……
Hello and Welcome Recovery Friends and Visitors,
Summer is in full swing and here in Arizona it is now moving way into the “Heat With Double Digits.” It can be a tough time for many of us who maintain recovery from gambling addiction and those who are still suffering and stuck in the cycle of addicted gambling. With the heat, we look for indoor things to do and for those with a gambling problem? That can mean more visits to the CASINOS.
So, during these summer months, I will shine a spotlight on the many recovery resources and places who offer help, education and raise awareness about problem gambling. If you spend more time indoors at casinos, your open to the slow progression into full-blown addicted gambling. But there is hope and help out there, you just need to know where to look. Even though I have many places for help on my resources page, I can never share too many places for help, information, and hope. And it’s why I came up with the idea to share them and ‘Shine a Light’ on those places who care and want to help those needing it this summer!
I will start for those seeking help in The State of Arizona!
……..
…..
ABOUT THE ARIZONA OFFICE OF PROBLEM GAMBLING:
“Our Mission Is Simple: “Our Mission is to provide and support effective problem gambling prevention, treatment, and education programs throughout Arizona.”
The Division of Problem Gambling is committed to a public health approach to address problem gambling issues. This takes into consideration biological, behavioral, economic, cultural, policy, and environmental factors influencing gambling and health. We will accomplish our mission and realize our vision by being culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of our partners and those we serve.
We will be professional, collaborative, equitable, and innovative in our solutions to address problem gambling. To Support a sustainable continuum of services that reduces to a minimum level the impact of problem gambling in Arizona.
General Election 2002’s Ballot Proposition 202 (the “Indian Gaming Preservation and Self-Reliance Act”) stated: “Two percent [of the tribal contributions made to the Arizona Benefits Fund], shall be used by the Department of Gaming to fund state and local programs for the prevention and treatment of, and education concerning, problem gambling.” The Division of Problem Gambling has been established by the Department of Gaming to fulfill this responsibility.
Another Arizona state agency, the Arizona Lottery, has had a Please Play Responsibly Program since 1998 and a Problem Gambling Program since 2000. The Lottery and the Department of Gaming are collaborating through an inter-agency agreement to consolidate management of all state problem gambling programs within the Division of Problem Gambling with the goal of ensuring continuity of services.
“We look forward to serving the people of Arizona by fulfilling our Mission.”
……
……
The National Council on Problem Gambling by State.
Both The AZ Office and The National Council on Problem Gambling offer fantastic advice, prevention, and education for Parents about Youth and Gambling this page on their website: YOUTH & GAMBLING.
“If they’re not drinking or using drugs, what’s the big deal?”
Gambling is not a safe alternative to alcohol or drug use for YOUTH. Many people think that poker among friends is totally safe if young people are not drinking or smoking. The truth is, while most people do not develop problems with gambling, more youth than ever are developing problems with gambling. Consequences of problem gambling include more than lost money.
Our youth are the first generation in our nation to experience the current acceptability and accessibility of gambling. Their mothers and grandmothers are taking trips to local casinos; families watch poker tournaments on TV as if they were a sporting event and schools regularly have casino nights as fundraisers or after proms and graduation. We owe it to our youth to teach them that gambling is not risk-free.
Large-scale prevalence studies and reviews all confirm the high prevalence rates of youth gambling. It is estimated that between 4% and 8% of adolescents presently exhibit a serious gambling problem with another 10% to 14% of adolescents at risk for developing or returning to a serious gambling problem (Shaffer & Hall, Meta Analysis, 1996, Journal of Gambling Studies, 12, 193-214)
….
Gambling risk behavior is consistently associated with other risky behavior such as drug use, juvenile delinquency, and family problems:
Arizona Youth Gambling Profile Report – 2008
Arizona Criminal Justice Commission Youth Gambling Fact Sheet
Nebraska Risk and Protective Factor Study – 2003
- Of the students who gamble, the most common age of initiation is 10 or younger
- Males are more than twice as likely as females to have gambled in the past year
- Males are three times more likely to respond to two or more “problem gambling” questions than females
- Gambling involvement is positively correlated with substance abuse and all other risk factors for substance use
…..
Teen problem gamblers have higher rates of:
Crime (theft, robbery, embezzlement)
- School problems (e.g., lower grades, truancy, behavior issues)
- Family problems (e.g., withdrawal, behavior issues)
- Peer relationship problems
- Legal and money troubles
- Depression; suicidal thoughts and attempts
- Dissociative, “escape” behaviors
- Risk for co-occurring addiction(s) including alcohol and substance abuse
Source: Gupta and Derevensky, eGambling Youth Gambling: A Clinical and Research Perspective
For Adults and Families? They can help both individuals and families with treatment options paid for the State of Arizona.
So Arizonians now have help and options to get treatment for Gambling Addiction or Problem Gambling. If you or a loved one needs help today? Please call or email below or The NCP Gambling.
JAY HERYCYK – State of Arizona
FIND HELP IN YOUR STATE NOW, including counseling, treatment, self-help, and support groups:
NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE
Call: 1-800-522-4700
Text: 1-800-522-4700
Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat
AND
ARIZONA COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING, INC.
9001 E. Palmer Drive
Chandler, AZ 85248
Tel: 480.802.4945
Fax: 480.802.4945
Email: azccg@azccg.org
Website: www.azccg.org
Helpline: 800.777.7207
OTHER STATE RESOURCES
• Arizona Office of Problem Gambling is responsible for general health and/or addiction services in this state, and may also have information on problem gambling.
• For the fact sheet on gambling and problem gambling in Arizona, click here.
PROBLEM GAMBLING WARNING SIGNS:
Ask Yourself These Questions?
- Have you ever felt the need to bet more and more money?
- Have you ever lied to people important to you about how much you gambled?
- Have you repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop gambling?
- Do you gamble as a way of escaping emotional or physical pain?
- Have you ever relied on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?
- Have you ever jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job or career opportunity because of gambling?
- Have you gambled to get money with which to pay debts or to solve other financial problems?
- Have you borrowed money to finance your gambling?
- Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
- Do you gamble to try to get your money back?
……
The Four Phases of Escape Gambling
Problem gambling is thought to be a progressive disorder, traveling through four phases. Although this describes the four phases of what is commonly called the “Escape” gambler, anyone experiencing problems in life due to gambling will probably be able to identify with this progression.
Gamblers Anonymous 20 Questions
If someone answers “yes” to seven or more of these questions, Gamblers Anonymous suggests it is an indication of a serious problem.
DSM-5 Diagonostic Criteria: Gambling Disorder
A score of five or more is categorized as pathological gambling, but a score of three or four could indicate a serious concern for the problems gambling is creating in one’s life.
So don’t gamble with your life like I did! Please visit The Office of Arizona Problem Gambling Division or The National Council on Problem Gambling and get help now! The State of Arizona!
Bet Free Recovery Now...Sharing Hope, Help & Recovery From Gambling Addiction, News & Resources. 