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ChannelNews
Asia, 14 Nov 04
More
gambling addicts seeking treatment: IMH
By Wong
Siew Ying
Doctors say more people are seeking help for gambling addiction and
other problems associated with gambling. The Institute of Mental Health
says the number of such addicts seeking counselling have jumped 8
times, compared to two years ago.
Our reporter speaks to a recovering addict "John", who does not wish
to be identified. Five days a week and 6 hours at a stretch, "John"
receives treatment and counselling at the addiction clinic at IMH.
It all started 16 years ago when his friends taught him to play mahjong.
Years later, he moved on to card games and soccer betting with illegal
bookies. The more he gambled, the more he lost.
"JOHN" said: "Each pay day, I will go to the casinos. Every time I
lost, when I reached home I go into depression because I know this
month I'll have a lot of pressure from people, from banks and friends
asking for payment which I am not able to pay them."
Faced with a S$200,000 debt and strained family relations, "John"
who's in his 30s, attempted suicide not once, but thrice. "John" has
not placed a single bet since he started treatment two months ago
but admits it'll be struggle if there's a casino in Singapore.
He said: "If you set up a place in Sentosa, it's so accessible, everybody
can go there, the thought of a casino so near your place may lead
to a lot of people quitting their job, thinking that they can just
visit there everyday just to earn a few hundred dollars."
Tony Ong, Senior Social Worker, Fei Yue Family Service Centre, said:
"Some people may be on the brink of debt, and as a quick means to
earn that extra buck to get out of their problem, they may try their
luck in the casino and that may not exactly be helpful."
Eight new patients turn up every month to seek treatment for their
gambling problem at the IMH, compared to just one, two years ago.
Dr R Munidasa Winslow, Head Consultant Psychiatrist, Community Addiction
Management Programme, said: "To me the most worry part about it is
not that the gambler destroys his own lives with his gambling, but
very often the gambler tends to be the bread winners or people with
importance in family life, and when they go down, they also bring
down the family with them." And he hopes a National Addiction Centre
can be set up in Singapore.
Doctors and counsellors say there must be a comprehensive programme
to educate people about the problems associated with gambling and
intervention programmes to identify those susceptible to addiction.
- CNA
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