Problem Gamblers and Their Finances

MFT / LCSW

5.50 - CE credit hours training

$33.00 - Cost of course

This page contains important information about the course, including training details, a comprehensive course description, learning objectives, and source references. We encourage you to review each section to gain a clear understanding of the course content, educational goals, and supporting materials before beginning your training and taking the POST TEST below.

Target audience and instructional level of this course: foundational
There is no known conflict of interest or commercial support related to this CE program.

Course Training

Follow the link below, read the material and then take the 20 question post test

Read the Course Material:
Problem Gamblers and Their Finances

Post Test

20 Questions

1. Treatment professionals with a psychological background state that gambling is not merely a "financial problem." It is a chronic, progressive behavior disorder.

a. True b. False

2. Problem gambling experts recommend that a gambler's financial problems not be addressed until the gambler recognizes that he or she has a gambling problem, has abstained from betting for an appropriate period of time for at least 30 days and has begun to address the underlying psychological disorder.

a. True b. False

3. Problem gamblers are less likely than the general population to commit crimes such as theft, embezzlement, writing bad checks, or prostitution to pay for their habit.

a. True b. False

4. Preoccupation with gambling, betting increasingly larger amounts to achieve, the same feeling of excitement and repeated unsuccessful efforts to stop gambling are a few signs of a problem gambler.

a. True b. False

5. Problem gamblers are less likely to experience problems with drinking, drug abuse, or addictive sex.

a. True b. False

6. The winning stage eventually turns into the losing stage and at this stage the gambler is content with his life so he finds it easy to quit gambling.

a. True b. False

7. Problem gambling is sometimes called a "hidden" disease&ndashhidden from those around the gambler, sometimes even hidden from the gambler himself or herself.

a. True b. False

8. The suspected gambler is only able to afford minimum payments on credit card bills is a warning sign of a problem gambler.

a. True b. False

9. Counselors should ask the gambler to list his or her creditors and how much they are owed.

a. True b. False

10. Refusing bailouts not only slows or stops the financial bleeding, but may force the problem gambler to finally confront his or her addiction.

a. True b. False

11. At a personal level gamblers are more likely to

a. Have successful relationships b. Lose their jobs, be demoted or be unemployed c. Depend on welfare d. B and C

12. Families with a problem gambler are more likely to experience

a. Divorce, domestic violence and child abuse. b. A happy family life c. Successful relationships d. None of the above

13. The stage in which an individual discovers that gambling is exciting, social, and perhaps sees it as a way to escape the stress of work, family, or loneliness is known as

a. The winning stage b. The losing stage c. The denial stage d. The acceptance stage

14. During the losing stage the gambler

a. Maxes out credit cards b. Sells personal property c. Cashes in insurance policies d. All of the above

15. A sign of a problem gambler is

a. He or she is organizing or taking an excessive interest in office pools. b. He or she refuses to take cash advances with the company credit card. c. He or she catches other embezzling or stealing money. d. All of the above

16. Actions to help the gambler reduce his financial problems include

a. Establishing a spending plan b. Shifting control of the finances to a non gambler in the family. c. Allowing the gambler to spend how much money he or she wants, in order to get the habit out of his system. d. A and B

17. Recovery can only come from

a. Abstaining from gambling and, ideally, going through a therapeutic program. b. Allowing the gambler to gamble away his money c. Stopping the gambler from leaving his or her house by any means necessary d. All of the above

18. To ensure that the gambler does not use credit cards or secret stashes of money to gamble, counselors should suggest that the spouse

a. Starts with a joint credit report b. Confronts the gambler on day 1 c. Hides money from the gambler d. B and C

19. To get the gambler's financial life under control, he or she will need

a. An extra credit card for emergencies b. A realistic spending plan c. Access to unrestricted money d. None of the above

20. A spouse, partner or close loved one should

a. Restrict the gambler's access to money b. Never restrict the gambler's access to money, instead look for other ways to help the gambler. c. Hide money from the gambler. d. A and C.

Course Description

Problem Gamblers and Their Finances

<!--

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//PGKIT-07/PGKIT-07-02.pdf

-->

Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration

Course Description

This training provides information on screening, assessment, referral, and treatment for problem gambling to substance abuse counselors, mental health therapists, primary care physicians, and social workers. Discusses financial issues and strategies.

Learning Objectives

Problem Gamblers and Their Finances

<!--

http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//PGKIT-07/PGKIT-07-02.pdf

-->

Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, the participant will be able to:

Integrate the underlying personality dynamics in assessing pathological gambling.
Explain the importance of looking at the entire psychosocial environment when assessing pathological gambling.
Identify specific learning interventions for pathological gamblers in treatment.
Develop a therapeutic cognitive approach in dealing with a pathological gambler.
Identify significant psychological factors in the development of a gambling disorder.

Source

William L. Anthes, Ph.D., President
Brent A. Neiser, CFP, Director of Collaborative Programs
Jeannette Herreria, Project Manager
National Endowment for Financial Education

MFT / LCSW