Affected by someone else's gambling?

Sometimes someone else’s gambling can affect the health and well-being of others. The gambling behaviour is often hidden and unexpected, while its effects can be confusing, stressful and long-lasting.  To help us identify if this is a factor in your own well-being could you answer the questions below to the best of your ability.

COGS Screen

1. Do you think you have been affected by someone else's gambling?
   - No, never (you need not continue further)
   - I don't know for sure
   - Yes, in the past
   - Yes, that's happening to me now
    
2. How would you describe the effect of that person's gambling on you now? (identify one or more)
   - I'm uncertain
   - I worry about it sometimes
   - I am nervous about it
   - It is affecting my health
   - It is hard to talk with anyone about it
   - I am concerned about my or my family's safety
   - It doesn't affect me anymore
    
3. When I think about it, gambling has sometimes caused me problems. (identify one or more)
   - I would like some information
   - I would like to talk about it in confidence with someone
   - I would like some support or help
   - Nothing at this stage

Scoring Guide:

This is an awareness-raising questionnaire that allows a person affected by another's gambling to indicate what assistance they desire. Problem gambling centres work with the person affected by gambling as fully and seriously as the gamblers themselves.

• A 'Yes' to any one of the last three responses to the first question identifies that the person may be adversely affected by another's gambling.
• Question two provides an opportunity for the person to think of ways in which they are currently affected by the gambling of someone close to them.
• Responses to question three can be followed up as necessary through contacting one of our centres.

> Click here for more information on our range of services
> Find a Problem Gambling Centre location near you

COGS (Concerned Others' Gambling Screen)
Developed by Dr Sean Sullivan, Abacus Counselling & Training Services Ltd, www.acts.co.nz

Gam-Anon 

Gam-Anon is a 12 Step self-help fellowship of men and women who have been affected by the gambling problem of a loved one. We understand as perhaps few can. We are familiar with worry and sleepless nights and promises made only to be broken. (Gam-Anon is an international practice. For more info click here)

The message of Gam-Anon is: Come join with us. We too were alone, afraid, and unable to cope with the deterioration in our relationships, the financial problems, and the debt caused by the gambling problem. We know that living with the effects of a loved one's gambling can be too devastating to bear without help.

Through Gam-Anon we find our way back to a normal way of thinking and living whether or not our loved ones continue to gamble.

If a gambling problem is affecting your life, you may find help at a Gam-Anon meeting. Meetings are every first and third Monday of the month at 7pm.

Mt Eden Village Centre
449 Mount Eden Rd - cnr Mt Eden Road & Ngauruhoe St  (entrance through 3rd door on Ngauruhoe St)

Contact Oasis Auckland ((09) 638 0801, Auckland_Oasis@nzf.salvationarmy.org) for any further details