Treatment Professionals

The focus of our treatment professionals site is to improve clinical services for gamblers and their loved ones seeking treatment by contributing to the professional development of clinicians. We provide information, guidance and resources to help health and welfare professionals identify people with problem gambling issues and effectively respond to their needs.

If you need to refer your client to a gambling treatment professional in California, please call 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) or text the word ‘support’ to 53342. The lines are answered immediately by a master’s level or above counselor, 24/7/365, and assistance is free and confidential. Translation services are available in more than 240 languages, and referral services are available throughout the entire state of California.

Or you can become a California Certified Gambling Counselor yourself! View the CCGC requirements below and get certified.

Education

Counseling

Helping the Gambler and Family Members

Helping the Gambler

For many people, gambling can be a great form of entertainment, but for some it can lead to serious problems.

Here are some things you should know about gambling addiction:

  • Gambling addiction is a disease which can affect anyone, but doesn’t affect everyone
  • People with a gambling problem may spend money they can’t afford to lose
  • People with gambling problems might spend excessive amounts of time gambling
  • A gambling problem can affect many parts of someone’s life, including school, work, friendships, family relationships, and/or hobbies
  • With the right information and help, anyone can overcome gambling problems
     

There is information on all the below topics, and much more on our Problem Gamblers page!

  • Other Treatment for Problem Gambling
  • Do I Have to Stop Gambling Completely?
  • Start Making Changes
  • Controlling Your Debt
  • Talking to Your Children

Helping the Family Member

Problem gamblers often need the support of their family and friends to help them in their struggle to stop gambling, but the decision to quit must be theirs. As much as you may wish it was possible, neither you nor their loved one can force someone to stop gambling against their will.

Get a better understanding of the families’ problem by visiting the Affected Families site to view information like:

  • Explaining Why Some People Have Gambling Problems
  • Why Can’t They Just Stop?
  • Coping with a Loved One’s Problem
  • Supporting a Problem Gambler
  • Do’s and Don’ts
  • How to Help Themselves