MCCA Offers Gambling Treatment

DANBURY — MCCA Outpatient Counseling Center, 38 Old Ridgebury Road, announced that Jerrilynn Tiso, MS, has been appointed as a lead counselor for its Gambling Treatment Program. Called the Bettor Choice Program, it provides counseling services to problem gamblers and their families regardless of ability to pay.

With increases of variety and greater opportunity to gamble has come growth in the number of people experiencing gambling-related problems. Pathological gambling, the medical term for what is commonly called compulsive gambling, affects thousands of Connecticut residents of all ages, genders, races, and religions. Studies estimate that about one percent of adults in the state are pathological gamblers. At Connecticut gambling facilities, however, between 15 and 51 percent of patrons experience severe gambling problems.

Pathological gambling is defined as a failure to control impulses to gamble that leads to severe consequences. Symptoms and signs can include depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, elevated stress levels, and a general decrease in health and vitality. In addition, those who gamble excessively often have difficulty paying their household bills, use their equity or savings to gamble, neglect their family or spouse, sometimes have suicidal thoughts, and may use alcohol or other drugs to excess.

Listed below are four questions to aid in identifying a gambling program:

In the last six months…

Have you borrowed money to gamble or cover lost money?

Have you thought you might have a gambling problem or been told that you might?

Have you been untruthful about the extent of your gambling or hidden it from others?

Have you tried to stop or cut back on how much or how often you gamble?

Answering yes to any one of these questions is suggestive of a problem deserving further exploration with Ms Tiso. She can be reached at 792-4515. All calls will be kept in the strictest confidence.