Problem Gambling Discussed At FSIN Conference

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at 15:15

 

 

Problem gambling counsellors are still learning how to best treat problem gambling, because the way it’s classified continues to change.

 

Pat Sinclair is one such counsellor who was speaking at the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations’ Health and Social Development Conference in Saskatoon yesterday.

 

She understands gambling well, as she is a compulsive gambler — a third generation gambler — and the first one in her family to break out of that cycle.

 

Sinclair works at a treatment centre with the Prince Albert Grand Council.

 

She says telephone counselling is quite successful when it comes to treating gambling problems.

 

Sinclair also says a gambling problem can be seen as an addiction, an emotional illness, or part of a mental illness — so that’s why ways to treat it are always evolving.