Maureen McGuire, 860-679-4523 [email protected]
Distributed September 30, 1998
FARMINGTON, Conn. -- An estimated five-percent of the American population is addicted to the thrills and highs of gambling -- at the race track, the slot machines and wherever lottery tickets are sold. Studies link these addictions with family problems, obvious financial woes and higher-than-average suicide rates.
In light of the tremendous human costs associated with gambling problems, a University of Connecticut Health Center psychologist has started the country's first organized study of treatment options for problem gamblers. Nancy Petry, Ph.D., a psychologist and assistant professor of psychiatry at the UConn Health Center, has joined forces with the Compulsive Gambling Treatment program in Middletown, CT., to measure the efficacy of three outpatient treatment options for problem gamblers.
Through the study, participants are offered free, confidential and outpatient care for eight weeks. After the treatment ends, participants are tracked over the course of one year, Dr. Petry explained, stressing that openings are still available for people who think they may need help with gambling problems. (To participate call 860/679-2177). The treatment options offer varying levels of intervention and behavior modification techniques. All three of the plans embrace the basic principles of Gamblers Anonymous.
"Participants in this study will help us determine the most effective therapies to help people with gambling addictions. Despite the fact that gambling addictions are more prevalent than heroin addiction or schizophrenia, the medical community has done no formal research to establish treatment protocols for gambling addicts," Dr. Petry said.
In addition to her UConn Health Center study, Dr. Petry has submitted a grant proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a broader study on treatment plans for problem gamblers. The proposal is under review and pending approval.
"Problem gambling has steadily increased following the legalization of gambling in the 1960's, and the growing popularity of casinos in the last 10 years," Dr. Petry said. "This is a very real problem for men and women alike -- including many seniors," she said.
"People need to be able recognize the signs of problem gambling. These include: difficulty stopping once they've started gambling; spending more money and time on gambling than intended; planning activities around gambling; hearing complaints from loved-ones about gambling habits; and more," Dr. Petry said. "And they need to know where to turn for help," she added.
"Our study will help determine meaningful options to help people." The University of Connecticut Health Center is composed of three main units: the School of Medicine, the School of Dental Medicine, and the UConn Health System. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. Note: News professionals are invited to visit the Office of Communications homepage at http://it.uchc.edu/uchs/uchcoc/ for archived news releases and other information.
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