Gambling: The Hidden Addiction Peer Support Specialist Training
A Program to Provide Training for Peer Support Specialists Working with Peers Affected by Gambling Disorder
This 4-part course provides peer support specialists with: an introduction to gambling disorder and corresponding risk factors and warning signs; a recognition of the co-occurrence of substance use, mental health disorders, and gambling disorder; an understanding of the experience of gambling disorders for the individual and their loved ones; and an application of recovery as it relates to gambling disorders. The individual modules which compose this package are as follows:
Module 1: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning: Introduction to gambling disorder
Module 2: Playing the Whack-A-Mole Game: Substance use & mental health disorders
Module 3: It’s About Connection: What you need to know about your consumer & their loved ones
Module 4: Putting it Together: Talkin’ recovery
Instructor: Jodie Nealley, MS
Jodie has a B.A. from St. Lawrence University, a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University and is a graduate of the UMass/Boston Addiction Counselor Education Program. Jodie joined the MA Council on Gaming & Health in the Fall of 2012 where she works as the Outreach & Recovery Support Coordinator in the Programs department. Her responsibilities include assisting in the delivery of gambling related trainings aimed at capacity building for providers, serve as primary liaison for recovery initiatives and information, present trainings as needed to special populations & to manage the 24/7 Helpline. She most recently received the NCPG Jeff Beck Recovery Ambassador award.
Target Audience
This intermediate level course is for Peer Support Specialists. NC Certified Peer Support Specialist who complete this course, and who meet other eligibility criteria, may apply to become a NC Problem Gambling Peer Support Services Provider.
Modality
This course consists of 4 online self-paced modules, each approximately 1 hour in length. Participants must complete all four modules in order to receive a certificate of completion for the course.
Module 1: Let’s Start at the Very Beginning: Introduction to gambling disorder
This introductory training is aimed to raise awareness and increase knowledge of peer support specialists of the warning signs, risk factors and fallacies of problematic gambling.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss history and development of the problem gambling
- Review and discuss research reports of prevalence rates with respect to problem gambling
- Review stages, signs, symptoms, and progression of problem gambling
- Explain risk factors associated with gambling disorders
- Explain the ‘Gambler’s Fallacy'
Module 2: Playing the Whack-A-Mole Game: Substance use & mental health disorders
This training will explore gambling disorder in relation to other mental health issues. We will discuss the similarities and differences of gambling disorder with substance abuse and mental health disorders and the various challenges in of this disorder in your work with consumers.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Describe similarities and differences with substance use and mental health disorders
- Explain the connection between gambling disorder and other mental health issues
- Discuss trauma and suicidality
Module 3: It’s About Connection: What you need to know about your consumer & their loved ones
This training will explore how to understand consumers who may have a gambling disorder. It will explain the role of family involvement in recovery, raise awareness about vulnerable populations and explain the relationship of money and finances to those with a gambling disorder.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss what you as Peer Support Specialist need to know when working with consumers who may have a gambling disorder.
- Discuss what you as a peer support specialist need to know when working with a consumer who may have a gambling disorder
- Discuss the role of money in understanding gambling disorder
- Describe ways those with a gambling disorder view money
- Understand how to identify a potential gambling disorder in a household
- Discuss the family and loved ones – how gambling disorder impacts them, how they can help, the role finances play in supporting the one with a gambling disorder, the factors in the financial recovery plan
- Determine the family’s involvement in recovery
Module 4: Putting it Together: Talkin’ recovery
This training will discuss the role of recovery, the concepts of recovery capital, recovery-oriented system of care and recovery supports. We will learn how to integrate these supports into the lives of your consumers.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss the role of language and stigma.
- Explain recovery-oriented systems of care and recovery capital
- Identify and explain recovery support services
- Explain recovery supports and integration strategies
- Identify resources for assessment, referrals and resources.
- Identify recovery meetings and resources in their regions and describe similarities and differences with other 12-step style meetings
- Gain an understanding of best practices in gambling recovery and referral and become familiar with how to assist consumers with recovery supports.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
This course does NOT offer continuing education credit for NC LCMHC through The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work’s approval by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6642.
Social workers completing this course will receive 4 hours of continuing education credits approved by NASW-NC. Approval#: A-364-152022
This course is approved by the North Carolina Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board (22-063-S) for 4 SS contact hours.
POLICIES & ADA ACCESSIBILITY
If you require any of the auxiliary aids or services identified in the Americans with Disabilities Act in order to participate in this program, please call us at (919) 843-6083, or e-mail us at bhs-support@unc.edu. Websites and courses have been developed in compliance of US Section 508 standards where applicable or meeting W3C priority 1 guidelines for web accessibility.
Please contact bhs-support@unc.edu with any questions or concerns regarding this course.
Course Evaluation and Certificate of Completion
Upon finishing each module, participants will be directed to complete and pass a post-test (passing score is 80%). Once completing all four modules and post-tests in this course, participants will receive a certificate indicating completion of the course. A .pdf version of the Certificate of Completion can be generated by participants to save or print.
