Maryland Conference on Problem Gambling – May 27, 2016
The 4th Annual Maryland Conference on Problem Gambling will be held Friday May 27, 2016
at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel, 1743 West Nursery Road, Linthicum, MD 21090
Hosted by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, this year’s theme is “Working Together for Problem Gambling Awareness.” Flyers are not yet available; however registration information should be available on line soon.
On behalf of Lanie’s Hope, I am honored to be presenting “Advocacy in Action” in the afternoon session, following presentations by Keynote Speaker Victor Ortiz of the Mass Council and Dr. Natasha Dow Schull, author of “Addiction by Design.”
Look for future postings and details re this event at http://mdproblemgambling.com
Gamblers Anonymous of Southern Nevada Conference – May 21,2016
Gamblers Anonymous of Southern Nevada will be hosting the annual “Mini-Convention” Saturday May 21,2016 at the Henderson Convention Center, 200 South Water St., Henderson, Nevada 89015.
The Cost is $40 per person for registration before May 1st and $50 after May 1st. The Deadline for all registration is May 15th, 2016.
Lanie’s Hope is not affiliated with Gamblers Anonymous. We are happy to make this information available for our recovery community. Anyone interested in more details or in registration, should contact GASN directly. Details and registration information are available at
Gamblers Anonymous Conference – Phoenix May 13-15, 2016
Gamblers Anonymous 2016 International Spring Conference will be held May 13-15, 2016 in Phoenix, AZ
at the Sheraton Crescent Hotel, 2620 W. Dunlap Avenue, Phoenix, AZ (800) 325-3535.
Lanie’s Hope is not affiliated with Gamblers Anonymous. This information is made available as a resource for our recovery community.
To register for the conference, and to make hotel reservations, please contact the host organization at 2016 GA Conference Phoenix
Is Fantasy Football Gambling?
Is Fantasy Football Gambling?
The 2015-2016 Football Season has come and gone..and still the question comes up in daily news. Is Fantasy Football “Gambling?” Does participation in fantasy sports pose a threat of potential Gambling Addiction? Maybe. Maybe not. I suppose the simple questions that apply to gambling addiction in general could be used as a litmus test for Fantasy Football league participation. It’s called the “Lie/Bet” screening and it asks two simple questions. Do you ever lie about the amount of time or money you expend to gamble? and Do you find you have to bet greater and greater amounts of money when you gamble? http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2016/04/14/fantasy-bet-fantasy-sports-game-skill-or-gambling-164072
And yet another article TODAY on Fantasy Football. Apparently Congress is weighing in on the issue. Hmmm..Lots to digest here. Why do you think this issue is getting so much attention?
http://cardplayer.com/poker-news/20236-congress-to-hold-hearing-on-daily-fantasy-sports
Nevada Problem Gambling Conference-Las Vegas May 5-6, 2016
Nevada Conference on Problem Gambling
The 10th Annual Nevada State Conference on Problem Gambling brings together diverse experts and stakeholders to address the impact of this significant community health issue on the people of Nevada. Their goal is to increase awareness, enhance professional knowledge and skills, and empower our communities to help reduce the impact of problem gambling through Prevention, Education, Treatment, Recovery and Research.
Nevada State Conference On Problem Gambling 2016
Lanie’s Hope is honored to co-present the session “In their own words.” Using actual journal entries from compulsive gamblers in recovery, we will explore the impact of journaling as a tool for addiction recovery and mental health. Many in recovery lean on journaling as a tool to process thoughts and feelings. The act of journaling helps those in recovery “pause” and get in touch with their feeling rather than acting out the urge to gamble. Promoted by many clinicans as an effective therapeutic tool, this presentation offers a rare glimpse into the recovering gambler’s most private thoughts and the personal journey of journaling as a path to self awareness.
Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention month. Gambling addiction has the highest suicide rate of all addictions and the statistics do not reflect that many of these suicides are mistakenly reported as single-car accidents, wrong-way drivers, heart attacks, cerebral stem strokes (from an overdose of anti-depressants), and so forth. This is a true story of two friends of mine, who both planned their suicides down to the last detail and thankfully, both survived. The names and details have been changed to protect their identities, but the stories and devastation are true.
Mary, a 60 year old psychologist became so depressed with her inability to stop gambling, an activity that was consuming her every moment and thought, that she had to stop seeing patients because she no longer cared about their problems. Her husband, her one true love had become ill and diagnosed with dementia, as well as complications due to a congenital heart defect and diabetes. She had her own physical limitations due to severe crippling from rheumatoid arthritis. Mary had 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren- the light of her life. All that being said, Mary still could not tear herself away from the video poker machines to get home and check on her husband. She missed many of the grandchildren’s recitals and sporting events because she had hit another jackpot. Her children stopped telling the grandchildren that she would be there because of their disappointment and sadness of being let down, over and over. Mary found herself unable to concentrate and many times after hours of gambling could not recall how she actually drove home. Read more →
Walk in Memory/Walk for Hope- Sept 12, 2015 8AM, Bob Miller Middle School
Lanie’s Hope Founder, Bea Aikens, to present Keynote Address on gambling addiction and suicide at the 2015 Walk in Memory/Walk for Hope
Lanie’s Hope
2015 Walk in Memory
Gambling Addiction will be the focus of the 2015 Suicide Prevention Community Walk, Saturday September 12, 2015 at Bob Miller Middle School, 2400 Cozy Circle, Henderson, NV. The suicide rate among untreated problem gamblers is extraordinarily high. Experts report than 20% of all problem gamblers who actually seek treatment have attempted or considered suicide; a correlation I am all too familiar with.
Many of you know that I lost my sister Lanie due to a gambling-related overdose in June of 2008. See…I still can’t actually say the words “Lanie committed suicide because of her gambling addiction.” I always find myself couching this phrase in indirect ways like “a gambling-related overdose.” In my heart of hearts, do I think she intentionally killed herself. No. I think she was in such immense pain and shame that she simply didn’t want to FEEL anything. But we’ll never know, because Lanie’s not here to tell her story. What I do know is this. If Lanie hadn’t been gambling, she would not have overdosed. If Lanie had continued to abstain from gambling and attend the recovery fellowship she belonged to, she would not have had to endure the shame and despair that drove her to overdose on antidepressants. Gambling Addiction DID cost my sister her life. Read more →
Review of “All Bets Are Off”
This is the title and cover of the book about Arnie and Sheila Wexler written by them, along with Steve Jacobson. Arnie and Sheila have helped so many compulsive gamblers and their families to recover from the devastation of compulsive gambling, as well as written training manuals to train casino workers on recognizing a problem gambler. Arnie and Sheila have been in their respective recovery programs for over 47 years and reading their story is just amazing.
Going back to the beginning of Arnie’s gambling, the reader can see how his love of sports quickly evolved into enjoying the sport because of the rush he felt while “in action.” He loved horse racing and spent countless hours at the track. When he wasn’t at the actual track, his mind was still on the upcoming action and how to get more money. He had the ability to charm people into loaning him money, he was collecting kickbacks from vendors through his job, and lying to everybody- all to keep him going. His first date with Sheila (when he was 21 and she was 16) was to a drive-in to see Damn Yankees and the second was to a racetrack. However, as Sheila writes “I never had another date with him unless it was a sports event, a racetrack, or a casino night- except for an occasional Broadway show.” There were many naysayers that tried to convince Sheila NOT to marry Arnie, knowing that he was a compulsive gambler and her life would be hell. However, she loved him and believed that after they married, everything would be different and Arnie’s gambling would come to a halt because he had promised to quit when they were married. Read more →
Multiple Pathways of Recovery Conference – Mystic, CT – Oct 19-22, 2015
Multiple Pathways of Recovery Conference – Mystic, CT
October 19-22, 2015
Hosted by CCAR, the premier peer recovery coaching institute in the U.S., this conference is designed to offer education on the many different pathways available to achieve and sustain recovery . Recovery is not one-size-fits-all.
At the forefront of Advocacy for the recovery community and professionals who serve and treat those impacted by addiction, CCAR is renowned for developing and advance the recovery movement in America. Lanie’s Hope is delighted that gambling addiction and recovery will be included in this year’s program.
Founder Bea Aikens, a CCAR graduate and trainer, will be addressing the 12-steps and gambling addiction recovery.
Keynote presentations will include Bill White – Slaying the Dragon – The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America and Phillip Valentine – The CCAR Experience
Workshops Include:
SMART Recovery
Spirituality
Celebrate Recovery
12-Steps of recovery – Gambling, Narcotics, Alcohol
Medication Assisted Recovery
Women and Sobriety
Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research & Training Institute (MARTI) – Indiana, PA – June 23, 2015
Mid-Atlantic Addiction Research & Training Institute (MARTI)
Positive Approaches to Recovery: Populations, Providers, and Programs
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
June 22 – 26, 2015
Lanie’s Hope Founder and IUP Alumni, Bea Aikens, will be presenting “When The Fun Stops” at the 26th annual MARTI conference. Dedicated to research and educating professionals treating at risk communities, this year’s program will include two segments on gambling addiction, prevention and treatment.
Formed in 1988, MARTI combines academic resources with treatment expertise to provide state-of-the-art training on addiction treatment for substance abuse counselors and mental health professionals, develops and coordinates intramural and extramural research projects, and provides research and training opportunities for graduate students entering the field.
If you want to know more about helping children of all ages, and especially high-risk youth, MARTI’s Bi-Annual Summer Conference is for you. Come join us for our 26th conference at IUP. This year’s school is designed to meet the ever-changing needs of today’s youth and families. Presentations over the years have included the latest information on treatment for young children, improving school-based programs, working with adolescents, sexual abuse intervention, improving cultural competency, adult recovery strategies, anger and violence, building resiliency in children, and many other exciting topics. Year after year, MARTI has provided the latest techniques for working with children, excellent presenters, and special sections for educators and clinicians, all at a low cost. We hope to see you in June!
Brochures are now available.
To have your name added to our mailing list, please e-mail the MARTI office at [email protected] with both your mailing and e-mail addresses, or call 724-357-1288.
2015 International Gamblers Anonymous Conference – May 29-31, 2015 Cherry Hill, NJ
The 2015 International Gamblers Anonymous Conference will be held in Cherry Hill, New Jersey May 29, 30th & 31st.
The Crowne Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
2349 West Marlton Pike (Rt. 70 West)
Cherry Hill, Nw Jersey 08002
The conference theme is “Piecing It All Together.” Event begins Friday evening with a Welcome Dinner, entertainment and speakers followed by 12 Step meetings. Saturday offers a full day of workshops and an evening reception and dinner. The conference will conclude with the traditional Sunday morning Farewell breakfast and closing remarks.
Conference information and registration can be accessed at the link below:
trusteewebsite.com/index.php/html/main/cherry_hill_conference.html
Health Implications of Problem Gambling – Montevista Hospital March 20, 2015
Health Implications of Problem Gambling will be presented by Bea Aikens, Friday March 20, 2015 from 12:00-1:00PM at Montevista Hospital, 5900 W. Rochelle Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89103.
Focused on healthcare and treatment providers, this one hour “Lunch and Learn” presentation will provide a basic explanation of what happens when gambling becomes an addiction and will review screening methods and resources available to identify and treat problem gamblers and their families. For most people, gambling is harmless fun and entertainment, but for as many as 6% of Nevada adults, gambling can be an addiction with serious mental, physical and emotional health consequences.
To register for this event, contact
events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=nexwiipab&oeidk=a07eaoslzcz537233af