"The discernment process is a tool to be used in helping gamblers, family members and others to sort out how, where, and why. It is especially helpful for family members. It is a specific and concrete tool that people can use to help them make healthy choices. The inner circle deals with five main points:
What is it that you want in your life?
Foreseeable effects
Gamut
Options
Spiritual program
These steps start the family member in the process of helping them to evaluate that what and where they need to go in dealing with the gambler. The outer circle gives the added material to use in the process. The goal is to help them have something that is a “hands on” tool. During this time of shock and bewilderment, this assists the family. As they work through this process; it gives them direction/guidance to ground themselves.
Some areas of concern in which this method is helpful for the family are money; separation/divorce; children; trust ; mental health issues; medical problems; counseling and occupation. Along with these issues and many more is a specific plan of action to be used by the family members and gambler. This plan of action helps them in their communication to stay on track. Each point gives them the opportunity to explore and discuss how they-together can begin to make informed healthy intelligent decisions in both of their recoveries."