National Conference on Problem Gambling – July 21 & 22, 2017

National Conference on Problem Gambling
July 21-22, 2017 Portland, Oregon

I have attended many National Conferences on Problem Gambling over the last 8 years – when I moved from “anonymity to advocacy.” This conference is rich in resources and the latest research on problem gambling – as well as treatment and advocacy information.  I’m happy to report that the National Council on Problem Gambling has proactively encouraged involvement of the recovery community in their programming.  This is so important, as the Recovery Community provides first hand knowledge that goes hand-in-hand with research and treatment.

NCPG – Portland, OR
July 21-22, 2017

At the 2016 conference, the National Conference on Problem Gambling invited folks in recovery to serve as “Recovery Ambassadors.”  Ambassadors were easily identified by special buttons provided for the event. Each morning there was an “open” Gamblers Anonymous meeting – for those in recovery and those who wanted to experience a meeting firsthand.  For this year’s event, the National Council on Problem Gambling requested presentations from the recovery community and will be offering at least 5 presentations from individuals in recovery.  We applaud this new, focused initiative with special attention paid to the community the Council serves!

For conference details, go the National Council on Problem Gambling’s website at National Conference on Problem Gambling

GASN Southern Nevada Mini-Convention March 25, 2017

Gamblers Anonymous Conference 

The annual GASN Southern Nevada Mini-Convention will be held Saturday, March 25th, 2017 from 8:00AM to 5:00PM. This event is open to members of Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon and anyone struggling with a gambling addiction. The price is $40 if registered by March 4th, $50 from March 5th – 19th.  Registration closes March 19, 2017.

For details – go to http://www.gasn.info2017-mini-convention-general-flyer

Lanie’s Hope is not affiliated with Gamblers Anonymous.  This information is provided for the benefit of our audience. Questions regarding this conference or any Gamblers Anonymous events should be directed to Gambler Anonymous of Southern Nevada at www.gasn.info or (702) 529-0202.

If you, or someone you know has a gambling problem and need immediate assistance, help is available 24 hours/day at (855)-222-5542

New Horizons in Responsible Gambling – Feb 20-22, 2017

New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference – Feb 20-22, 2017
Vancouver, BC
http://horizonsrg.bclc.com/about-the-conference.html

Join hundreds of industry professionals at the fifth annual New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference. This conference has become a hub of thought leadership in the industry, and an unmatched platform for speakers and sponsors to make an impact.

The 2017 conference will take place February 20 – 22, 2017 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Situated on the waterfront near some of Vancouver’s most famous attractions and restaurants, the Convention Centre is adjacent to the Pan Pacific Hotel.

This year’s conference will feature presentations from an impressive lineup of researchers, industry representatives, prevention specialists, and treatment specialists, who will discuss effective and innovative approaches to gambling and present strategies for healthy approaches and positive growth.

For attendees, New Horizons in Responsible Gambling can inform and inspire, and present new solutions to age-old issues. For presenters and sponsors, the conference is an unmatched opportunity to make an impact on the future of the industry.

Walk in Memory/Walk for Hope Sept 10, 2016

Lanie’s Hope Team
Walks in Hope

Walk in Memory/Walk for Hope- Sept 10, 2016 8AM, Bob Miller Middle School

2400 Cozy Circle, Henderson, NV

Lanie’s Hope’s proudly supports the Walk in Memory/Walk for Hope.  We walk to remember those who have been lost to suicide, to honor the family members and survivors, and to shine a light of hope for those who may be considering suicide. Compulsive Gamblers have the HIGHEST suicide rate of any group, with 1 in 5 compulsive gamblers considering or attempting suicide.

Last year’s walk  was dedicated to raising awareness of  gambling addiction and suicide.  I was honored and humbled to serve as the keynote speaker. I made a promise to myself and to my God to spend my life raising awareness of the social issues surrounding problem gambling. I would do ANYTHING within my power to prevent just one death due to a gambling related suicide. I believe that anyone reading this would too! So won’t you walk with us this year?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh9B5udpxKw

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 had not 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.

…And…it cost me my best friend. It cost her daughter and son the loss of a mother whom they loved dearly. It cost her grandson Colby his “Grandma Lanie” whom he still speaks of with such love and longing, even though he was only 3 years old when she died. It cost her the opportunity to ever know her Granddaughter “Lyla Lanie” or her Great Granddaughter and Great Grandson who have come into our family since Lanie died. Lane died at the age of 52. She was a lung cancer survivor! She survived 9 years post chemotherapy, only to succumb to a disease that is so insidious that no one knew she was still struggling with the addiction. We, her family and loved ones, thought she was in recovery. We thought she hadn’t gambled in years.

We were wrong. The disease of compulsive gambling is cloaked in secrecy and shame. The Suicide Prevention Coalition uses the term “Out of the Darkness” to describe their mission: taking suicide out of the darkness and into the light. The same philosophy must be applied to gambling addiction. When we illuminate the disease and raise awareness that gambling addiction (so often undetected as there are no tell-tail signs like slurred speech or a staggered walk) is a recognized mental health issue requiring treatment and therapy like any other addiction, we take it “out of the darkness.” This is my prayer, and this is the mission of Lanie’s Hope; to humanize and illuminate the disease of compulsive gambling.

I invite each of you to walk with us on Saturday, September 1, 2016, as we take suicide and gambling addiction out of the darkness and into the light.

Blessings,

Bea Aikens

To Register to Walk with Lanie’s Hope Team, Go to the “Merchandise” page, Select “Walk in Memory” and follow the prompts to register. There is no cost to register.

Kindly consider “wearing our colors” and proudly identifying yourself as part of “Team Lanie’s Hope!” T-shirts and apparel are available on the “Merchandise” page.