Awareness campaign underway
The office basketball pool or an occasional lottery ticket are one thing...but what if gambling becomes a compulsion?
It is National Problem Gambling Awareness Week, with a push to make compulsive gamblers own up to the addiction.
Joyce Barrett, who calls herself an 'arrested' gambler, says there's an awful lot of denial---and it's not uncommon for people to go to extremes to finance the habit, ending in major losses of property and family relationships, and high suicide rates.
NY's Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse (OASAS) has a big outreach program, which includes 'testimonials' from people, including Joyce, who've been there. There is also a National Council on Problem Gambling that offers a tollfree help line.
Compulsive Gambler signs:
>Constant preoccupation with gambling
>Secretiveness about habits, and defensiveness when confronted
>Increasing the bet amounts to get a gambling 'high'
>Unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop
>Restless or irritable when not gambling
>Gambling to escape problems
>Chasing losses with more gambling
>Lying to family members & friends or committing crimes to finance habit
>Jeopardizing or losing jobs, relationships and other opportunities
>Relying on others for bail outs after gambling
Help lines: 800-522-4700 (National Council on Problem Gambling)
1-877-8 HOPENY or www.iamrecovery.com (OASAS)
