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Oregon Opens Two New Facilities for Problem Gamblers
This August, Oregon opened its first inpatient treatment center for gamblers hooked on gambling, whether it is blackjack, craps, poker, roulette, slots, horse racing, sports betting or any other kind of casino gambling, online gambling, etc., which caused problems such as financial ruin, broken relationships and more.
Gambling addicts in Eastern Oregon will be offered treatment in a shorter-term respite program located at the Eastern Oregon Alcoholism Foundation Facility in Pendleton. No exact date has been set, but the program will begin soon.
Lottery funds are used to finance this facility. Jeff Marotta, Problem Gambling Services Manager for the Department of Human Services, said that besides Louisiana, Oregon is the only state that offers state-financed residential treatment for people with severe gambling addictions. "We believe the new facility is the West Coast's only residential treatment program specifically designed to help pathological gamblers," stated Marotta.
For 30 days, residents will stay at the center for treatment with counselors helping them figure out why they are addicted to gambling and how they can turn away from the lifestyle.
In the Salem Facility, run by Cascadia Behavioral Health, part of the treatment includes financial planning, group discussions, as well as getting gamblers away from irrational thinking patterns. Treatment also involves family members.
According to Peter Walsh, Program Manager of Cascadia Behavioral Health, "Many gamblers have a huge fantasy world". As Walsh further stated, "They feel lucky - they just know a machine is ready to pay out".
In Pendleton, one focus is simply getting a gambler into a different environment and away from the casino or tavern, an abbreviated version of the Salem program.
Sunday, February 11 , 2007
Brian Letendre