One of the world’s leading experts on the issue of problem gaming, Dr Rob Hunter, founder/director of the highly successful Las Vegas Problem Gambling Centre recently visited Australia to official opening of the Oakdene House Foundation.
In addition to working with the Oakdene staff, Dr Hunter delivered an address to both the media and a number of key figures in the addiction treatment field. Officially opening the centre, Dr Hunter noted that“the eyes of the world are looking to what happens here in Sydney”.
Further support of this was illustrated when Dr Hunter presented the audience with an official proclamation from Mayor Carolyn Goodman and the Las Vegas City Council, honouring Oakdene House and declaring April 18, 2012 to officially be Oakdene House day in the City of Las Vegas.
Dr Hunter was joined at the event by Michael (Mick) Mundine Sr in being the inaugural patrons of the Foundation. Mick Mundine, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Redfern based Aboriginal Housing Company and has had a long involvement in the struggle for the betterment of Aboriginal people in Australia. Particularly in Redfern where issues of housing and health have been championed by Mick along with his passionate stand against drugs and alcohol.
With twenty five years specialising in gambling addiction, Dr Hunter has pioneered methods to help gamblers overcome their addiction. The Oakdene House team have benefitted from his ground breaking thinking on addressing all aspects of the problem gambler’s suffering, from the belief that many gamble as a method to anaesthetise themselves and escape work and family worries.
Having setting up national programs in Iceland and Canada along with current work in Korea, Russia, China and Japan, Dr Hunter states that much of the important work is now being done outside the US and that, surprisingly, “Australia is in a lead role relative to moderating potential harm of gambling”. “The team at Oakdene House are well placed to continue this work” in addition to counseling and treatment services, Oakdene also supports meetings for those in recovery, along with educational seminars that can assist with the identification of harmful gaming habits and provide direction and support to help an individual overcome these.