August 13-15, 2024 | Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale | 155 Temple St, New Haven, CT
Stephen Matos
Recovery Support Services Manager
MCCA
Pathway:
MULTIPLE PATHWAYS
Session Title:
Pathways to Gambling Recovery in CT
Session Details:
The expansion of online sports gambling and internet casino gambling in CT has increased the need for awareness and services for people affected by gambling harms. In this presentation two Peer Counselors will provide valuable information and insight into some of the available pathways and provide information on gambling recovery supports that can be stand-alone services or supplement clinical treatment. Topics will cover statewide Gambling Recovery Services in CT, Gamblers Anonymous, open all-recovery meetings, gambling specific podcasts, and other online gambling recovery resources. Additionally, the financial consequences of disordered gambling can be an obstacle to recovery. This training will include a brief introduction to available resources that can help disordered gamblers manage financial consequences including budgeting, debt solutions, and financial accountability solutions.
What are you looking forward to most at #MPRCCT2024?
I am most looking forward to being surrounded by people in recovery. The experience, strength and hope of the community is inspiring and uplifting!
Stephen Matos is a person in long-term recovery of over 32 years from gambling, alcohol and as a person affected by problem gambling. After retiring from the State of CT DOT as an operations manager in 2012, Stephen began working for The Connection�s Bettor Choice Gambling Treatment Program and MCCA�s Bettor Choice Program as a Peer Counselor and Recovery Support Specialist. Stephen facilitates recovery groups, family support groups along with seeing clients individually focusing on supporting those with gambling disorders and their family members along the road of recovery. Stephen works closely with the DMHAS Problem Gambling Services and the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling in the facilitation of trainings, prevention, awareness activities and manages PGS gambling recovery support grant providing recovery opportunities for persons in recovery from problem and persons affected by it. He has presented on peer support related issues at the 2015 National Conference on Problem Gambling, CCAR�s Pathways to Recovery Conference in 2016, honored with the CT Council on Problem Gambling�s Recovery Award in 2015 and presented at their State Conference in 2017. Stephen is a graduate of Advocacy Unlimited Recovery University, certified as a Recovery Support Specialist and has completed CCAR�s Recovery Coach Academy and is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-II).
Valerie Tebbetts has been in recovery from a gambling addiction for over 13 years. She currently serves as the Helpline, Training and Recovery Manager for the CT Council on Problem Gambling. Valerie provides screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment services to individuals and families that are experiencing gambling harm. She has been a trainer in the State of Connecticut with the staff of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Problem Gambling Services and has presented at the National Council on Problem Gambling�s (NCPG) convention on �Mindfulness Based Recovery� and �Financial Issues and Problem Gambling.� She is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor and is a CCAR certified Recovery Coach. Valerie previously worked as a Peer Counselor in the Bettor Choice treatment program and as a Recovery Coach in a medication assisted treatment program for opioid dependent individuals at UCFS Healthcare in Norwich, CT.