Gambling Addiction: YOU Can Make a Difference Posted On
Addiction affects millions of people throughout the world. Whether alcohol, drugs, gambling or another type, addictions hurt more than just the person who is addicted. They can affect their family members, friends, coworkers, neighbors and more.
But you can help make a difference. You can help raise awareness about gambling addiction, help people who are currently addicted and prevent future gambling problems.
We encourage you to find out how you can help.
Know The Warning Signs Of Disordered Gambling
Every day, addictions go unnoticed because people don’t know the signs of problem gambling to be looking for. Knowing these warning signs is so important. Being able to identify these allows us to reach out and help people who need our support before consequences such as debt and broken relationships escalate.
If we know the warning signs of problem gambling, you can teach others about them. You can help raise awareness in your community, so that more people can have the help, support and motivation they need to seek recovery.
Know The Risks Of Underage Gambling
We know that problem gamblers tend to have begun gambling at a younger age than individuals who do not struggle with an addiction. This helps us understand that children should not be gambling, under any circumstance. Teenagers and college students are affected dramatically by problem gambling, and it is up to us to help them and prevent more problems from beginning and continuing.
You can help by making sure our children don’t gamble. You can help by educating our kids and parents on the risks of youth gambling. You can even teach parents about the risks associated with giving kids lottery tickets as presents and playing casual gambling games at the kitchen table.
Know Where To Find Help for Gambling Addiction
Help for problem gamblers, their family members and their friends is available throughout New York State, in many different forms.
You can help raise awareness about the type of help available in NYS and online. From groups like Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon to community-based organizations such as those found in our gambling support directory, professionals are ready to help individuals and their loved ones recovery.
You can also raise awareness about the NYS HOPEline, which provides support for alcohol, drug and gambling abuse for individuals through the state. This hotline allows you to reach counseling professionals 24 hours per day, 7 days per week – even on holidays.
Help is available, and you can raise awareness about it. Tell people there is help and hope, and tell them they have your support.
Together, we can raise awareness about problem gambling, and help our communities. We hope you will join us in that mission.
