19-Mar-09. Gamblers leery of seeking help. Calgary Herald, B9.

University of Calgary doctoral student Jenny  Horch has been examining the issues of stigmas and problem gambling since 2005 and is now moving ahead with a study from the gamblers’ perspective. It is her hope that it will help increase the numbers of people seeking treatment or may be useful in developing programs to help them. Horch says that, while a lot of work has been done to combat the stigmas of other addictions, such as alcohol, the same work has not been done with gambling.

31-Mar-07. Gambling experts succumb. Calgary Herald, B2.

This article reports on a two-day conference on gambling-related harm that has attracted more than 100 experts on gambling addictions. The conference is being hosted by the Alberta Gaming Research Institute, a collaboration of the University of Calgary, the University of Alberta and the University of Lethbridge. A five-year institute-funded longitudinal study, one of the most thorough undertaken anywhere, is currently following a group of 1,800 Alberta gamblers.

27-Mar-07. Study aims to assist gamblers. Metro Calgary, 3.

University of Calgary PhD psychology student Nicole Peden is researching and testing a new approach to helping problem gamblers. The program is called Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT). She’s looking for about 50 close family members and friends of individuals with gambling problems to participate in a research investigation.

3-Mar-07. VLT addiction leads the way in region. Lethbridge Herald, A2.

The South Country Treatment Centre in Lethbridge has been helping problem gamblers for a decade. Addictions counsellors at South Country say that about 66 per cent of those admitted to the facility for problem gambling are addicted to VLTs.

13-Dec-06. Program curbing problem gambling a hard sell. Lethbridge Herald, A7.

A year-long review by Edmonton’s Capital Health Region found the Gambling Decisions program developed in Alberta can help reduce average monthly losses by problem gamblers from $832 to $69. Recruiting problem gamblers take part in the program proved difficult and only 21 of 50 participants were able to tracked for the entire study. Results of the trial are to be submitted to the Journal of Gambling Studies for review.

13-Dec-06. Addicts don’t take chance on program. Calgary Sun, 12.

A recently released report indicates that a treatment program aimed at problem gamblers can help them cut their losses by hundreds of dollars per month. A year-long review by the Capital Health Region in Edmonton found the Gambling Decisions program developed in Alberta can reduce average monthly losses from $832 to $69. Health officials noted that is was difficult finding program participants.

22-Nov-06. Gamblers get help through South Country. Lethbridge Herald, A4.

The South Country Treatment Centre in Lethbridge, Alberta was launched a decade ago and remains the only residential program for gambling addicts in the southern half of the province. Though gambling problems may affect a significant number of individuals, waiting lists for the three-week gambling program are short. South Country operates a 21-bed facility near the Lethbridge Research Centre, under contract with the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC).

17-Oct-06. Absolute insanity. Calgary Herald, F1.

This detailed article profiles a sports gambler named Gary who is currently seeking treatment for his gambling-related problems. Gary discusses his all-consuming passion for sports wagering and relates the various ways that it has affected his life over the past fifteen years.

1-Jun-06. Study focuses on distress of gamblers’ loved ones. Calgary Herald, B7.

University of Calgary PhD student Nicole Peden is testing an approach that will use one-on-one support to improve the lives of problem gamblers’ loved ones. The study is called Community Reinforcement and Family Training. It will compare findings with a study undertaken in 2001 involving self-help manuals. In the current study, half of the 48 participants will receive a self-help workbook and the other half will work with a therapist.

1-Jun-06. Parents left with gambling decision. Calgary Herald, B3.

The Calgary Catholic School District will allow parents at its 97 schools to make their own decisions on whether they should fundraise though gambling sources such as casinos and bingos. Trustees voted 4-2 Wednesday night to leave the choice up to parent councils. Those groups choosing to rely on gambling events will be required to donate five per cent of profits to a charity which deals with the treatment of gambling addictions.