Treatment and counseling
for compulsive gamblers
Gambling addiction is a progressive disease. In most people, it begins slowly and grows until the victim's life
becomes progressively unmanageable.
As repeated efforts to gain control over the addiction fail, life for the compulsive gambler begins to fall apart.
If the compulsive gambler could stop chasing losses, he would. All compulsive gamblers can stop gambling... for a
while. But most people need professional help to stop for life.
Some people can receive help without the interruption of Inpatient Rehabilitation treatment. They are able to enter
recovery through the help of an Outpatient Rehabilitation program. This type of program does not require patients to
take time off from work, leave their families or enter a hospital as an inpatient.
Outpatient Rehabilitation program
IIAR's Outpatient Rehabilitation program involves a series of meetings four nights a
week. These meetings feature lectures as well as group therapy. Each patient works with a counselor to develop an
individualized treatment plan. Service continues until the individual has mastered the basic skills for self-care and
ongoing recovery.
Family members also play an important role in Outpatient Rehabilitation. Families attend a separate counseling group
where they learn what compulsive gambling is and how they can support the patient's recovery. All patients and family
members are linked with the Gamblers Anonymous communities. Most family counseling services are included in the basic
cost of the Outpatient Rehabilitation program.
The Outpatient Rehabilitation program runs on a Monday through Thursday schedule. Meetings are held from 5 p.m. until
9 p.m. The Institute's program is based on a variable length of stay concept which tailors the length of treatment to
meet each individual's needs. Most patients are in the Outpatient program between four to six weeks. The program is
located in the Institute's Outpatient Department in the Counseling and Recovery Center.
The Outpatient Rehabilitation program is the best choice for compulsive gamblers who have not progressed beyond a
certain point in their addiction. Successful candidates most frequently include people who are employed, living with
a family, and demonstrate a history of medical stability. Another very important element is the ability to abstain
from gambling activity for at least two consecutive weeks. Individuals who have not had this consecutive abstinence
during the past three months are usually more appropriate for the Institute's Inpatient Rehabilitation program, where
the structure and stability of the hospital setting make recovery more obtainable.
How does someone get help?
The first step to recovery is finding out if you or someone you know has a problem. For a free and confidential
Pathological Gambling assessment, call the IIAR at (309) 691-1055 or 1-800-522-3784. A
Certified Addiction Counselor with specific training in the treatment of Pathological Gambling will perform a
professional assessment to identify if you have a problem, and then suggest an appropriate level of care in our
treatment and counseling programs. We provide assessments 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at no charge.
The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has centers at the following locations: