PROBLEM GAMBLING AND THE FAMILY PROBLEM GAMBLING IS A FAMILY MATTER TREATMENT INSTITUTE JUNE 29, 2007 Donna Whitmire, Problem Gambling Counselor and Linda Graves, Problem Gambling Program Manager, DASA

ProblemGambling is a Family Matter Problem Gambling is a Family Matter Progression of the Family with Problem Gambling Issues A Family Out of the Money Understanding the Three C’s in Family Recovery Family Systems Therapy

Denial Phase –Occasional worries –Keeps concerns to self –Makes excuses for gambling –Considers gambling temporary –Questions unpaid bills –Easily reassured –Unexplained financial crisis –Accepts remorse of gambler

Stress Phase - Spouse spends less time with family - Arguments - Spouse feels rejected - Demands upon gambler - Attempts to control gambling - Provides bailouts - Avoids children, family and friends - Isolation

Exhaustion Phase Intense resentment Thinking impaired Confusion Physical symptoms Immobilization Doubts sanity Rage Anxiety-panic

Film—A Family out of the Money Mom Sons Daughters

Three C’s in Family Recovery Communication Compromise Commitment

Family Systems Therapy  family structure rules  Flexibility of boundaries  Enmeshment in families  Disengaged-rigid families  Aligned family systems  Coalitions – between family members against another family member Structural Family Therapy– Minucin Observed family interactions

Family Systems Therapy  Murray Bowen developed a system where he saw psychological characteristics in families were passed on generationally with:  Fusion  Differentiation  Pseudo self  Triangulation  Family projection process  Emotional cut-off

Thanks a bunch for your participation ! Donna Whitmire, NCGC-II Linda Graves, NCGC-II