Training Calendar

At the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling’s 40th Anniversary Conference, we’ll continue to explore the ever-changing field of problem gambling, highlighting emerging trends and best practices in addressing at-risk and priority populations.

ADVOCACY & AWARENESS

Chris Hansford (Consumers For Digital Fairness) & Art Mongillo (CCPG) will look at how the rapidly changing landscape of gambling has affected advocacy and how it will potentially impact legislation in Connecticut.

We’ll also have a live podcast recorded at the conference, sharing the story of how Brian Hatch (All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast) and Jeff Wasserman (Delaware Council on Gambling Problems) found an impactful outlet and supportive community while searching for recovery and how it keeps them going.

PREVENTION & EDUCATION

With youth exposure to gambling increasing and more young people developing gambling issues, reaching young people with gambling education is more crucial than ever. Adrian Sladdin (Seventh Wave Training) will share his experience in developing a successful and adaptable youth gambling education program.

College years are associated with higher rates of risky behaviors, addiction and mental health issues. Recent studies show higher rates of problem gambling in 18-24 year-olds than the general public, in part due to the increasing availability and accessibility of gambling. Mike Buzzelli (Problem Gambling Network of Ohio) will discuss his work with Greek Life programs on college campuses and share tips and tools for program success and sustainability.

We’ll also be showcasing the work being done regionally around Connecticut, including an exciting new youth problem gambling prevention campaign.

TREATMENT

Videogaming is now firmly a part of the conversation when it comes to youth problem gambling and technology addiction. Parents and even gamers themselves are struggling to navigate the growing draw of videogaming and what to do when it becomes problematic. With Gaming Disorder being a newly recognized disorder, clinicians need to understand where to start when a client comes for treatment and what factors to consider to improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Nadja Streiter (GameQuitters) will help identify where the client falls on the continuum of disordered gaming, the range of motivations for gaming, and the role of the family in treatment.

Military veterans and active duty personnel are an at-risk population for gambling problems, with an estimated 56,000 active duty service members potentially meeting the criteria for gambling disorder. The prevalence of disordered gambling in the military is a serious health issue and poses a national security concern. Elina Stefanovics (Yale University School of Medicine) will present the risk factors, co-morbidities and treatment interventions for problem gambling among the population of U.S. veterans.

CULTURAL AWARENESS

Over the past year, the country has grappled with racial equity. It is important for clinicians to understand intergenerational trauma when treating problem gamblers and their families. Neva Pryor (Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey) will facilitate a workshop to equip participants with the necessary tools and education to help the clinician to honor their client’s history and current racial issues.

RECOVERY

Stephen Matos (MCCA) will moderate a panel of people in recovery from gambling disorder as well as family members/persons affected by another’s gambling. Panelists will share their moving stories of how problem gambling has impacted their lives, and attendees will learn about the multiple pathways to recovery and resources for help in Connecticut.

Registration includes: 2 days of training, 9 presentations from experts in field

CEUs Available: 8

Register here.