time to explain the symbolism!
May God bless you during this Christmas season with a sense of true celebration!
For more information on the Promises of Alcoholics Anonymous, go to http://www.step12.com/promises.html
For more information on Gamblers Anonymous, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
Also, you will find more information for loved ones of problem gamblers at
www.gam-anon.org
Check out www.grmumc.org for more referral information on problem gambling recovery issues.
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Post 21
A Giving-Thanks Screen
So often, emphasis is given on assessing whether or not – or how severe – an individual’s gambling problem exists. Commonly, we hear of GA’s and Gam-Anon’s sets of Twenty Questions, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the SOGS for Adolescents, the Significant Other Gambling Problem Severity screen, the DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria, the FCCG Screen for Older Adults, and several other assessment tools. These are important and should not be omitted when working with clients.
Still as recovery work continues, it is significant for both the client and the therapist to make note of mile markers that chart progress being made. Again, there are therapeutic tools for such purposes as well as client homework questions geared to make note of positive wellness signs.
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, my reviewing-the-year-thoughts have started in earnest. Asking myself what progress has been made on personal goals and new year’s resolutions (made months ago), the idea to reformat a diagnostic tool into a Giving-Thanks Screen began to take shape.
Looking at GA’s Twenty Questions and several DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria prompted me to put together such a model. Prayerfully, the following questions will not only provide progress assessments but also measurable reasons for giving thanks!
1. Throughout your day, do thoughts of being thankful often come to mind?
2. Do you give thanks for the increasing amounts of money that now enter your bank account due to the fact that money is no longer spent on gambling?
3. Is your day spent in a mode of thanks-living, now that you have passed the stage of restlessness and feelings of irritability associated with unsuccessful attempts to cut back on gambling?
4. Are you thankful that you are free from the lies and excuses you have had to live by, in order to cover up gambling losses and time spent gambling?
5. Do you give thanks for the following that have improved since you no longer gamble: personal relationships, increased performance at work, and sharpened focus within educational/self-improvement pursuits.
6. Are you thankfully relieved that you are no longer trying to obtain money from persons, creditors, or other resources?
7. Thankfully, do you now experience restful sleep, fewer feelings of guilt, and increasingly, fewer arguments?
8. Do you give thanks that every time you now pay a debt, you know that you are making progress in lowering a staggering amount of debts.
9. Are you relieved and thankful that triggers to gamble do not automatically control your actions?
10. Do you feel thankful for new hobbies, interests, and friends made since gambling does not preoccupy your time?
**** Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for not following through with self-destruction?
**** Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for saying YES to RECOVERY?
HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!
For more information on problem gambling recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
A Giving-Thanks Screen
So often, emphasis is given on assessing whether or not – or how severe – an individual’s gambling problem exists. Commonly, we hear of GA’s and Gam-Anon’s sets of Twenty Questions, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the SOGS for Adolescents, the Significant Other Gambling Problem Severity screen, the DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria, the FCCG Screen for Older Adults, and several other assessment tools. These are important and should not be omitted when working with clients.
Still as recovery work continues, it is significant for both the client and the therapist to make note of mile markers that chart progress being made. Again, there are therapeutic tools for such purposes as well as client homework questions geared to make note of positive wellness signs.
As Thanksgiving quickly approaches, my reviewing-the-year-thoughts have started in earnest. Asking myself what progress has been made on personal goals and new year’s resolutions (made months ago), the idea to reformat a diagnostic tool into a Giving-Thanks Screen began to take shape.
Looking at GA’s Twenty Questions and several DSM IV Diagnostic Criteria prompted me to put together such a model. Prayerfully, the following questions will not only provide progress assessments but also measurable reasons for giving thanks!
1. Throughout your day, do thoughts of being thankful often come to mind?
2. Do you give thanks for the increasing amounts of money that now enter your bank account due to the fact that money is no longer spent on gambling?
3. Is your day spent in a mode of thanks-living, now that you have passed the stage of restlessness and feelings of irritability associated with unsuccessful attempts to cut back on gambling?
4. Are you thankful that you are free from the lies and excuses you have had to live by, in order to cover up gambling losses and time spent gambling?
5. Do you give thanks for the following that have improved since you no longer gamble: personal relationships, increased performance at work, and sharpened focus within educational/self-improvement pursuits.
6. Are you thankfully relieved that you are no longer trying to obtain money from persons, creditors, or other resources?
7. Thankfully, do you now experience restful sleep, fewer feelings of guilt, and increasingly, fewer arguments?
8. Do you give thanks that every time you now pay a debt, you know that you are making progress in lowering a staggering amount of debts.
9. Are you relieved and thankful that triggers to gamble do not automatically control your actions?
10. Do you feel thankful for new hobbies, interests, and friends made since gambling does not preoccupy your time?
**** Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for not following through with self-destruction?
**** Do you tell yourself THANK YOU! for saying YES to RECOVERY?
HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!!!
For more information on problem gambling recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
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