What’s in a Name?
May 22, 2013
Perhaps…HOPE, HELP and ultimately enhanced UNDERSTANDING and TREATMENT
Clinicians have long-awaited the release of the DSM-5, with the resultant recategorization and change in nomenclature for Gambling Addiction, from Pathological Gambling, Gambling Addiction, Compulsive Gambling and a variety of terms used to discern the varying degrees of severity of addiction, to the newly endorsed term of “Disordered Gambling.“
For those who suffer from a gambling addiction, or “Disordered Gambling” ….the name doesn’t matter. The category doesn’t matter. What matters is..access to treatment, being cared for with dignity as one who suffers from a serious illness versus an individual of weak morals and even weaker character. Gambling addiction is a progressive illness. By the time the afflicted individual reaches out for help, financial resources are decimated, familial relations are strained and help of any kind is hard to come by. There are a few low-cost outpatient treatment services available and, in most states, residential treatment, if available at all, is cost prohibitive and not underwritten by insurance or social services. Read more →
NCRG Conference on Gambling & Addiction Las Vegas,Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2012
Exploring New Trends in Recovery, Research and Responsible Gaming
September 30-October 2, 2012
Las Vegas, Nevada
The 13th Annual NCRG Conference on Gambling and Addiction will look at new trends in gaming, addiction and the science of recovery. Conference literature promises to examine timely issues such as “a redefinition of recovery”, health care reform, an emerging minority population, new treatment approaches and the growth of online gambling – trends directly impacting the way we treat, prevent ad study gambling disorders and responsible gaming.
ncrg.org/conference
How Can Employers Recognize a Gambling Problem?
And the BIGGER question is….what help can they offer employees with a gambling addiction?
July 29, 2012
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Responsible Gaming Education Week – July 30th-August 3rd, 2012. I must admit there are times when I’ve been skeptical of the Gaming Industry’s involvement in the preeminent funding mechanism for research in disordered gambling, the NCRG (National Center for Responsible Gaming.) Yes, there have even been times when I’ve gasped at NCRG-funded research espousing clinical findings of “Natural Recovery” in problem gambling; fearing compulsive gamblers may take this as a “free pass” to continue to gamble and await their own natural recovery, while continuing to devastate themselves and their families in anticipation of the miracle of natural recovery.
Today is not one of those days. Having just read the NCRG’s first volume of “Gambling and Health in the Workplace”, I have parked my skepticism; finding this publication to offer valuable information and resources for Employers and Human Resources professionals. The NCRG offers this resource at no charge at ncrg.org/gamblingandhealth
Read more →