Our Clients
Interestingly the Gordon House Association does not have a 'typical' client. We have found that each problem gambler has their own distinct variation of the problem. Their gambling will have grown to problem status for a wide variety of reasons: e.g. there are those who gamble because it was very much part of their background; those who gamble to escape from problems or pressures; others who cannot give up the excitement; and even clients who talk of gambling to punish themselves or others.
Often the 'style' of gambling can give us a clue to the type of problem behind it. Many who have a problem staying away from slot machines find relationships difficult or are trying to hide from problems or stresses; they can sit in front of a machine and blot everyone and everything out. We often find that those who stick to the betting shop to gamble talk of a desire to go there for the social side and to enjoy the illusion of feeling skilled whilst looking for excitement to fill needs not filled elsewhere. Whereas many who have a problem with casinos seem to be those trying to achieve, or aspire to, a certain lifestyle or image, frequently unrealistic and fantasy-based for their circumstances.
It is these differences, combined with the mutual understanding of the grip the addiction can have, that provide the basis of the group living 'core' to our programme. Whilst each participant shares an understanding of each other, the differences of their experiences and reasons for gambling give rise to very constructive group discussions and lead to a greater ability to give support to each other.
All residents, whilst 'living' this core programme, are also expected to partake fully in the Gordon House Association's Residential Therapy Programme's three phases;
- 'Coping with Today', learning to occupy time constructively combined with a fairly intensive, and intrusive, period of assessment including the undertaking of a full 'Life Audit',
- 'Coping with Yesterday', a phase consisting mainly of individual counselling sessions addressing issues identified in the 'Life Audit',
- 'Coping with Tomorrow'. This phase of the programme revolves around relocating and a series of 12 relapse prevention and resettlement group work sessions and a communal living experience.
Participation in the full programme involves an average of seven to nine months of individual and group counselling. Our programme requires participants to be able to engage in group work and to have accepted they will not change their gambling behaviour without changing themselves. This does not suit all addicts and we accept that other approaches than the Gordon House approach may still be effective when this occurs. Therefore we encourage membership of Gamblers Anonymous, and the use of the 'GamCare's Counselling Help Line', not only for those unable to access our programme, or those wishing to supplement it, but also for those who find our programme not suitable for their needs or to their liking.
On the 30th September 2002 we also opened a pioneering residential treatment centre for women. Unfortunately we cannot yet provide accommodation for those with childcare commitments or those under the age of 17.
We now offer an Internet-based support and counselling service for those unable to access our residential services together with those awaiting a vacancy, those who have left the high support of one of our projects having completed the treatment programme and the families and friends of compulsive gamblers and those in treatment and recovery.
