The Accidental Gambler

Dr. Cally Berryman is a drugs, alcohol and gambling counsellor. She has worked in the areas of gambling dependence and substance abuse for over 20 years – as a counsellor, in academic teaching and in program development and coordination. She has been instrumental in developing a number of high-interest areas in drugs and alcohol and rehabilitation for RMIT in acute medical, surgical, community and rehabilitation areas. 

Gambling is a very common activity in Australia with 70 to 80% of adults gambling at some time in their lives. Although many people gamble without it turning into a harmful problem, almost 200,000 people in Australia struggle with problem gambling. As more gambling advertising spend is directed at women, female gambling in Australia is on the rise. Dr. Berryman, author of fictional novel - The Accidental Gambler doesn't believe that problem gambling is a sign of weakness. She believes that pokies are designed to hook people. Dr. Berryman will talk about her book and shed light on the dark world of female problem gambling and how many vulnerable women are drawn to gambling to deal with grief, trauma, depression and unresolved issues. Dr. Berryman will also outline what help is available for anyone trapped in the cycle of gambling addiction.