Mid-Central Problem Gambling Symposium -Oct 24-25, 2018
Mid-Central Problem Gambling Symposium -Oct 24-25, 2018
Mid-Central Problem Gambling Symposium
This educational program on Gambling Disorder and Recovery is hosted by the Indiana Council on Problem Gambling Indiana Council on Problem Gamblingand affiliates, This years conference will be held at the Lawrenceburg Event Center in Lawrenceburg Indiana. Lanie’s Hope will be presenting two sessions on Wednesday afternoon. “Hope and Healing” will look at the importance of Hope and Community in the recovery process. “No Wrong Door” explores the may pathways to recovery. Many individuals seek mutual aid 12-step programs, and that’s great! 12-Step programs are ONE door, but they’re not the only door. Faith-based recovery programs, secular programs, professional therapy and intensive outpatient are just a few alternative “doors.” As long as individuals struggling with Gambling Disorder seek help, there is nor wrong door to enter for recovery!
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
NCRG Conference – Las Vegas, NV Sept. 28-30, 2014
NCRG Conference – Las Vegas, NV Sept. 28-30, 2014
Conference on Gambling and Addiction
Gambling Addiction has impacted the lives of millions of people around the world. Countless public health leaders, clinicians, community leaders, researchers, industry members and regulators have worked tirelessly to help us understand more about gambling disorders to that we can provide effective prevention and treatment as well as reduce the stigma of addiction and mental illness.
National Center for Responsible Gaming
This year marks the 15th annual gambling addiction educational event sponsored by the NCRG (National Center for Responsible Gaming.) Immediately preceding the annual “G2E – Gaming Expo” in Las Vegas, this event provides valuable insights into the latest treatment, scientific research and trends in understanding, prevention and treatment of gambling addiction. Programming runs the gamut from Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance Commitment Therapy to updates on how the DSM-5 will impact treatment and insurance for problem gamblers to ‘Spirituality in treatment.’ Professionals in the Gambling Addiction treatment field can earn up to 14 hours of continuing education credits and for those who simply want to stay abreast of current research and treatment trends, this two-day event offers value for anyone involved in supporting problem gamblers and their families.
For more information, or to register, go to ncrg.org/public-education-and-outreach/conference
Gambling Addiction: Forget-itis or a Touch of Insanity?
Gambling Addiction – Insanity or “Forget-itis”?
Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity “doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result” is often espoused by those recovering from a Gambling Addiction. For some of us, we’ve coined the phrase “forget-itis” as much the same thing and very similar to what Bill Murray experienced in his movie “Groundhog Day” (1993) doomed to repeat his day over and over with the same results. Having spent almost twelve years in a 12-step group for gambling addiction, if I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone share their experience of doing the same thing over and over again, well, I would be rich!!
I did search the Internet for a definition or explanation for the term ‘forgetitis’ and although I was unsuccessful in that quest, I did find in Wikipedia the following: Read more →
It’s Only a Penny Machine!
June 18, 2013
The title says it all. “It’s only a penny machine. I don’t understand how I just blew another paycheck.” Unfortunately, this refrain is heard throughout 12-step rooms around the country and not just from the grandmother type, but from all walks of life. It’s true that it may be a penny machine, but many of these themed machines offer one the ability to play many pennies at a time or even change the denomination of the coin. Read more →
Internet Poker pulls the plug…or does it?
December 18, 2012
Don’t believe everything you read. At the very least..read on for ‘the rest of the story.’ Such was the case for me when I read this eye-popping headline in the Las Vegas Review Journal: “Reid Pulls the Plug on Internet Poker.” Say WHAT??!!
And then I read on…only to learn that Internet Poker’s “plug” was pulled for 2012. This on December 14th in a year when all eyes, ears and minds should be focused on the proverbial “Fiscal Cliff” vs. yet another gaming initiative.lvrj.com/news/reid-pulls-the-plug-on-internet-poker-for-this-year-183548271.html
Has the plug been “pulled?” No. The switch has been turned off for a mere few weeks until 2013. Internet gambling, social media gaming, online poker and more are hot issues for 2013. Read more →
Gambling Addiction Impacting our Service Men and Women
Today I was contacted by a concerned friend who’s loved one had recently returned from active duty service with a potential gambling problem. More information is surfacing regarding Military Service Personnel suffering a greater incidence of disordered gambling than the general population.
For a compulsive gambler, there is no “choice.” What may start out as recreation, crosses over into an emotional escape mechanism, to a mental health disorder recognized as such by the American Psychiatric Society since 1980. Those suffering with Disordered Gambling are known to have the highest suicide rate of any other segment of society. Media reports continue to note the increased incidence of suicide among our returning Veterans.
nytimes.com/2012/06/09/us/suicides-eclipse-war-deaths-for-us-troops.html
Greater numbers of returning Vets, increased incidence of compulsive gambling coupled with PTSD and heightened suicide in our Military are cause for concern, vigilance on the part of family members and loved ones and self-awareness among our returning Veterans. Help IS available and Problem Gambling IS treatable. If you are suffering from a gambling addiction, please reach out to friends, self-help groups, professional counselors and support groups. Pick up the phone and dial 1-800-522-4700.
Will you “Answer the Call”?
The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling has been doing more with less for several years. Recent budget cuts have impacted the Council’s ability to serve our community, and yet through the remarkable work of a small, focused and impassioned staff, this community service organization continues to provide exceptional resources on problem gambling, supports those impacted by problem gambling, and NEVER let’s the phone go unanswered! They need the support of our community! It is unfathomable to me that, as of this writing, only two individuals have contributed to this drive to keep the phone lines going. I can only guess that this is because the generous Las Vegas community does not know the need exists. Please consider a contribution to keep the phone line (a life line to many) alive!
www.razoo.com/story/Anyone-Anywhere-Anytime
Read more →
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 →
What I would do today…if I could
What I would do today…if I could
Bea Aikens
June 2, 2012 3pm
I would start my day with a savory cup of coffee, put on a little Jason Mraz, settle into my favorite Saturday morning chair, and dial the phone. I would call you like so many Saturday morning chats before today. Catch up on the latest news. “How are the kids?” “What’s new with Aunt Bea?” and then we would launch into our usual marathon of crazy, twisty, winding tales that only sisters can follow; let alone understand. I would laugh so hard my stomach would hurt as you relayed yet another story of the “cuckoos nest cubicle land” that was your workplace or some nutty situation you’d gotten yourself into…AGAIN. I would say, “Oh my GOSH! I can’t believe you DID THAT?” and you would say, “Oh Shut up…I’m telling a story here!” Read more →