Description
Project is built on a comprehensive approach to the issue of behavioral addictions. It consists in therapeutic offer for people addicted from games of chance, co-addicted people, and children of different ages. Additionally, trainers specializing in behavioral addiction prevention and treatment will be educated, and capacity building and communication measures will be undertaken. The following tasks will be included: integrated psychotherapy for gamblers (30 persons), their loved ones and families (30 persons), advisory support for addicted people and their families, focused on legal and financial aspects , school for trainers of behavioral addiction prevention and treatment for people specializing in addiction therapy, physicians, prevention experts, students doing courses related to health care, with the purpose to help them introduce a new technique to their work with patients (30 persons), prevention and communication activities, and finally, development strategy of the Krakow Medical Association will be drafted and staff training will be carried out.
Summary of project results
"The Center of Public Opinion Research research from the years 2011-2012 indicates that over 50,000 persons are addicted to gambling games (low stake slot machines, betting in casinos) and 200,000 is at risk of addiction. Less than 10% of pathological gamers apply for help. It follows also from the fact that there are only few places, which offer help free of charge. An addiction is damaging not only for a gambler, but also for his/her family members. As a result, apart from the addicted persons, also their partners and children need therapeutic help. The goal of the project was to counteract exclusion of persons addicted from gambling, Internet and other activities through creating a therapeutic offer for the addicted and the co-addicted people and through educating couches of prevention and behavioral addiction therapy. 34 addicted persons, who took part in the project declare the will to continue the therapy and to restrain from the addicting activities, and to make order in their own and their families' life situation. 15 co-addicts have learned how to deal with an addicted person, how to cope with lack of trust and overcontrol. The Anonymous Gamblers group was founded. 30 graduates of a school for couches have obtained knowledge on psychopathology, prevention and behavioral addictions therapy. A group therapy for 34 addicted (groups of 6 - 10 persons, in total 140 hours) was run and individual therapy for 49 persons: 34 addicted men (in total 643 hours psychotherapy) and 15 co-addicted women (mothers, wives, partners; in total 85 hours of psychotherapy). 7 persons benefited from legal counseling (in total 40 hours). A school for couches on prevention and behavioral addictions therapy was organized in a form of 9 two-day conventions (9 hours every day) for 30 interested professionals. 49 persons have completed therapy: 34 addicted men and 15 of co-addicted women from Małopolskie Voivodeship; a school for couches was completed by 30 persons from whole Poland: 19 addiction therapists, 5 court officers of probation, 4 social aid employees and 2 psychology students."
Summary of bilateral results