Irish authority on gambling, GRAI, initiates support program for individuals struggling with gambling dependency
The Gambling and Gaming Specific Outpatient Programme, a Collaborative Effort to Curb Gambling Addiction in Ireland
Last week marked the official debut of the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI). This new authority has hit the ground running, with immediate steps taken to combat gambling addiction within the country, launching a support program for those afflicted.
This innovative program, christened the Gambling and Gaming Specific Outpatient Programme, is fully funded by the regulatory authority GRAI and works in tandem with the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland's health service. The program offers specialized support to those battling gambling addiction.
Comprising a ten-week treatment, participants will engage in group sessions, attend psychoeducational seminars, and receive individual counseling. A thoughtfully designed aftercare system will also be in place to deter relapses.
The Gambling and Gaming Specific Outpatient Programme caters exclusively to individuals aged 18 and above. Unfortunately, minors with gambling issues are currently ineligible for participation in the program. The program will be managed by the Rutland Centre in Knocklyon, County Dublin.
Ireland's Alarming Gambling Habits: An Urgent Call for Help
Given the recent announcement by the GRAI stressing their initial focus on player protection and combating gambling addiction, the grim statistics from the Irish Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) draw particular attention.
The ESRI study revealed that approximately 130,000 people in Ireland exhibited harmful gambling behaviors. A startling 279,000 more adults demonstrated indications of problematic gambling. This research further exposed that gambling addicts spent an average of €1,000 per month on gambling, with those under 50 years old being at the highest risk. It also showed that men were more susceptible than women.
Extended Support: Family Matters
But help for gambling addicts doesn't stop at the individual level. Relatives of gambling addicts are also welcomed into this program. The goal is to provide these family members with the tools to build stability and mend relationships.
The GRAI has additionally detailed further aspects of the program designed to help those struggling with gambling addiction. Throughout each week, online seminars touch on crucial topics such as addiction awareness, emotional management, and relapse prevention. Individual counseling sessions are also offered on a biweekly basis, tailored to address participants' specific needs.
The program's ultimate aim is to empower participants to reclaim control over their lives and recognize and break harmful patterns. Structured support in groups facilitates this process, aiming to foster a supportive environment where individuals can cultivate new, healthy habits.
What will the Gambling and Gaming Specific Outpatient Programme offer in Dublin, announced by GRAI to combat gambling addiction in Ireland? The program, managed by the Rutland Centre, will cater to individuals aged 18 and above and will provide ten weeks of group sessions, psychoeducational seminars, individual counseling, and an aftercare system. Scientific research has shown an urgent need for such a program, with the ESRI revealing that approximately 130,000 people in Ireland exhibit harmful gambling behaviors, and 279,000 more adults demonstrate problematic habits. The program doesn't just focus on individual help but extends support to relatives of gambling addicts as well, aiming to build stability and mend relationships. Online seminars on addiction awareness, emotional management, and relapse prevention will be conducted weekly, along with biweekly individual counseling sessions to address participants' specific needs. The overarching goal of this health-and-wellness and mental-health initiative is to empower participants to reclaim control over their lives and recognize and break harmful patterns.
