450 likes | 622 Views
Chronic and progressive failure to resist the impulse to gamble and such gambling behavior compromises, disrupts or damages personal, family and vocational pursuits. ...
E N D
Slide 1:PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING - ANTISPIRITUALITY November 10 (Reno) and 12 (Las Vegas), 2009
Lynnette Stilley, MFT, LADC, CPGC-S
Comprehensive Therapy Centers,
Las Vegas, NV
lynnsctc@yahoo.com
Slide 2:Agenda Scheduling 8:30 AM 4:15 PM
Lunch 11:45 1 PM
Breaks 10 AM and 3 PM
Locations
Order of Materials
8:30 10 AM Pathological Gambling 101
10 AM on Spirituality and Pathological Gambling
Slide 3:Outline Pathological Gambling 101
Spirituality and Pathological Gambling
Definitions
Importance of spirituality
Lack of spirituality
Causes
Characteristics
Gamblers magical thinking
Slide 4:Outline, cont. Spirituality and Pathological Gambling
D. Why talk about spirituality?
Values (examples)
Gambling and spirituality
E. Why dont we talk about spirituality?
F. Treatment implications
Our new role
Assessment
Goals
Signs of achievement
Slide 5:Definitions GAMBLING:
. . .any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or depends upon chance or skill constitutes gambling. Source: Gamblers Anonymous
OR:
Players wager money or object of value
Bet is irreversible once placed
The games outcome relies on chance
Bet: An agreement to risk something of ones own in return for the chance of winning something belonging to another or others funk and wagnallsBet: An agreement to risk something of ones own in return for the chance of winning something belonging to another or others funk and wagnalls
Slide 6:Definitions, cont. PROBLEM GAMBLING:
. . .any involvement in risky gambling behaviors that adversely affects the individuals well being this may include issues of relationships, family, financial standing, social matters and vocational pursuits.
Source:
Arizona Council on Compulsive Gambling, 1995
Slide 7:Definitions, cont. COMPULSIVE (PATHOLOGICAL) GAMBLING
. . .a chronic and progressive disorder in which the individual is preoccupied with gambling and the urge to gamble to the extent that the gambling behavior compromises, disrupts or damages personal, family and vocational pursuits. Source:
Dr. Robert Custer, M.D., 1989
OR
Chronic and progressive failure to resist the impulse to gamble and such gambling behavior compromises, disrupts or damages personal, family and vocational pursuits. Chronic: continuing for a long period; constant F & W
Progressive: moving forward, step by step F & WChronic: continuing for a long period; constant F & W
Progressive: moving forward, step by step F & W
Slide 8:Diagnostic Criteria (DSM IV) A. Persistent and Recurrent Maladaptive Behavior (5+)
1. Preoccupation
2. Increasing bets
3. Unable to control, cut back or stop
4. Restless when cutting down or stopping
5. Escape from problems
6. Chasing to get even
7. Lies
8. Illegal acts
9. Jeopardize relationships, job, career, education
10. Bail outs from others
B. Gambling behavior not accounted for by Manic Episode Give examples!Give examples!
Slide 9:Types of gamblers Professional
Antisocial (criminal)
Casual Social
Serious Social
Problem
Pathological (compulsive) Describe: top two are not ones we will see
Bottom 4 are progressive
.Describe: top two are not ones we will see
Bottom 4 are progressive
.
Slide 10:Consequences of problem gambling Emotional - depression, anxiety & stress
Financial - credit/personal debt, property loss
Personal - neglect, lying, arguments, abuse
Employment - lost productivity, absenteeism
Legal - bad checks, embezzlement, robbery, insurance fraud
Spiritual
The rest of this presentation will be about the spiritual consequences problem gamblers may pay
.The rest of this presentation will be about the spiritual consequences problem gamblers may pay
.
Slide 11:Phases of compulsive gambling Note they may become better than before gambling if they do recovery right
Where they are likely to come into counseling
Phases of counseling p.g. in general: screening, assessment, treatment, support groups, continuing care/relapse prevention
Lets turn to the other area of todays presentation: spirituality!Note they may become better than before gambling if they do recovery right
Where they are likely to come into counseling
Phases of counseling p.g. in general: screening, assessment, treatment, support groups, continuing care/relapse prevention
Lets turn to the other area of todays presentation: spirituality!
Slide 12:Spirituality THEIR DEFINITIONS!THEIR DEFINITIONS!
Slide 13:Definitions
Of the spirit Inspiring principle or dominant influence; soul; nature of a person, disposition, attitude; essence or real meaning
Websters
The word spiritual can be said to describe those characteristics of the human mind that represent the highest and finest qualities, such as kindness, generosity, honesty, and humility. GA, Combo Book, Page 1 Are these not what we work with every day?? Motivation, influence, disposition, attitude, meaning, qualities people want to exhibit vs. what they do
.
AND we dont have to recreate the wheel! The next slide is a daily inventory and checklist of some of the qualities people have picked that they want to be
..Are these not what we work with every day?? Motivation, influence, disposition, attitude, meaning, qualities people want to exhibit vs. what they do
.
AND we dont have to recreate the wheel! The next slide is a daily inventory and checklist of some of the qualities people have picked that they want to be
..
Slide 14:Definition, cont. Not so official:
That which gives meaning, connectedness, serenity and purpose to life
Integrity of thoughts, emotions and behaviors; the whole, not the separate parts, of a person.
Being a positive, creative being.
The motivational and emotional source of the human search for meaning. Think about the goals of your clients
. What they describe would make them happy
.Think about the goals of your clients
. What they describe would make them happy
.
Slide 15:Definition, cont. Leads to enhanced feelings of well being, inner peace and life satisfaction.
Our ability to relate to others, to ourselves and to God as we understand Him/Her. Gamblers Anonymous, A Day at a Time
Long-term versus short term emphasis, seeing the bigger picture, getting perspective.
Slide 16:The importance of spirituality Spirituality is:
Part of who we are
A protective factor
An enhancer of well being
Principle utilized by thousands of people recovering from addictions
Slide 17:Causes of lack of spirituality Spiritual abuse
Crisis of faith / conflicts in belief system
Limited spiritual experience
Disconnected from / conflicts with significant others
Slide 18:Common characteristics when spirituality is lacking Rage at or fear of God
Loss of meaning of life
Overly rigid or underdeveloped conscience
Hopelessness
Faith vs Luck attitude (Magical Thinking) THIS IS JUST WHAT I SEE IN CLIENTS EARLY IN THEIR PROGRAM!
Defect: lack of something necessary for perfection or completeness. Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary.
THIS IS JUST WHAT I SEE IN CLIENTS EARLY IN THEIR PROGRAM!
Defect: lack of something necessary for perfection or completeness. Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary.
Slide 19:Common characteristics when spirituality is lacking, cont. Guilt and shame
Guilt: I did something bad. I gambled far more than I wanted to, and that action was bad.
Shame: I did something bad, therefore IM bad. I gambled far more than I wanted to, and that was bad. Therefore I am bad. I am a compulsive gambler and will always gamble far more than I want to. I might as well not even fight these cravings, because there is no hope I can change besides, havent I tried in the past? GUILT: No one can or should take ones feeling of guilt away from you. It is based on your belief that lying/stealing/etc. is wrong, and, being a feeling, prompts you to take action not to do that again. SHAME, however, is based on an irrational belief, that we ARE what our actions are. If I lied, then I AM a liar and will always behave as one. The assumption to that is, once a liar, always a liar, I might as well not even fight it, there is no hope of change. Quite frankly, that is simply not true.
GUILT: No one can or should take ones feeling of guilt away from you. It is based on your belief that lying/stealing/etc. is wrong, and, being a feeling, prompts you to take action not to do that again. SHAME, however, is based on an irrational belief, that we ARE what our actions are. If I lied, then I AM a liar and will always behave as one. The assumption to that is, once a liar, always a liar, I might as well not even fight it, there is no hope of change. Quite frankly, that is simply not true.
Slide 20:Magical thinkingof the problem gambler Superstitions and rituals
Systems
Personification of gambling device
Near-Miss Belief
Hot / Cold Machines
Chasing Beliefs
Ability to influence the outcome
Examples!Examples!
Slide 21:Why talk about spirituality to clients? A disaster such as what has just happened to them can actually be a time of great opportunity; it can be a time, with the help of a support system, in which they can re-value their life. They can consciously adopt the beliefs that they want to believe. For instance, humility: one of the lessons to be learned from this disaster is that they are human: pretty special, but not the biggest, smartest or best thing in the universe! There IS something bigger than you or I. What they call that is entirely up to them. Many people call it God or Higher Power, but they can call it tennis shoe or rock, this group or GA or wisdom if they want. Lynn
Slide 22:Examples Humility: one of the lessons to be learned from this disaster is that they are human: pretty special, but not the biggest, smartest or best thing in the universe! There IS something bigger than you or I. What they call that is entirely up to them. Many people call it God or Higher Power, but they can call it tennis shoe or rock, this group or GA or wisdom if they want. Lynn
Slide 23:Examples Tolerance and acceptance: These may be necessary as clients participate in a support system. As GA says, Principles, not personalities! Knowing what it is that they need and getting it from their support group is necessary for recovery, but so is being realistic. This takes walking the fine line of not ignoring messages they dont want to hear, but also not giving too much authority to what any one person says. Lynn
Slide 25:Why dont we want to talk about spirituality to clients? Spirituality vs. Religion This is the issue that makes most counselors avoid the whole issue!
Religion is for those who dont want to go to hell; spirituality is for those who have already been there. Anon
Therefore, know:
You CANNOT avoid it! It must be included in goals and treatment planning, especially in referrals to spiritual advisors and leaders
Know your religious beliefs and keep your boundaries: do NOT impose your beliefs on others!!
Redefining the word God/Higher Power may help, I.e., Good Orderly Direction, the program, doing the next right thing, etc. Religion: The beliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting mans relationship with the powers and principles of the universe, esp. With a deity or deitiesReligion: The beliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting mans relationship with the powers and principles of the universe, esp. With a deity or deities
Slide 26:Spirituality and problem gambling To a gambler:
Meaning and purpose come from winning
Luck and Chance are their Higher Power
Winning is a proof of spiritual worth
Winning defeats God, or an oppressive belief system
Gambling provides an escape from grief and despair or an oppressive belief system
Slide 27:Problem gambling vs. spirituality PROBLEM GAMBLER SPIRITUALITY
EGO edging God out the source POWER greater than of belief is in the self self
SEPARATENESS not being a BELONGING
part of being a part of
DISCONNECTED from self, CONNECTION to others, community, universe self, others, community, universe
FANTASY and illusion TRUTH - reality about who you really are
EMPTINESS needing more FULFILLMENT
Slide 28:Problem gambling vs. spirituality PROBLEM GAMBLER SPIRITUALITY
SHAMEFUL WORTHY
SECRETIVE HONEST
SCARCITY ABUNDANCE
ATTACK & DEFEND FORGIVING & HEALING
HIDDEN OPEN
ARROGANCE HUMILITY
FEAR LOVE
Slide 29:EVERYONE has spirituality. Gamblers did, even when they were gambling, and perhaps gambling WAS their spirituality it served to provide meaning to their life, provided a connection to SOMEthing, and was the framework for making decisions about their life. However, it was a harmful spirituality, and now they may want to choose something more healthy. Gambling was about randomness and chaos, not meaning and purpose; about competition against a higher system; about control, not acceptance of ones real place in the universe as an important but not all-important part of it. It led to isolation, alienation, and behaviors that were the direct opposite of what they had valued in the past. Lynn
Clients say, That just wasnt ME that did those things the most harmful part of all?Clients say, That just wasnt ME that did those things the most harmful part of all?
Slide 30:Treatment implications
Slide 31:Our New Role Encourager:
Encourage the client to take action, utilize the 12-Steps
Director:
Direct client towards need for spiritual awareness
Guide:
Pointing out alternate routes, hazards to avoid, milestones and guideposts
Healer:
Provide a safe environment for healing, growing, balancing
Slide 32:Assessing spiritual coping styles
Deferring passive, God will handle it
Pleading bargaining, If only____, I promise Ill_________
Self-directing active, handle it without God
Collaborative active partner with God
Slide 33:Spiritual goals Develop helpful spiritual beliefs
Connect to faith community
Find a spiritual advisor: pastor, priest, rabbi
Devotional / scripture reading
Developing helpful faith rituals and practices
Connecting with family and friends
Doing a life review Life review = autobiographyLife review = autobiography
Slide 34:Spiritual goals, cont. Pray
Meditate
Listen to music
Get out in nature
Find/make a sacred space
Find a sense of peace
Use humor / laughter
Slide 35:Spiritual goals, cont. Find value in all situations
View self in relation to a higher purpose
Seek God - not play God
Let go of expectations
Experience the moment
Feel gratitude
Value in all situations Hi, I am ___ and I am a GRATEFUL recovering c.g.
Mindfulness which is already accepting in the counseling field
Gratitude listValue in all situations Hi, I am ___ and I am a GRATEFUL recovering c.g.
Mindfulness which is already accepting in the counseling field
Gratitude list
Slide 36:Spiritual goals, cont. Most (?) important:
A SPIRITUAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Everyone grew up with some sort of spirituality in their childhood support system. They may decide to return to that belief system, or they may need to learn about and adopt another one, or they may need to revise some of either of those choices. Lynn
Slide 37:Spiritual goals, cont. A SPIRITUAL SUPPORT SYSTEM, cont.
How do we do so, however? WITH THE HELP OF SPIRITUAL PEOPLE that we respect. These are people that seem to have some purpose and meaning in life, that are not egotistical (think they are a higher power!) nor a doormat (think they dont deserve a higher power or place in the universe), are connected to others, and have a conscious set of beliefs and values. Lynn
Slide 38:Spiritual goals: AA promises If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.
We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.
We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.
We will comprehend the word serenity and
We will know peace.
Slide 39:Spiritual goals: AA promises, cont. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.
We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.
Self-seeking will slip away.
Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.
Slide 40:Spiritual goals: AA promises, cont. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.
We will intuitively know how to handle situations that used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that [God] is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them. AA Big Book
Slide 41:Signs of Awakening/Protective Factors against Relapse Finding value/fulfillment in any situation
View self in relation to a higher purpose, a sense of belonging and connection
Seek God, not play God
Let go of inappropriate expectations and see truth/reality
Be able to experience the moment
Feel gratitude and self-worth
Slide 42:THE SERENITY PRAYER GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY
Serenity means that I no longer recoil from the past, live in jeopardy because of my behavior now, or worry about the unknown future. I seek regular times to re-create myself and I avoid those times of depletion which make me vulnerable to despair and to old self-destructive patterns.
Slide 43:THE SERENITY PRAYER, cont. TO ACCEPT THE THINGS THAT I CANNOT CHANGE
Accepting change means that I do not cause suffering for myself by clinging to that which no longer exists. All that I can count on is that nothing will be stable except how I respond to the transforming cycles in my life of birth, growth and death.
Slide 44:THE SERENITY PRAYER, cont. THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN
Which means remembering that to give up my attempts to control outcomes does not require I give up my boundaries or my best efforts. It does mean my most honest appraisal of the limits of what I can do.
Slide 45:THE SERENITY PRAYER, cont. AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE.
Wisdom becomes the never forgotten recognition of all those times when it seemed there was no way out, and new paths opened up like miracles in my life.
Source: A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps, Patrick Carnes, CompCare Publishers, 1989.