From the Executive Director 
Before I begin let me first just say that on behalf of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ that our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have suffered losses in these troubled times.
Summer is finally upon us. The past few months have been difficult for many people and have certainly been an adjustment for us at the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey. We have adjusted, like many of the readers of the Council Connection by adapting our behaviors, by heeding the advice of experts, and by acceptance. Many things have been beyond our control, but other things have not. In March, like so many other people, the members of the Council began to work remotely. This meant that working closely in the office was no longer part of the job. Monthly staff meetings were quickly replaced with weekly Zoom meetings. Each member of the staff began work on special projects in anticipation of a time when a more standard form of work could resume. We began an ongoing series of free webinars on Fridays on a variety of topics related to gambling.
Through it all though, the 800-GAMBLER hotline continued to be active. Casinos were closed and sports gambling nearly disappeared for a time, but internet gambling saw a very large increase behind a similar increase in advertising. Our network of treatment providers continued to get referrals and see clients. Many of our therapists and counselors began to treat clients by means of telehealth measures. Some continued to see clients in person throughout the quarantine. Some staff members took advantage of the time to learn new skill, while others drew closer to their family members. One staff member was awarded her Ph.D.! Congratulations to Olu Oyedele our Public Health Specialist.
For people with gambling problems and their families, for the readers of the Council Connection, for the Council, for the members of the Council the quarantine was an adjustment, but for many, we adjust and continue. In this issue, I have asked members of the Council to contribute an article from their perspective. If you or someone you know is having a problem with gambling, there is Support, Treatment, and Hope. It is just a call or click away. 800-GAMBLER.
Best Regards,
Neva Pryor, MS
Executive Director
. |
Double Down is an expression often heard being used by Gamblers. The bet was won so they place the entire amount on the next wager to double the winnings. Conversely the bet was lost. The next wager is doubled to recoup the amount lost.
During these trying times of COVID-19 public health implications, the economic impacts, the social justice concerns, and the trauma associated with these issues, perhaps there is an opportunity to double down.
Gambling has the potential for adverse economic, public health, and social impact outcomes. Gambling is normalized globally in every society, community, and demographic. To be clear, just because an individual gambles does not mean they have a problem. Gambling for many is an entertaining activity. The progression from entertainment to a problem does not occur overnight and can be hidden for several years. Individuals that develop gambling problems may not recognize a problem exists. Many that do become aware are unwilling to access resources that will help the problem gambler and their families deal with the behaviors and consequences of their problem gambling activities.
In the many years that I have been in the addiction and recovery field, the one thing that resonates the most is that addiction does not discriminate. Regardless of the disorder, whether it''s gambling, substance use, mental health or any of the myriad disorders that exist, addiction does not care what your beliefs are, how you identify yourself, whether you do or do not feel marginalized. It does not care.
Society is at a crossroad. Do we double down with greater zeal or do we let the opportunity pass us by? We must double our efforts as one people in advocacy, prevention, and treatment of disordered and problem gambling.
Frank Lazzaro
|
Gambling, Mental Health, & Substance Use
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ would like to continue to raise awareness of the importance of prevention of problem gambling as it is closely related to both substance use and mental health especially during this pandemic.
Gambling is closely associated with substance use as one can serve as a trigger to the other. For one, the association between alcohol use disorder and gambling disorder is often a result of the availability of alcohol in casinos and other venues that individuals with gambling issues tend to frequent. Many problem gamblers will turn to substance use to distract themselves from the financial loss and other gambling related problems. Research has shown that in a national sample of adults, the rate of problem gambling is 17% among those who have alcohol abuse or dependence, 14% among those with tobacco dependence and 33% among those with marijuana abuse or dependence. The researchers concluded that "frequent use of substances and substance abuse appear to be strong respective risk factors for frequent gambling and problem gambling" (Barnes, Welte, Tidwell, & Hoffman, 2015).
Gambling is also associated with mental illness, sometimes as the cause and other times as the result of an untreated mental illness. Research suggests that individuals with gambling disorder have been found to be 30 times more likely to have multiple (three or more) other lifetime psychiatric disorders compared to those without gambling disorder. Almost three quarters, 74% of this comorbidity precedes and may be a risk factor for the development of a gambling disorder rather than a gambling disorder serving as a risk factor for the development of other psychiatric disorders (Kessler, Hwang, LaBrie, et al. 2008).
We want to encourage substance use and mental health professionals, parents, and health educators to be aware of the signs of problem gambling and begin the conversation. While no prevention measure seems to be more effective than the gambler''s motivation to control their own gambling behaviors, putting in place effective protective factors and reducing the number of risk factors one has is extremely important in preventing problem gambling. This must be done proactively in settings such as local community; schools, workplaces, online (internet and mobile), senior housing/centers, gambling venues, health and welfare services, juvenile court, community centers, family support centers and treatment facilities.
Together we can all help prevent problem gambling and rather enjoy gaming responsibly.
As always, remember that HELP is always available! Call for help 24 hours per day, 7 days per week - 800-GAMBLER or Text ''800GAMBLER'' to 800GAMBLER
Visit www.800gambler.org for information, resources, or live chat
Attend a Gamblers Anonymous (GA) or Gam-Anon meeting in your area; meeting locations, times, and dates can be found by calling 800-GAMBLER or by visiting our website at www.800gambler.org
Olubukunola Oyedele, Ph.D., MPH
References
Barnes, G. M., Welte, J. W., Tidwell, M. C., & Hoffman, J. H. (2015). Gambling and Substance Use: Co-occurrence among Adults in a Recent General Population Study in the United States. International gambling studies, 15(1), 55-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/14459795.2014.990396
Kessler RC, Hwang I, LaBrie R, et al. (2008). The prevalence and correlates of DSM-IV pathological gambling in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Psychol Med38(9):1351-1360
|
This article briefly addresses the impact of the language we use. The full article written by George Mladenetz can be found at Dr. Mee-Lee''s "Tips and Topics" Newsletter at https://tipsntopics.com/march-2020/ Language of Recovery and Why It Is Important to Be Mindful of It! A pioneer in the field of gambling disorder, the late Dr. Rena Nora, a psychiatrist with over 25 years of experience, often prefaced her presentations by saying, "Treat people as people." This "person first" concept encourages us to view individuals with gambling disorder as people first and remember they were people before their addiction became an issue.
It is important to use the Language of Recovery because clients with gambling disorder often present having low self-esteem, feel devalued and stigmatized. The language spoken by clinicians can empower clients to believe in themselves and reinforce their ability to maintain recovery. The "addict" label suggests the whole person is the problem rather than the problem being the problem. Be mindful of stigma associated with gambling disorder. Stigma and shame have been identified as major barriers preventing individuals from seeking treatment. Decreasing stigma can encourage people to successfully seek and complete treatment. Michael Botticelli, former Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, has emphasized that reducing stigma allows family and friends of those affected by addiction can provide better social support and ensure their loved ones seek treatment. Be aware, proactive and remember Language of Recovery is evolutionary. You can start by becoming cognizant of your own attitudes and biases. Other suggestions include learning the Language of Recovery (https://attcnetwork.org/es/group/4/content/1062); demystifying treatment and recovery (e.g., scheduling "open house" events); checking the name of your program - Is it recovery oriented? With education and greater awareness, we can all help reduce stigmatizing language used by ourselves and others.
|
|
What a challenging time this has been. The gambling industry, like others, has seen job loss, revenue decline, and uncertain footing in the weeks and months to come. Whether concern over our own health, the health of others, job security, or operating under physical isolation, this has been a time that can test a person''s spirit and resiliency. At the core of maintaining a positive mindset is keeping the ''pilot light'' of our soul lit because that produces HOPE. While these times may feel like living in the other hot 4 letter H word, I prefer to live in Hope...the essence of life that is often unpredictable. Hope helps us to keep perspective around current situations that can be hard or unfair while believing in a better situation that is not yet seen. Things go out of hand and beyond our control many times each day but it is Hope that helps us to keep pressing on, to have the courage to remain calm in times of uncertainty, and to envision a better tomorrow. I choose Hope.
Dan Trolaro, Assistant Executive Director, 800-GAMBLER
|
|
Pride Month June 2020
The LGBTQIA communities come together during PRIDE MONTH to celebrate the freedom to be themselves as well as the accomplishments achieved. But most importantly, is unity in commemoration of all the struggles this community has faced in overcoming prejudice from those refusing to accept this community''s autonomy, and the individual''s right to pursue happiness.
Pride Month, June 2020, entered amidst a global pandemic which has caused countries to cancel most public events and parades. Although this community will not be able to celebrate as it is accustomed; marching in parades, they find themselves marching against causes all too familiar to them: systemic injustice, discrimination, police abuse and brutality, hate, inequality, oppression, and indifference.
We, at the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ, Inc., have worked closely with many LGBTQIA organizations throughout the state.. We consider ourselves an ally to the LGBTQIA communities. We are here to show support, to observe, to listen, and overall, we are open to be educated. These are most uncommon times and nothing about our current situation is normal.
We presently face and will continue to face unprecedented challenges and circumstances. We are however, all in this together, and we do not have to face those challenges alone. In working with the LGBTQIA community, we have assisted and referred individuals affected by problem gambling in the direction where recovery can begin or be continued. Many things have changed in our society, but we are still here providing support, treatment, and hope. So, if you, or someone you know is being affected by problem gambling, please call 800-GAMBLER. We are a phone call away every day, 24-hours a day.
Luis Del Orbe, MPA, CSW
|
|
Alice''s Perspective
I have worked for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ, Inc. for 27 years and am still very passionate about the 800-GAMBLER Helpline and the suffering of problem and disordered gamblers and their families that I have spoken with. I have listened while they lost their savings accounts, their homes, and their families. I have listened to them curse, cry, yell, and scream. I have listened to their pain, their remorse, and their humility. I have heard their brokenness and their despair. But with the help and resources they received I have also heard their hope. One can almost hear the pieces going back together again. Many times, the caller will call me one more time - to let me know that they no longer gamble, or their marriage is stronger than ever! It is through the 800-GAMBLER Helpline that I have witnessed miracles. I have seen many people with debt that I could never fathom - rise up from the ashes and become more successful than when they first started.
Today we also have our website, www.800gambler.org, and I have talked to many through this venue as well. The Council is able to offer much more treatment today. And let us not forget the person that will occasionally knock on our door. They saw our banner from the street! Those are my favorites! I get to hug them and tell them, with help, they are going to be okay!
Long live 800GAMBLER for Support, Treatment, and Hope.
Alice Ostapiuk, Human Resources Director
|
P.I.T.C.H - Counselor Support Group
Back in November of 2019 I started a counselor support group. I call this group by the acronym PITCH. PITCH stands for Professional and Interning Therapists, Counselors, and Helpers. The idea is that people in the helping profession have difficult jobs, and need an outlet for some of the job-related stress that they cannot share with families and friends.
During the COVID-19 quarantine this group has moved to a Zoom format. This has been a challenge and a great opportunity. I was surprised to find that some people flatly refused to attend a meeting online. I was pleasantly surprised that some others took advantage of the opportunity as geography was no longer a consideration. People from other counties attended the meeting online who would not have been able to drive the distance. Throughout the quarantine we struggled with attendance. This was another surprise. I would have expected that without drive time being a consideration, without childcare, without needing to get dressed up, attendance would have been at an all-time high, but it really was not. PITCH has just returned to an in-person format. We meet outside, socially distanced, with masks, but no longer online. I am sure it will take people some time to get used to the change and for us to build our network again. But I am committed to this group for the long term. Even though my work at the Council keeps me busy and I am a full-time student, I will continue to facilitate this group. I think it is important for people in the helping profession to be able to share that burden and to de-stress to be better prepared to help our clients and to be present for our families. If you want to join us, please do.
We meet every Thursday night at 8:30 at 600 South Odessa Ave in Egg Harbor City, NJ. There is no cost. No organization to join. PITCH is not affiliated with any group. You don''t have to RSVP but if you want information about it please feel free to contact me. My phone number is 609-328-0890 and my e-mail address is ken.litwak.2@gmail.com
Ken Litwak
|
For a complete calendar of events, listing of services, and printed materials please follow this link:
800gambler.org
|
|
|
|
|
Text Box
checklist
Arts and Entertainment
Business and Industry
Computer and Electronics
Games
Health
Internet and Telecom
Shopping
Sports
Travel
More