Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Links to Substance Use Disorders & Mental Health in Kenya.
ISSUP Kenya presents its webinar on Understanding Gambling Addiction and Its Links to Substance Use Disorders & Mental Health in Kenya.
The webinar discusses the current trends in gambling and substance use disorders (SUDs) in Kenya, their implications for health, treatment interventions, and the sharing of lived experiences.
The subject matter is gambling disorder—a behavioral addiction characterized by an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite harmful consequences to one’s personal, social, or financial well-being. Gambling addiction and substance use disorder (SUD) are closely related in several important ways. Both are classified as addictive disorders and share similar biological, psychological, and social mechanisms. Understanding this nexus forms an intersection in interventions.
Target Audience:
- The webinar targets a broad audience, including policymakers, psychologists, counselors, practitioners, and related health professionals.
Learning Outcomes:
The overall goals of the session are to:
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Raise awareness of gambling addiction as both a public health and mental health concern;
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Explore the interconnections between gambling addiction, substance use disorders (SUDs), and other mental health conditions;
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Promote informed approaches to prevention, early identification, and integrated treatment.
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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Distinguish the similarities and differences between gambling addiction and substance use disorders.
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Examine shared risk and protective factors.
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Evaluate evidence-based treatment strategies.
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Discuss how stigma and under-recognition impact access to treatment.
Presenter:
Dr. Susan Gitau- ICAP III, Counselling Psychologist
Dr Gitau is a Counselling Psychologist and a Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP III). She is a Global Master Trainer UTC and a Master Trainer GCCCE Colombo Plan, Africa Region. She is also a certified clinical supervisor for addiction counsellors. She runs her own drug-demand reduction consultancy, Elewa Ulevi. She has consulted widely with national and international bodies on drug-demand reduction and policy formulation and appears frequently on national media as a resource person for the same. Dr Gitau is the Deputy President, ISSUP Kenya.
Harrison Mwaura; Addiction Counsellor
Harrison Mwaura is a Master’s student in Counselling Psychology and a rehabilitation facility manager based in Kenya. He is also a recovering gambling and alcohol addict, whose journey from addiction to recovery fuels his passion for helping others. Harrison previously worked in the banking sector, but his gambling addiction led to the misappropriation of funds and the eventual loss of his job. After hitting rock bottom and undergoing rehabilitation in 2021, he turned his life around and committed himself to supporting individuals struggling with addiction. Today, he manages operations at Wonderpeace Wellness Centre while providing counselling and relapse prevention services. Drawing from both personal experience and professional training, Harrison offers a powerful voice in gambling harm awareness and addiction recovery.
Chrispus Githae Kimaru
Chrispus Githae Kimaru is an addiction counsellor, an International Certified Addiction Professional (ICAP I), and a recovery and mental health champion in private practice. He also serves as a trainer at SAPTA in Nairobi, Kenya. Holding a Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology (Addiction Studies), Chrispus envisions contributing to drug demand reduction through his initiatives to engage youth both in and out of school.
Moderators:
Catherine Muthiani
Counselling Psychologist and Deputy President ISSUP Kenya Chapter; Catherine is the Head of Training, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Africa (SAPTA)
References:
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Grant, J. E., & Chamberlain, S. R. (2014). Gambling disorder and its relationship with substance use disorders: Implications for diagnosis and treatment. American Journal on Addictions, 23(2), 105–112.DOI: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2013.12071.x
- https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2024-02-09-research-reports-the-rise-of-betting-addiction-in-kenyan-youths
Webinars and online events delivered and hosted by the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) are provided for informational purposes only. They are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
