ACCG's Organizational Achievements
Established 24-hour Arizona HelpLine (800-777-7207)
Conducted the first accredited training program for gambling treatment
counselors in Arizona (1994)
Created a Code of Ethics for compulsive gambling counselors in Arizona
Affiliated with National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
Established a comprehensive website (www.azccg.org) that provides:
* Current GA/GamAnon meeting listings for Arizona cities
* Information on local/national inpatient treatment programs
* Contacts for local/statewide outpatient counseling
* How to determine if you are a compulsive gambler
* Articles about types of gamblers, gender differences, progression
and consequences of the addiction
* Links to specialized resources & support services
ACCG's Daily Accomplishments
Servicing ACCG's HelpLine (800-777-7207)
* 24/7/365 assistance to compulsive gamblers and their families
* Detailed information on GA/GamAnon meetings
* Referral to inpatient treatment and outpatient counseling
* Referral to OPG for casino self-exclusion
* Dissemination of information to media
* Referral to resources for legal, financial and other issues
Servicing two National HelpLines
* Answering 800-GAMBLER (NJ) from AZ Area Codes 24/7/365
* Answering 800-522-4700 (Nat'l) from AZ Area Codes 24/7/365
* Detailed information on GA/GamAnon meetings
* Referral to inpatient treatment and outpatient counseling
* Referral to OPG for casino self-exclusion
Servicing calls from outside Arizona and using the internet to find GA/GamAnon meetings, inpatient treatment/outpatient counseling providers, and other resources and support services in those local areas.
Referrals to inpatient treatment and outpatient counseling
* Matching callers with certified area providers
* Providing an overview of the counseling process
Supporting compulsive gamblers who have committed serious felonies
* Accompanying them to court appearances
* Educating defense attorneys about addiction-related crime
* Educating defendants on the need for professional evaluation, counseling,
GA, self-exclusion, letters of support
* Raising awareness of judges and prosecutors of gambling as an addiction
* Advocating for sentence mitigation/reduction
Educating the public sector
* Speaking at secondary schools, high schools; reaching out to parents
* Attending health fairs and community events
* Reaching out to seniors
* Advocating for gambling courts and diversion programs
Educating the private sector
* Raising awareness of the social and economic impact of compulsive
gambling on business enterprises
* Raising awareness of gambling-related white collar crime-fraud, forgery,
embezzlement, identity theft-and its effect on a company's bottom line
* Training management and employees to spot the warning signs and symptoms
of gambling addiction
* Supporting employees to seek help and treatment
Treatment currently available for Compulsive Gamblers in Arizona:
Professional Certified Counselors
Treatment Programs offered by the State of Arizona as well as private practice programs and hospitals are available.
Modified November 19, 2010