| Prevention Times |
| “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ~ Nelson Mandela |
| Contributed By: Josh Parkinson Problem Gambling Specialist |
| Herkimer County Prevention Council 61 West Street Ilion NY 13357 Ph: 315-894-8080 Fax:: 315-894-6313 www.herkimercountyprevention.org Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Herkimer County an Agency of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany
Past Issues of Prevention Times: Jun 09 Graduation July 09 Boating Safety Aug 09 Binge Drinking Sep 09 Alcohol & Brain Development
Oct 09 Salvia Nov 09 Children of Alcoholics Dec 09 Responsible Partying Jan10 Abuse of Cough Medicine Feb 10 Inhalants
Oct 09 Salvia Nov 09 Children of Alcoholics Dec 09 Responsible Partying Jan10 Abuse of Cough Medicine Feb 10 Inhalants
| March 2010 Issue 35 |
| MARCH 7- 13 IS NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS WEEK |
| THE FOUR PHASES AND WARNING SIGNS OF PROBLEM GAMBLING |
| . (1) The Winning Phase The gambler experiences a “Big Win,” sometimes called “Beginner’s Luck.” This results in more frequent gambling and increased wagers. The gambler begins to fantasize about winning and the wonderful and exciting future this will bring about- “A dollar and a dream” Unreasonable optimism develops l l V |
| (2) The Losing Phase The gambler thinks only about gambling. The gambler’s personality begins to go through changes. The gambler lies, borrows money, and cover-ups become more common. The gambler can no longer control the gambling, and relationships with family, friends, and employers deteriorate. |
| (3) The Desperation Phase The gambler can no longer pay debts and looks for bailouts that could be legal or illegal. The gambler panics at the prospect that the action will stop. The gambler clings to the belief that the action will stop. The gambler clings to the belief that a winning streak, which will solve all their problems, is just around the corner. The gambler begins to show increasing signs of depression, irritability and thoughts of suicide may be present. l l V |
| (4) The hopeless Phase Serious consequences begin to occur, which may seem irreversible, such as arrests, divorce, alcohol or other substance abuse problems, emotional breakdowns, and serious withdrawal symptoms. The gambler realizes that getting even or catching up is not possible, but no longer cares. Approximately 20% of the time, this type of despair may lead the gambler to attempt suicide. |
| So what can you do when the “luck” has run out for you or someone you care about? There is help. Call the New York State’s toll-free, 24 hour, 7 day a week HOPEline where trained clinicians can help answer your questions, refer loved ones to treatment, and provide other crucial resources to facilitate that first step toward recovery. Please call: 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) |
When a person has an addiction to substances such as alcohol, prescription painkillers or other drugs, it’s not
difficult to see the tell tale signs of their abuse; you can smell the alcohol, you can see the glossy bloodshot eyes.
But you can’t smell or see the loss of money when the addiction is to a behavior such as gambling. Compulsive
gambling has been called the “hidden addiction” because it’s do difficult to detect. Often it’s not until it has become
a very real problem for the gambler and consequently their family, friends and co-workers, that we are aware of this
insidious addiction.
It’s time to bring this addiction out of hiding and into the open so those who suffer from this problem can get the
help and support they need to overcome its hold on their life and the lives of those who care about them. It may be
“A dollar and a dream”, but what happens when the dream turns into a nightmare?
difficult to see the tell tale signs of their abuse; you can smell the alcohol, you can see the glossy bloodshot eyes.
But you can’t smell or see the loss of money when the addiction is to a behavior such as gambling. Compulsive
gambling has been called the “hidden addiction” because it’s do difficult to detect. Often it’s not until it has become
a very real problem for the gambler and consequently their family, friends and co-workers, that we are aware of this
insidious addiction.
It’s time to bring this addiction out of hiding and into the open so those who suffer from this problem can get the
help and support they need to overcome its hold on their life and the lives of those who care about them. It may be
“A dollar and a dream”, but what happens when the dream turns into a nightmare?
| COMPULSIVE GAMBLING EXPOSED While most adults gamble responsibly, approximately ONE MILLION New Yorkers suffer from a gambling problem and millions more suffer as a result. Problem gambling isn’t just a concern for the adult population in New York State. It’s also an issue for our young people. In the 2009 Herkimer County TAP (Teen Assessment Project) Survey, two thirds of the students surveyed in grades 7, 9 and 11, reported having gambled within the past year. To minimize the harm problem gambling can cause to both individuals and society as a whole, it’s important to understand the addiction, recognize the warning signs, and get the help needed to overcome the addiction. |
| "A dollar & a dream" |
| New York State Office of Alcohol And Substance Abuse Services |