March is NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH! (Post 68)
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015
Post 68
March is NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH!
During this month of March, watch for the P’s!!
Programs, Posters, PowerPoints, Panel discussions, Papers, Public health announcements, and Press releases on becoming aware of problem gambling …
in one’s family, circle of friends, workplace, church pew, and/or oneself!
Across the nation, there is a growing awareness of gambling addiction and how this devastating disease is impacting all ages and economic levels … and society, in general. In keeping with the theme of awareness, this edition of the GRM Blog will highlight the signs and symptoms of problem and compulsive gambling. It’s not always a condition that’s easy to spot. Sometimes, problem gambling is masked as “a money problem” or “we [spouses] just don’t get along anymore” or “(s)he’s always late for work and her/his projects are usually late now” or “his/her grades have really slipped and (s)he’s always on edge.”
Here is a listing of symptoms to look for when a person is experiencing problems with gambling:
Preoccupied with gambling (i.e., reliving past gambling experiences, planning the
next venture, or thinking of ways to get money to gamble)
· Secretive about his/her gambling habits, and defensive when confronted
· Increasing bet amounts when gambling in order to achieve the desired excitement
· Trying unsuccessfully to control, cut back, or stop gambling
· Restless or irritable when not gambling
· Gambling to escape problems
· “Chasing” losses with more gambling
· Lying to family and others about the extent of gambling
· Jeopardizing or losing relationships, jobs, education, or career opportunities because of gambling
· Relying on others to bail him or her out to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
See references below for help if a gambling problem is indicated by a number of “yes” answers to these problems!
Also, for this month’s GRM Blog, I am pleased to announce that the Mid-Central Alliance on Problem Gambling is holding an Educational Conference that will prove to be of significant assistance to professional problem gambling counselors. Here are the details!
Time: Tuesday/Wednesday, March 24 and 25
Location: Indianapolis, IN at the Holiday Inn, 251 E. Pennsylvania Pkwy.
Register for both days: www.ipgap.indiana.edu
CEUs granted: 14
FOCUS:
THE STUDY OF THE ENNEAGRAM
Presented by Renee Siegel, MA, LISAC, NCGC-II
The word “enneagram” refers to a symbol with nine points, referencing nine types of perceptions of reality (personalities) and the movement between them. The study of the enneagram is very useful in growing your self-awareness, growing tolerance and understanding of others, [and] understanding how we each operate on “automatic pilot”, sometimes even when we don’t want to. However, when we step back and examine these nine types with nine habitual patterns of thinking, feeling, and doing, we can see ourselves more clearly and make changes.
Finally, plans are continuing for ongoing trainings in Kentucky for the Clergy/Lay Ministers Certification in Gambling Addiction Prevention, Education, Awareness, and Spiritual Outreach Care by the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board. For more information on this new national certification – and how you can register for the trainings AND bring it to your State – contact the American Board at (609)588-9338 or e-mail ccgnjalice@aol.com
Blessings,
Rev. Janet JacobsFounding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
For more information on help with problem gambling, go to www.gamblersanonymous.org
For Gambling Awareness Month Resources, visit www.npgam.org You will find the following resources: infographic, resource guide, sample proclamations, press releases, and grassroots media outreach.
For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, go to www.grmumc.org
For special perspectives on women and problem gambling, visit www.femalegamblers.info/
Posted by Gambling Recovery Ministries at 9:30 PM