International Problem Gambling Center

“As the largest intensive outpatient program in the state of nevada, the mission of the dr. Robert hunter international problem gambling center is two-fold. Foremost, our objective is to provide evaluation and individual and group counseling services to those persons affected with a gambling addiction as well as their family and friends, regardless of their ability to provide payment. Secondly, it is our intention to educate the community and industry leaders about the debilitating addiction that is problem gambling.”

“FORM 990 PART III, LINE 4A - INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM DR. ROBERT HUNTER INTERNATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING CENTER LAS VEGAS OFFERS ITS SERVICES TO ALL CLARK COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO SUFFER FROM A GAMBLING PROBLEM. THE INITIAL SCREENINGS AND ASSESSMENTS ARE PERFORMED BY STATE CERTIFIED PROBLEM GAMBLING COUNSELORS OR INTERNS USING GAMBLING SPECIFIC ASSESSMENT CRITERIA. IF IT IS DETERMINED THE INDIVIDUAL MEETS THE CRITERIA FOR A COMPULSIVE GAMBLER, HE/SHE WILL BE ENTERED INTO THE INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM (IOP). PGC'S TREATMENT APPROACH INCORPORATES THREE INTERRELATED COMPONENTS. ALL OF THESE COMPONENTS EMPHASIZE COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY (CBT), AN APPROACH CITED IN THE RESEARCH LITERATURE AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE STRATEGY FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING TREATMENT (NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL, 1999). EDUCATION IS THE FIRST COMPONENT OF TREATMENT. DURING THESE SESSIONS, COUNSELORS PRESENT THE PATIENT WITH THE MOST RECENT SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE IN ORDER TO BETTER UNDERSTAND AND COMBAT THIS DISORDER. IN PARTICULAR, ADVANCES IN MEDICAL, GENETIC, AND SOCIETAL RESEARCH ARE EMPHASIZED. THE SECOND COMPONENT, COUNSELING, ALLOWS PROBLEM GAMBLERS ACCESS TO STATE CERTIFIED COUNSELORS AND INTERNS. THE COUNSELING PROGRAM TEACHES PATIENTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND TO ORGANIZE THEIR LIVES IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER. IT ALSO FOCUSES ON PRACTICAL STRATEGIES TO AVOID SUCCUMBING TO URGES TO GAMBLE. THE FINAL COMPONENT EMPHASIZES COGNITIVE - BEHAVIORAL THERAPY DIRECTLY, AND FOCUSES ON CHANGING THOUGHTS AND BEHAVIOR. PROBLEM GAMBLERS ARE TAUGHT NOT ONLY ABOUT AN ALTERNATIVE WAY OF BEHAVING, BUT ALSO AN APPROACH TO CHANGING THE THOUGHT PROCESSES WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR ADDICTION. THESE THREE COMPONENTS ARE INCORPORATED INTO AN "INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM" (IOP). THE SIX-WEEK PROGRAM CONSISTS OF FOUR 3-HOUR SESSIONS A WEEK. THE OUTPATIENT MODEL ALLOWS PATIENTS TO CONTINUE TO WORK AND LIVE THEIR LIVES, BUT WITHIN A STRUCTURED AND PROVEN SYSTEM OF CARE. THE TREATMENT GOALS ARE TO: o ENABLE THE INDIVIDUAL TO STOP GAMBLING o STRENGTHEN THE INDIVIDUAL'S SELF-ESTEEM o AID IN DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF GRATIFICATION AND RECREATION o HELP THE INDIVIDUAL TO ACCEPT THE NEED TO MAKE RESTITUTION, AND ASSIST WITH PLANS TO MAKE RESTITUTION RELAPSE PREVENTION PROGRAM PGC HAS DEVELOPED A CLINICALLY EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION TO PREVENT PROBLEM GAMBLERS FROM RELAPSING. THE PGC RELAPSE PREVENTION PROGRAM IS AN ON-GOING MODULE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL APPROACH TO TREATMENT INTERVENTION FOR CLIENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED IOP. THE FRAMEWORK IS BASED ON THE CONCEPT THAT RELAPSE IS A PROCESS INVOLVING BOTH OVERT AND SUBTLE SHIFTS IN A CLIENTS' ATTITUDE, BEHAVIORS, AND CHOICES THAT MOVE THEM PROGRESSIVELY CLOSER TO GAMBLING AGAIN. THE RELAPSE PROCESS IS A PROGRESSIVE CHAIN REACTION GENERALLY TRIGGERED BY NEGATIVE FEELINGS AND/OR STRESSORS. THE GOAL OF THE MODULE IS TO HELP CLIENTS IDENTIFY AND PROCESS THESE NEGATIVE FEELINGS AND ENGAGE IN RECOVERY ACTIVITIES BEFORE THE RELAPSE OCCURS. THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT IS TO INCREASE ABSTINENCE RATE AMONG PROBLEM GAMBLERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE MORE VULNERABLE TO RELAPSE. RESEARCH SHOWS ETHNIC MINORITY GROUPS THAT RELAPSE APPEAR TO BE PRIMARILY INFLUENCED BY FAMILY MEMBERS OR PEER GROUPS WHO GAMBLED. OUR PROGRAM INCLUDES INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP COUNSELING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS AND CONCERNED OTHERS TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC CULTURAL PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES AS THEY RELATE DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY TO PROBLEM GAMBLING BEHAVIOR AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY. THE PROGRAM WORKS THROUGH THEIR SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, FOCUSING ON INTRAPERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS OF FAMILY MEMBERS. FOR OUR CLIENTS WHO HAVE COMPLETED THE RELAPSE PREVENTION PROGRAM, 95.2% OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MAINTAINED ABSTINENCE FROM GAMBLING. THE SUCCESS RATE IS SO HIGH DUE TO THE FACT THAT PGC COUNSELORS REQUIRE AT LEAST TWO RECOVERY ENCOUNTERS PER MONTH; INCLUDING GAMBLERS ANO”

“Form 990 part iii, line 4b - awareness anyone can be a problem gambler. Your neighbor, your doctor, your coach, maybe even your mothter. Our awareness program helps others learn the signs and talk about this addiction that lives in the same part of the brain as alcohol and narcotic addiction. And to become aware of the resources available for help.”

“The form 990 is reviewed by the executive director prior to filing.”

“Compensation for the executive director and clinical director is discussed and voted on by all board members.”

“Compensation for the executive director and clinical director is discussed and voted on by all board members.”