April 28, 2005

Event is April 29 Workshop at SIUC focuses on gambling, substance abuse

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A one-day workshop later this week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will focus on gambling and substance abuse.

"From Theory to Practice in Addiction," will bring a variety of speakers to SIUC Friday, April 29. The sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Dunn-Richmond Economic Development Center, 150 E. Pleasant Hill Road, Carbondale.

The workshop is for any community members or students interested in learning more about gambling and substance abuse issues.

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Media Advisory

Reporters and photographers are encouraged to cover the sessions, and speakers will be available for interviews. For more information, contact the Rehabilitation Institute at 618/453-7704.

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The morning session focuses on pathological gambling addiction, while the afternoon session looks at substance abuse. Mark R. Dixon, an associate professor of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Rehabilitation Institute's Behavior Analysis and Therapy program, and professor John J. Benshoff, who coordinates the University's nationally recognized Rehabilitation Counselor Training Program are organizing the sessions.

The cost is $40 per person, and $10 for students. Proceeds go to the Rehabilitation Institute to develop further programs, said Dixon. Six hours of continuing education credit are available.

Dixon, Benshoff and graduate students in the Rehabilitation Counselor Training and Behavior Analysis Therapy programs have been offering an eight-week program for problem gamblers since January. The program also examines the role alcohol and drugs play in gambling addiction.

Six clients have completed or are nearing completion with the eight-week program, and none of them have gambled since entering the program, Dixon said.

The sessions are:

Pathological Gambling Addiction

  • 9-9:10 a.m. – Welcome from James Bordieri, director, SIUC's Rehabilitation Institute.
  • 9:10-10:15 a.m. – Symposium on Experimental Research Investigating the Causes of Pathological Gambling. The discussion looks at the physiological and neurological causes, in addition to the psychological and social causes with board certified associate behavior analysts, Jeffery Dillen, Jennifer Delaney, and Kimberly J. Moore, all of whom are research assistants in the Rehabilitation Institute.
  • 10:15-10:45 a.m. – Harrah's Commitment to Responsible Gambling: Dean Hestermann, corporate director of public affairs, Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
  • 11-11:30 a.m. – Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Pathological Gamblers at Southern Illinois University: Mark R. Dixon.
  • 11:30 a.m. to noon -- Resources for Pathological Gamblers: Sue Self, Director of Life Crisis Services; the service provider for Missouri's problem gambling helpline.

Substance Abuse

  • 1-1:45 p.m.—Substance Abuse and co-Morbid Gambling Problems. Hilary Estes, SIUC Rehabilitation Institute doctoral student.
  • 1:45-2:30 p.m. – Moral Model vs. the Medical/Rehabilitation Model: Trends and Applications. Sharon J. Davis and Zach Sneed, SIUC Rehabilitation Institute doctoral students.
  • 2:45-4 p.m. – Why Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities Provide Employment Related Services. Heather L. Brostrand and Bonna Machlan, SIUC Rehabilitation Institute doctoral students.
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