Sources of Help

Contact Information for Bettor Choice Programs

You can speak with a gambling counselor or find the nearest Bettor Choice Program, by dialing 860.344.2244. Or you can call one of the programs listed below. When you call, make sure to specify that you are looking for gambling help and information.

POSITIVE DIRECTIONS
Bob Vietro
420 Post Road, West
Westport, CT 06880
Tel: 203-227-7644

CONNECTICUT RENAISSANCE
Melodie Keen
83 Wall Street
Norwalk, CT 06850
Tel: 203-866-2541
Services also available in Stamford

REGIONAL NETWORK OF PROGRAMS
Tom Creed or Ron Lovelette
480 Bond Street
Bridgeport, CT 06610
Tel: 203-366-5817

PROBLEM GAMBLING SERVICES
John Sidoli, David Spalding and Walter Miller
CVH, P. O. Box 351, Russell Hall
Middletown, CT 06457
Tel: 860-344-2244
Services also available in New Haven and Old Saybrook

UNITED COMMUNITY & FAMILY SERVICES
Cheryl Molina
47 Town Street, Meadows Plaza
Norwich, CT 06360
Tel: 860-823-3094
Services also available in Putnam & New London

WHEELER CLINIC
Pat Devendorf and Scott Guay
Hartford Office
645 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
Tel: 860-523-9788
Services also available in Plainville

MCCA OUTPATIENT COUNSELING CENTER
Jim Crean
38 Old Ridgebury Road
Danbury, CT 06810
Tel: 203-733-4524
Services also available in Middlebury

MCCALL FOUNDATION
58 High Street
Torrington, CT 06790
Tel: 860-496-2105

MORRIS FOUNDATION
Jeremy Wampler
402 East Main Street
Waterbury, CT 06705
Tel: 203-755-1143 ext. 340
Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About Help for Problem Gambling

Help for problem gambling is much like help for other emotional and behavioral health problems such as alcoholism and substance abuse. There are a number of options from which to choose including spiritual counseling, sharing your problem with a trusted friend, self-change books, self-help groups, on-line workbooks, medication and professional counseling. Which ones are right for you depends on your situation, including the severity of your problem and your past experiences at changing behavior. Many problem gamblers, especially those with legal problems and/or large debts, find that self-help and/or professional treatment are needed.

The self-help group for problem gamblers is Gamblers Anonymous (G.A.) and GamAnon is for family members. At the meetings of these fellowships members with similar problems and goals share wisdom and support according to a model developed over 70 years ago by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous. GA and Gam Anon meetings are free and open to anyone who has a sincere desire to address gambling related problems.

Professional treatment can be provided by many kinds of helping professionals including social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and other types of counselors. If you choose professional help, we recommend that you find a therapist who has successfully helped others dealing with gambling problems.

Some individuals choose one or the other form of help, and many find that both self-help and counseling are essential for personal recovery from problem gambling.

For more information about self-help and professional counseling see the section “About Recovery”.

This site includes a self-guided workbook for problem gamblers. “Put Choice Back in Your Life” (PDF, 1.7mb), is designed to help you make decisions about your gambling. It works by first helping you to fully understand problem gambling and its consequences. “Put Choice Back in Your Life” (PDF, 1.7mb) then helps you decide what to do about the problem and provides information on sources of help.

Under contruction is a second on-line option: a ten part self-guided workbook. It too provides a section to help you evaluate your gambling, then guides you step by step through a process of regaining control over your own life.

You may want to try one option (self-help, counseling or workbooks) before another. There is no one right way to proceed, but if you are having debt or legal problems as a result of your gambling, then we recommend either GA, or professional counseling from an experienced program or counselor. In our experience no problem is so great that you cannot get through it if you have the right help. In most cases, even overwhelming financial problems can be made more manageable.

To find help if you live out-side Connecticut check out the National Council on Problem Gambling’s web-site www.ncpgambling.org. There you can find out about local resources, including treatment programs and certified problem gambling counselors.

www.gamblersanonymous.org is the official web-site for Gamblers Anonymous. Use it to locate meetings near you.

Gam Anon information can be found at www.Gam-Anon.org

If you live in Connecticut call the Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-346-6238 for information about the treatment options in your area. The Helpline provides referrals to state-funded treatment programs at 16 sites across Connecticut. These programs serve individuals, couples and families affected by problem gambling regardless of their ability to pay for treatment. Since financial problems are very common, many clients pay little or nothing for treatment.

State-funded treatment services include The Bettor Choice Programs. Bettor Choice services are offered at 12 sites across Connecticut at Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, Middlebury, New London, Norwalk, Norwich, Plainville, Putnam, Stamford Torrington, Waterbury, Westport. These programs offer individual counseling and other services, such as groups, debt management counseling and couples counseling. For Bettor Choice contact information click here.

In New Haven, Middletown, Seymour and Old Saybrook treatment services are provided by the State of Connecticut’s Problem Gambling Services at (860) 344-2244 or toll free at (866) 440-4375. Services include group and individual counseling, couples and family counseling, debt management counseling, psychiatric evaluation and treatment, and “peer” counseling from problem gamblers and family members in recovery.

Some services are offered at no cost. Other services are billed based on ability to pay. When you call, a counselor will answer your questions about fees and billing.