MICHAPG

Mission Statement: “To offer education, research, and prevention and treatment support to individuals and professionals surrounding the issues and challenges of problem gambling”

Definition of a Compulsive Gambler

“Pathological Gambling is a progressive behavior disorder in which an individual has a psychologically uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. This results in excessive gambling, the outcome of which is the loss of time and money. The gambling reaches the point at which it compromises, disrupts or destroys the gambler’s personal life, family, relationships or vocational pursuits. These problems in turn lead to intensification or vocational pursuits. These problems in turn lead to intensification of the gambling behavior. The cardinal features are emotional dependence on gambling, loss of control and interference with normal functioning.”

(Ohio Council On Problem Gambling).

Twenty Questions (Gamblers Anonymous)

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?

2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

3. Did gambling ever affect your reputation?

4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

5. Have you ever gambled to get money with which you had to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?

7. After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible to win back your loses?

8. After a win, did you have a strong urge to return to win more?

9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?

10. Have you ever borrowed to finance your gambling?

11. Have you ever sold anything to finance your gambling?

12. Were you reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenses?

13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of your self and family?

14. Did you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble?

15. Did you ever gamble longer than you intended?

16. Have you ever committed a crime or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?

17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?

18. Do arguments, disapointments or frustations create within you an urge to gamble?

19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune with a few hours of gambling?

20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of gambling?

If you or someone you know have answered yes

to seven or more of these questions,

please contact Michigan APG for more information

MICHAPG History

In October 2000, a group of concerned clinicians attended an NCPG conference in Philadelphia. They agreed that there was a need for an active state affiliate to the National Council on Problem Gambling. The first meeting of these clinicians was held on the 24th of February 2001 in Flint to pursue the plan to work closely with NCPG. This information was disseminated by NSO�s (Neighborhood Services Organization) through mass mailing to all the providers on their panel.

By December 2001, the clinicians adopted a new Mission Statement and Goals. The new name of the organization became the Michigan Association on Problem Gambling (MAPG). MAPG was registered within the county of Ingham. In January of 2002, one of the founding members, Patricia Sweeting developed a brochure for MAPG, which helped in creating the first few steps of giving MAPG its new identity in the community. This time, meetings were held in various places, but meetings were moved to the Livonia Counseling Center.

In March of 2002, MAPG registered with the State of Michigan. Group members continued to work on the internal and financial structure of the organization, such as projecting expenses, programs and vision. In May of the same year, the group worked on creating the By-Laws and was in the process of looking for a grant writer as well. In June 2002, they developed criteria for a Board of Directors and researched with interested clinician on the mailing list to participate.

In the following year, much work has been accomplished and MAPG is now registered, private non-profit organization. Also, a workshop was sponsored in 11-03. Officers, Board of Directors, and committees have been established and meetings have been held consistently in a private office in West Bloomfield area. The organization continues to grow with community support. Because of clinicians who are dedicated to provide education, training, supervision for other clinicians and the community. We are now the official affiliate agency to the National Council on Problem Gambling. In the future, we will be holding additional training events, educational activities and supporting research and other professional endeavors in the field of problem gambling.