Madison County Council on  Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, Inc.
 
 

 

Dealing With a Gambling Problem

March 5th-11th is National Problem Gambling Awareness Week

People with a gambling problem can find help regardless of how long they have been gambling or how many financial or legal problems their addiction has caused. The National Council on Problem Gambling, which offers a 24-hour problem gambling helpline, says one of the first steps is to recognize the signs of problem gambling. They include:

  • Gambling for more time and/or money than intended
  • Gambling more to try to win back what you have lost
  • Lying to loved ones about the amount of time or money spent on gambling

Gambling can be considered problematic, and no longer recreational, when it causes a disruption in any major area of a person’s life.

It is estimated that 2 to 3 percent of the U.S. population has a gambling problem. It can affect men or women of any age, race, or religion regardless of social status. Fortunately, there is a national and a state helpline to link problem gamblers and their family members to treatment, recovery groups and other resources.

A gambling helpline proved invaluable for Jane Skavinsky, a grandmother whose gambling problem began with simple bingo games, spiraled out of control and ended with her spending her 50th birthday in prison.

“My gambling addiction led to my losing focus on anything that didn’t have to do with bingo. Soon I was spending my whole paycheck on it,” Skavinsky explains.

Eventually, Skavinsky began embezzling money from her office to help fund her habit. She was sentenced to a year in jail for stealing a quarter of a million dollars.

“It was only after months of mental anguish that I called the helpline. I did not realize that gambling was the root of all my problems,” she explains. Through its referral to treatment and self-help groups, the helpline helped Skavinsky to recover. Today, she works to spread the word about problem gambling and helps others beat their addictions.

“A problem gambler does not need to wait to ‘hit bottom’ before asking for help,” says Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. “And because so many addicted gamblers are in denial and will never call, we offer our services to the nongamblers as well. When their problem is your problem, you can call the Helpline to learn what help is available.”

To learn more or to find help, you can call the New York Council on Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-437-1611 or the National Council on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700. Or visit www.oasas.state.ny.us     or www.ncpgambling.org.
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