Restructuring debt and psycho-correction support: Ukraine plans to endorse social assistance for gambling dependents

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Stepping into the realm of addressing compulsive gambling, Olga Isaeva, head of the public union "Responsible Gambling Center," unveils a new standard designed to aid individuals struggling with this issue. Developed by a team of experts over a year, this ambitious standard is slated for approval by the Ministry of Social Policy.

The document will set tariffs for services, identify professional service providers, and construct a training system for social workers. The journey to recovery will span a maximum of one year, followed by post-program support. The standard organizes a general mechanism for providing services and standardizes numerous details.

Upon seeking help at a structural unit for social protection, an individual can expect initial testing, an interview, and a tailored work plan based on their personal information. A contract is signed with the individual, ensuring confidentiality and consent.

The approach to assist these individuals can encompass individual, family, or group psychological correction work. Methods may span cognitive-behavioral therapy, gestalt, psychodrama, and more - each tailored to the individual's needs. Enhancing social skills and integrating back into society, as well as family support, are also priorities.

The standard consists of five stages: diagnosis, motivation formation, psychological correction, social adaptation, and support. Konstantin Aymedov, head of the medical department at RGC, emphasizes, "Help should be comprehensive."

Beyond a psychologist and social worker, an individual may require a lawyer and financial consultant. Debt management plays a substantial role in reducing stress and the risk of problematic behavior, with an average debt sum of 300-400 thousand UAH among patients seeking help.

In the broader gambling industry news, a support center for individuals with gambling addiction has debuted in Ukraine. This intervention champions a comprehensive approach, leaning on overlapping principles and components from conventional addiction treatment methods worldwide:

Stages of Treatment: Assessment, detoxification, intensive therapy, support and maintenance, and long-term recovery.
Available Professionals: Psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and support group leaders.
Support Mechanisms: Clinical care, community support groups, and public awareness campaigns.

Ukraine's emergence in addressing mental health issues unconventionally, such as PTSD through ketamine therapy, suggests a readiness to explore innovative solutions in mental health care - potentially including gambling addiction treatment. Collaboration between healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations is paramount for an all-encompassing system to take shape in Ukraine.

The new standard for addressing gambling issues, as outlined by Olga Isaeva, includes a provision for professional finance consultants to assist individuals in debt management during their recovery, given the significant roles debt can play in exacerbating problematic behavior.
The comprehensive gambling addiction treatment support center in Ukraine, part of a broader move towards innovative mental health care, follows the classic stages of treatment including assessment, detoxification, intensive therapy, support and maintenance, and long-term recovery.
This support center is also staffed with a variety of professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, and support group leaders, ready to provide the necessary mental health services for individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
In line with the standard for rehabilitation, the journey towards recovery from gambling addiction is organized into five stages: diagnosis, motivation formation, psychological correction, social adaptation, and support, mirroring the stages found in conventional addiction treatment methods.
The standard document for addressing gambling addiction is not limited to personal-finance advice as it also aims to improve health-and-wellness, including mental health outcomes through techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy, gestalt, psychodrama, and enhancing social skills.
The gambling addiction treatment support center underlines the importance of continuous post-program support once an individual completes the one-year rehabilitation program, signifying the ongoing nature of their recovery process and the commitment to their long-term well-being.