June is Men’s Health Month, and people are encouraged to spread awareness of men’s health issues, suggesting early detection and treatment for both men and boys across the nation. As an organization dedicated to helping men and women who struggle with disordered gambling in New Jersey, we at the CCGNJ committed to raising awareness of serious men’s health conditions that are prevalent in the people we help.
Disordered gambling can contribute to many significant health problems, both physical and psychological. In this article, we will discuss the grave impact that sports betting in Atlantic City can have on a person’s health and why early detection and treatment, two of the primary objectives of Men’s Health Month, are essential for maintaining long-term personal health.
Physical Health
When a person’s gambling activities begin to develop into a gambling disorder, he or she will unsurprisingly become strapped for cash. When this happens, he or she will start to make unhealthy decisions. Making unhealthy food choices and forgoing visits to the doctor are two common behaviors of disordered gamblers which adversely affect a person’s overall physical health.
For many health conditions, early detection and treatment are essential to both recovering quickly and spending less on treatment. For example, a disordered gambler may choose to ignore dental cavities, which will eventually worsen and require a tooth extraction or dental surgery and possibly lead to a severe infection, which could have been prevented by a simple dental visit.
Mental Health: Depression & Suicide
Physical ailments are not the only consequences of disordered gambling. Many people who have a gambling disorder become severely depressed, resulting from a lack of money and weakened relations with friends and family, among other things. This depression can contribute to the person’s unwillingness to seek treatment and can degenerate into suicidal thoughts and tendencies.
If you or a loved one is showing signs of depression or suicidal tendencies, contact our 24/7 helpline immediately at 800-GAMBLER.
Substance Misuse
Another consequence of disordered gambling for many is an uptake in substance misuse. In many cases, disordered gamblers, who often lose social status and ties to close friends and family, turn to alcohol and illegal drugs as a coping method for their disorder.
With little money, worsening health conditions, and a substance misuse problem, a disordered gambler’s life can quickly plunge into an unhealthy and dangerous state. If you or someone you know is battling a gambling and alcohol addiction in Trenton or anywhere else in New Jersey, call our helpline 800-GAMBLER at any time for support.
During Men’s Health Month, the CCGNJ is helping to spread awareness of men’s health issues that commonly affect disordered gamblers and compound the problems they face. If you or someone close to you has a gambling disorder, encourage them to not only seek help by calling 800-GAMBLER but to address all physical and mental health issues before they develop into a more severe condition.