While there is an incredible focus on drug and alcohol recovery every September for National Recovery Month, we must make sure that problem gambling help is also available for those who seek recovery for an often misunderstood addiction. Gambling addiction requires no pills or syringes. It simply requires two things: Money (or any asset) and two parties that are willing to risk it.
Casinos are accessible year-round, but prime time sports betting season is only a few months per year. Every September and October, sports and fantasy sports become glorified. The NFL and NCAA football seasons begin, and Major League Baseball’s playoff tournament kicks off and crowns a champion. Football bettors have been anxiously waiting since February to get their betting fix, and many enormous (and illegal) sportsbooks emerge across the US.
In this comparison, bookies, casinos and online betting sites act as the drug dealer and gambling acts as the drug that can easily be abused. It is paramount to increase awareness of problematic gambling disorders, mental illness and substance use and celebrate the people who are recovering every day, as well as the professionals helping them through treatment. Many times, these disorders coexist together, and this is why we are here to help in any way we can.
If you’ve read our blog on gambling and its associated risk of suicide, you know that losing money is not the worst case scenario. Bettors often become aggressive, depressed and even suicidal when they gamble their way into a deep dark hole of debt that they cannot repay. This is why it is critical to get people help as soon as possible. Every second matters, and even a text message or tweet can help save a life.
We offer a slew of online and offline resources designed to help with gambling disorders. We have a Gamblers Anonymous meeting list, a 24/7 helpline and textline and multiple brochures that help families identify warning signs and create action plans to help loved ones begin their recovery journey.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ has helped people recover from sports betting problems in Freehold, NJ, and the entire Tri-State area. Whether you are seeking help for your sports betting in Monmouth, NJ, or your casino addiction around Atlantic City, a quick phone call to 1-800-GAMBLER can help put things into perspective and help you take the right steps to starting your recovery.
It doesn’t have to be National Recovery Month to turn your life around. You can do it. Hope is here. The time is now.