A Veteran with a Gambling Addiction
A caller, Lindsay*, recently made a hard decision that many people with addicted loved ones have to make. She recently left her partner, Greg*, because she could no longer deal with the turmoil his gambling addiction was causing. Even though Lindsay took a big step in asserting her own boundaries by separating from Greg, she, like many others, was still concerned with helping him find support and treatment for her loved one’s addiction. A little more about Greg… 29-year-old Greg is an ex-military veteran with PTSD who received two $30,000 settlements for his mental distress. He has blown his entire settlement on gambling. Like many people with process addictions, Greg also abuses substances (he uses alcohol and cocaine), but mostly struggles with gambling. Greg does not recognize he has a problem. Greg admitted to having a problem when Lindsay moved out, but has yet to make any effort to stop gambling or get help. We informed Lindsay that we have specific resources for veterans needing treatment. This was a huge relief to Lindsay, knowing there are resources for Greg to get treatment. We also mentioned the benefit of attending a treatment center that has programs to address both process addictions and trauma, such as our sponsoring organization, Sunshine Coast Health Centre. Lindsay was looking specifically for counselling in Edmonton, AB to help her cope with the impacts of Greg’s gambling problem. We provided her with contacts for the Edmonton Mental Health & Addictions Office… GOVERNMENT-FUNDED OUTPATIENT CLINICS IN EDMONTON Edmonton Adult Counselling and Prevention Services (Alberta Health Services ) 10010 102A Avenue NW Edmonton, AB T5J 0G5 Phone: (780) 427-2736 Open Monday to Friday 8 AM -5 PM, Tuesday to Thursday 8 AM – 9 PM. Intake/Assessment is available on a drop-in basis Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 8 AM – 3 PM and Wednesdays 8 AM – 2 PM. and general links for problem gambling resources in Edmonton and Canada… GENERALIZED EDMONTON RESOURCES FOR ADDICTION Here is the link to a webpage for private Edmonton addiction resources: http://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/edmonton-rehab.html#private There is a long list of counsellors who deal with addictions and Lindsay will have to contact them to see if they help people affected by addicts, specifically gambling, before deciding whether or not she will connect with them. GAMBLING SPECIFIC Here is the link to the gambling-specific resources: http://www.canadadrugrehab.ca/Gambling-Addiction-Treatment.html You will see each province’s resources and you will also see federal resources. Just click the grey bar for each section or province and it will drop down all the resources for that section. This is one resource we thought might help Lindsay more than any other… Problem Gambling Resource Network 2nd floor, 3312 Parsons Road Edmonton, AB T6N 1B5 Phone: (780)461-1259 Email: pgrn@programgamblingalberta.ca The Problem Gambling Resources Network is committed to helping individuals and communities address gambling in a healthy and responsible way through public awareness, education, advocacy, prevention, treatment/referral and research. *Not their real names Looking for more information? Contact us...
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the Edmonton detox blog. This blog and many others are operated by www.canadadrugrehab.ca where we talk to people every day by phone and email and help them find the addiction treatment and support they need for themselves or loved ones. That being said, we know there are many more people out there that we can help. For those who we are unable to communicate with directly by phone or email, we will be posting regular blogs detailing situations of callers across Canada and the resources we provided them so they have the resources to deal with their unique situation (names and personal information will be changed or removed to protect privacy). Each person’s situation is different and the links and information we give is tailored to that individual and their specific needs. We hope you will be able to identify with some of the people in these excerpts and find the provided information helpful in your own search for treatment options. For more personalized help in finding addiction treatment, please contact us at 1.877.746.1963 or info@canadadrugrehab.ca. There is no cost for connecting with us. CDR is a public service whose mission is to help individuals and families struggling with addiction in Canada find treatment and other resources that will help them develop improved, more fulfilling...
