WINNIPEG – Gamblers can lose a lot more than their money, according to a counsellor who has worked on the front lines in rural Manitoba.
“Usually, most people who are suffering from a gambling problem have low self-esteem, if any self-esteem left after the period of time they have been gambling,” said Kathie Neufeld, a consultant who works for the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba.
“It’s usually destroyed in the process because they feel so bad about themselves.”
Neufeld, who works in western Manitoba, said although the province has a “progressive” treatment program for people with gambling problems, she believes many rural people have a hard time reaching out for help. She thinks rural people are proud of being self-sufficient, and don’t want neighbors to know they have a problem.
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“It’s very difficult to go to seek help when you know every single person who is at the health unit or hospital or where (addictions counsellors) go,” Neufeld said.
Families and friends affected
She didn’t have statistics on how many rural people are being treated for gambling addictions.
But according to the 1994-95 annual report of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, which finances the treatment programs, there were 276 people in the province receiving help as of the end of March, along with 131 family members and friends of problem gamblers.
The province sets aside $2.5 million per year in lottery proceeds for education, prevention, one-on-one counselling and group sessions for problem gamblers. And this year, the government added $416,500 more.
Altogether, the Addictions Foundation has 16 staff dedicated to working with gamblers.
“Financial, of course is the biggest, most horrendous problem. People usually find themselves coming in because of finances,” Neufeld said.
Both rich and poor suffer
“We’re seeing people from every possible walk of life that you could ever imagine,” she said, adding there are some groups especially at risk:
- Seniors may face depression, isolation, grief over loss of a partner and boredom, putting them at high risk of developing a gambling addiction. Neufeld said many social outings for seniors are now organized around gambling. And she said seniors may have more of a problem dealing with addiction because of the stigma attached.
- Women who are stressed and have a lot of responsibilities, such as single mothers, are also at risk. Neufeld said an evening of gambling or bingo is often considered a “night out.”
- Adolescents may choose to experiment with gambling, then get hooked. Neufeld said the Addictions Foundations has youth workers who focus on preventing this problem through education.
Neufeld said Manitoba is one of the few provinces that has a unit dedicated to treating problem gamblers. The government is also doing a follow-up study to look at the social impacts of gambling and the rate of problem gambling in the province.
A 1993 study by an expert on problem gambling showed that 4.2 percent of Manitobans may be at risk of becoming problem gamblers. According to the Lotteries Corporation annual report, 5.4 percent of Albertans, 3.5 percent of British Columbians and 2.7 percent of Saskatchewan residents are at risk.
