Problem Gambling “The Hidden Addiction” Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services DBHDS

The FCCG maintains a vast database of resources specifically developed and chosen to assist those in need of help with a gambling problem (both for gamblers and their loved ones), along with addressing the collateral impacts of this addiction. From decades of experience providing help and hope to individuals suffering from a gambling addiction, and in listening to the pleas of its HelpLine callers, the FCCG has grown its resource database to serve nearly every circumstance or situation brought about by problem gambling. When gambling becomes more than just a game, it can seriously affect someone’s mental health, relationships, and finances. Knowing the signs of gambling addiction and understanding how counselling can help are important first steps toward recovery. This guide helps explain what causes gambling addiction, its risks, and how professional help supports the recovery process. Gambling addiction has become a more prevalent part of our society, more so since the legalization of sports betting in 38 states since 2018.

Virtual treatment is a popular option for gambling addiction due to the convenience and accessibility it allows. Teletherapy allows someone to receive support from the comfort of their own home and can reduce barriers to accessing treatment. Virtual counseling also allows someone to receive specialized care, such as gambling addiction treatment, that may not be in their location otherwise.

Gambling addiction can damage relationships, cause job losses, affect school performance, and make it hard to keep up with daily responsibilities. Some individuals turn to gambling when they’re feeling stressed, lonely, or upset instead of dealing with these feelings in healthier ways. Support groups offer a safe space to discuss the challenges of addiction and to encourage one another during recovery. People in recovery can even offer advice and encouragement as you begin your own journey. Because they’ve been where you are, you can learn from their experiences, and they can help guide you on your path.

Please call, chat or text our confidential and toll-free helpline at: 1.888.532.3500

  • GATE education seminars are designed to help professional sportspeople better understand their own relationship with gambling and the societal and sport-specific factors that may contribute to that relationship becoming unhealthy.
  • Individuals with gambling addiction often can’t stop thinking about their last bet or planning their next one.
  • We understand that gambling can become a powerful and extremely disruptive influence on a person’s life and on those around them.
  • Through awareness, prevention, early intervention, and compassionate support, individuals affected by gambling addiction can find paths to recovery and rebuilding.

With this new freedom to gamble comes a direct correlation to those seeking treatment for problematic gambling behaviors. Calls into gambling addiction hotlines have also increased people needing support to stop their gambling habits. Access to comprehensive gambling addiction treatment is a crucial part in addressing a national problem. Yes, loved ones and family members of individuals struggling with a gambling problem can contact GAMBLER resources. Encouraging loved ones to contact GAMBLER can be a crucial step in getting support and information to address the impact of a gambling problem on both the individual and the family.

It can also serve as a source of guidance and hope for those who are trying to help someone they care about recover from gambling addiction. The FCCG provides a wide array of written materials to help seekers that are both population and problem gambling specific as well as general in nature. FCCG literature offerings serve as a means of reaching out to target populations who may be unable to seek other avenues of help due to a variety of reasons, such as transportation issues, language and/or cultural barriers. The FCCG also provides specific resources through the HelpLine for affected others, loved ones, like spouses, significant others, family members and friends. Although the FCCG is recognized by most through its 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine, this is only one of the many services and programs it provides.

Taking the First Step Toward Recovery

Hira Ahmed is a highly experienced writer covering gaming and tech news for Coinspeaker. With a background in digital marketing and a focus on cryptocurrency, she has covered the Web3 gaming space for numerous well-respected online publications over the past five years, with works including extensive crypto gambling guides, blog posts and explainers. Her key strength lies in unravelling blockchain jargon and transforming it into clear, practical advice for everyday players. Gambling addiction, also known as gambling disorder or compulsive gambling, is a serious condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This helps you stay focused and motivated to reach your recovery goals, which can be instrumental in consistency and commitment to recovery. Fortunately, Support groups like Gamblers Anonymous (GA) are free to join and offer online and in-person meetings.

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At Gambling Support BC, our goal is to ensure that every resident of British Columbia has access to the necessary tools and support services they need to make informed decisions about gambling, all at no cost. We are dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate gambling choices confidently and to access support. The B.C. Government provides British Columbians with free information and resources to support informed choices and healthy behaviours with respect to gambling participation. Free treatment and support services are also available for anyone struggling with their own or a loved one’s gambling. Inpatient treatment provides a structured daily schedule that can include individual and group therapy, access to psychiatric and medical care if needed and other holistic approaches to treatment like meditation or exercise classes.

These support groups, both in-person and online, can be crucial to a comprehensive treatment plan for gambling addiction. Stigma means that people experiencing harm often feel a deep shame that stops them from getting help. It justifies discrimination in the way gambling is dealt with by regulatory bodies, financial services providers, the healthcare system and the justice system. We understand that gambling can become a powerful and extremely disruptive influence on a person’s life and on those around them. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive set of resources crafted to assist you, regardless of where you currently stand on your path to recovery. Otherwise in some cases there is the possibility of an interpreter service for the counselling.

Gambling Support BC Program

Personal information and the details of your call are kept private, and your identity is not disclosed without your consent. The resources presented here are intended to be a starting point – this is not a complete list of information or services. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) provides resource referrals for both in-person and virtual meetings, for a wide variety of Self-Help Support Groups. Paruyr’s vision is to revolutionize the sports entertainment industry by integrating technology.

Helpful programs and pages like this one are made possible by donations from people like you. You could be living or working with a compulsive gambler and not know it until the problems are out of control. Is fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem. Remember that seeking help is a https://888betofficial.com/ sign of strength, not weakness, and recovery is always possible regardless of how severe the addiction has become. For more information on our approach to responsible gambling, please see our Responsible Gambling page. Research from Harvard Medical School suggests that these warning signs often appear in clusters, with individuals typically experiencing multiple indicators simultaneously.

They can be a powerful addition to your recovery plan, helping you stay strong and committed to recovery long-term. Gambling Addiction is a widespread problem in the United States with over 2.5 million people meeting the criteria for severe gambling addiction. Another 5 to 8 million people meet the criteria for a moderate gambling problem, with even more going undiagnosed due to facts such as the perceived stigma and shame that can accompany problem gambling. No payment or insurance information is required to receive resources from GAMBLER.

They can provide a safe space for those struggling with gambling addiction to share, learn coping strategies, and find motivation for recovery. Professional treatment from mental health providers is also crucial for many dealing with this complex disorder. If available in your area, this can provide an extra level of connection and comfort. Finding an in-person therapist that has experience in treating gambling addiction in a specific location may be the biggest challenge to this type of therapy.

GATE education seminars are designed to help professional sportspeople better understand their own relationship with gambling and the societal and sport-specific factors that may contribute to that relationship becoming unhealthy. Research from the Journal of Behavioral Addictions suggests that these factors can potentially intensify addiction risks for vulnerable individuals. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, approximately 1% of the adult population in the United States meets the criteria for severe gambling problems, with another 2-3% experiencing moderate gambling problems and risks. These statistics are similar in many other countries, making gambling addiction a global concern.

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