Post 11

Indeed … A Blessed Christmas to You!
In recent years, it seems that each December presents me with conversations about the upcoming holiday season. Yes, words of excitement and joyful anticipation are spoken – at times. However, it is, certainly, not uncommon to hear personal laments concerning the rush-rush-rush to amass gifts, decorations, and rich holiday foods.

In the midst of it all, I recall the Christmas, several years ago, when my father died. Unexpectedly Dad, almost 93 years old, broke his hip and passed on a few days later, right before Christmas. Hit by a monster blizzard, unexpectedly (again) conducting my own father’s funeral service, travel plans drastically altered … I didn’t care if there weren’t any decorations, stockings, tree, fruitcake, or even cookies. The calendar contained the date December 25 but it was like no other 12/25 experienced before.
That year reminded me, continuously, as we ploughed through the holiday season, of others – known and unknown – who suffer tragedy within their daily lives – regardless of any special date. Unfortunately, many folks are not immune to debilitating difficulties brought on by dysfunction. Families touched by addiction may even dread holidays deemed by society to be filled with happiness and love.

The families of compulsive gamblers (not yet in recovery) may very well anticipate the shutting off of electricity instead of a brightly lit Christmas tree. A loved one may be in prison for gambling offenses. A loved one may chose to gamble and not participate in a holiday event or gathering. Sadness, anger, fear … all may reign in the lives of those affected by compulsive gambling.

How then, can life be lived … special times remain special … blessings (of all kinds) be experienced – when dysfunction from compulsive gambling reaches into and impacts the lives of wives, husbands, children, siblings, and friends? Humbly, I offer the following suggestions – and pray that they may be of special help.

• Contact Gam-Anon Phone: (718) 352-1671 and
  Web Site: http://www.gam-anon.org/ for specific advice and real-life consultation with persons directly affected by compulsive gambling. They know what you are experiencing and they truly care.
• Ask for spiritual help. Consult with a clergy person and ask specifically for prayer.
• Be deliberate about involving all family members in a holiday project – especially one with a giving-to-others nature. Working in a community soup kitchen, reading together holiday literature selected at the library, or just saying holiday greetings to persons met in public: thus barriers of self-imposed isolation and feelings of aloneness can be broken.
• Tailor-make limits and boundaries ahead of the special holiday so that expectations will be realistic to your setting. Don’t compare. Find excitement in celebrating your own unique context.
• Look for and find the spiritual essence of your celebration. Attend a special service. Read holy literature. Say prayers for each other.
  
  May God, indeed, bless you with divine love that affirms, strengthens, and brings you peace!

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries

Post 10

More Federal Legislation ... in the Oven??

September's Blog carried a notice that the reality of legalized internet gambling may be just around the corner. H.R.2267 - the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act - passed out of House committee and would be headed for debate on the floor. (See Post 9, dated September 19, for more information on this proposed piece of legislation.)

Now, comes recent news that two other bills are bringing into focus further concerns with regard to gambling in America. H.R. 2906 proposes to amend the Public Health Service Act to specifically include problem and pathological gambling in programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Included, also, in this bill are provisions to establish a national program to address the harmful consequences of problem gambling.

The Senate's version of the House bill is S. 3418 - the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act of 2010. Similarly, this bill proposes to amend the Public Health Service Act to include, in programs of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, programs to research, prevent, and address the harmful consequences of pathological and problem gambling.

What is important for all of us to know is that there are murmurings of concerted efforts to combine the House bills - in other words, to lump the legalization of internet gambling along with a national program to address harm resulting from compulsive gambling.

My question is WHY do these two very different pieces of legislation need to be under one heading? Surely, I am in favor of a national outreach that is designed to deal with the harmful consequences of problem/pathological gambling. This would indicate both a prevention focus and substantial help to those adversely affected by gambling addiction. Could not this focus of national dimension be significant enough to stand alone? Again, obviously, I think so.

However, the bill calling for the legalization of internet gambling opens up an entirely different category of concern. Once more, I ask: why should this be lumped with an entirely different piece of legislation? Most assuredly, there are distinctly, different camps of opinion on these two very different issues. (For consideration of red flags concerning internet gambling, see Post 9 of the GRM Blog.)

In addition, we need to be aware that these bills may very well be introduced during the Lame Duck Session following the elections in November. Representatives and Senators do pay attention to direct-to-their-offices phone calls and letters. Please, write/call your Congressional representatives and give them your opinion of such proposed legislation - and how these pieces should be officially presented. Your voice truly does count!

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues,
visit http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries 

Post 9

Legalized Internet Gambling Approaching Reality?

Will internet gambling soon become legal in our country? Most recently, the U.S. House of Representatives Finance Committee has caused a stir of debate and discussion over this topic. Eventually, H.R.2267 - the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act - passed out of committee. Introducing this bill, Representative Barney Frank defended it as he argued that the federal government's purpose is not to prevent individuals from making foolish legal purchases.

Still, there were amendments added in effort to provide potentially safer curbs to internet gambling. These additions to the bill are the following:

• a provision stating that persons behind on child support payments will be blocked from legalized internet gambling by the sites themselves;
• any sites that disregard U.S. laws, with respect to internet gambling, will be blocked from obtaining a license;
• a database of statistics will be created; such a base will not reveal private information with regard to gamblers' identities.

H.R. 2267 will now move to the House floor for consideration and debate.

With this immediately in mind, let us take a moment to review certain key aspects of internet gambling that wave several, significant red flags of impending danger:

• accessibility to gambling will become a 24-7/ no-need for transportation/ no-need for leaving home activity;
• therefore, internet gambling may, very well, encourage secret betting and increased personal isolation;
• many children have access to their parents' credit cards and many parents are unaware of their children's PC activities

Keep ears and eyes upon this bill. Contact your U.S. Representative.

Learn more about the dangers of internet gambling at:

http://www.800gambler.org/ArticleDetails.aspx?ContentID=53

http://www.800gambler.org/ArticleDetails.aspx?ContentID=12

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues,

visit http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries 

Post 8

School's In! Let the Gambling Begin??



Yellow buses roaming neighborhood streets, school parking lots full, back packs and lunch boxes on sale, and "Freshmen Welcome!": all signs that school is back in session. Then too, on college campuses, there are other indications of, once-again, student activity: abundant credit card applications, laptops in every dorm room, the shuffle of cards, and the jingling of poker chips in student gathering spots. Signs of on-campus gambling ... or, at least, fertile grounds for student gambling? You betcha.



But let's not limit this assumption to the college arena. Several years ago, a friend employed by a nearby school system, shared with me what had happened one day. After lunch, sixth graders had excitedly reported to him "Mr. ---, we've been gambling!" Of course, my friend passed on this communication with a prompt message to the principal. Turns out, the kids had been playing poker in the cafeteria for money. Gladly, I can share that there was follow-up by the administration to this incident.



An exceptionally rare event? Perhaps in some schools. Perhaps, not. Children may begin gambling as early as grade school age (age 10) and usually continue their gambling over a number of years. Keith Whyte, Director, National Council on Problem Gambling, observed in 2006, that “Approximately 70 percent of kids between the ages of 12 and 17 have gambled at least once in the past year. That’s the highest [percentage] in our nation’s history.” (Current Health 1, February 2006). That was more than four years ago. Have things changed since then? I welcome comments to this Blog in answer to that question.

On the college scene, the National Council on Problem Gambling reports the rate of gambling on sports by college students is twice as high as that of adults. Also noted by NCPG is that an estimated 30% of 18 million college students will gamble on sports this year alone (2007). Once more, that was three years ago ... Remember, gambling is not limited to sports betting. On-line gambling , with all of its built-in dangers, is quite accessible with over 2,000 websites and the point spread is highly publicized in the media. Of course, poker games may dot campasses like raindrops on a windshield during a thunder storm.

What then, are signs of a child/teen/young adult problem gambler? Mainly, look for the following:
* missing school, activities, or other events due to gambling
* grades dropping
* displays an intense interest in sports related literature or sporting events on TV
* makes a few calls a week to sports phone
* gambling jargon has increased during conversation
* large amounts of money or an exaggerated display of clothes or jewelry are shown
* gambles to escape worry or trouble
* family members or friends have noticed a change in personality (irritable, sarcastic) * money is heavily borrowed and some personal or family items are missing

Let us remember that this is the first generation of Indiana youth who have been exposed to legalized gambling and an array of advertising (for various gambling venues) throughout their lives. Youth who have an addiction to gambling are more likely to have:

(1) parents with gambling problems
(2) become involved in illegal activities
(3) experience suicidal thoughts
For information on treatment and support recovery groups, go to http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries 

Post 7

Do You Know ...

about Indiana's Voluntary Exclusion Program?

Did you know that there are currently over 1,374 people in Indiana who are participating in the Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP) from our State's casinos?

Word from the Indiana Problem Gambling Treatment Resource Network describes this program as one that allows individuals to self exclude from all Indiana casinos by completing just one form.

Below is the bare-bones information on enrollment and removal.

ENROLLMENT: A person may sign up at any Indiana casino or at the Indiana Gaming Commission office in Indianapolis for one year, five years, or lifetime exclusion.

The list of excluded persons is confidential. A Request for Voluntary Exclusion Form must be completed in person, witnessed by a gaming agent or staff member. Once enrolled, it is the responsibility of the VEP participant to stay away from gaming areas of the casinos.

REMOVAL: A person signed up for one or five years may request removal from the program at the expiration of that time period.

A Request for Removal Form must be completed in person, witnessed by a gaming agent or staff member. Pending Indiana Gaming Commission approval, the person will then be removed from the program.

You can obtain more information about this program at www.in.gov/gaming or by calling the Indiana Gaming Commission at (317) 234 - 3600.

For information on a brochure containing information on the VEP program contact the Division of Mental Health and Addiction: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration at (317) 232 - 7800 or www.in.gov/fssa/dmha

This can be a very motivating factor in helping gamblers to abstain from casino gambling!

Does anyone have success (or not) stories to share on the VEP Program?

For further information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries 

Post 6

Compulsive Gambling: Isn't It Like Any Other Addiction?

Recently, I had a conversation with a person with a professional background in counseling. She shared that she had counseled problem gamblers and then finished the sentence exclaiming, An addiction is an addiction is an addiction! They are all the same. Believe me, it wasn't the first time I had heard such a pronouncement.

Interestingly, this will be a featured topic in our upcoming Gambling Recovery Ministries' newsletter, the grm Resource Center. For a sneak peak, I am including a few details that will be discussed in distinguishing compulsive gambling from substance abuse and chemical dependency. Keep in mind that problem gambling and other addictive behaviors can intermingle, possibly blunting the uniqueness of compulsive gambling.

• While there is loss of control in all addictions, compulsive gambling is not self-limiting. It is not expected that excessive gambling would lead to intoxicated stupors.
• Gambling is easier to hide: no track marks, alcohol on the breath, etc.
• Children have a more difficult time understanding the compulsive gambling illness of their parents
• The intensity of family anger is stronger with multiple secrecy issues associated with the gambler's misuse of money
• There is less public awareness and acceptance of compulsive gambling as an illness

For these distinguishing differences and others, compulsive gambling is often considered less as a mental health issue - and more as an individual's moral weakness and problem. Unfortunately, when problem gambling is viewed only as a personal moral failing, treatment and support group therapy may not be regarded as viable options for the problem gambler's recovery. And that presents yet another difference between compulsive gambling and chemical dependency!
For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries 

Post 5

Finding Those Materials on Problem Gambling



Starting out in 2001 - without ready access to printed materials on compulsive gambling - was a challenge. Now, nine years later, our GRM Resource Center's inventory, located at Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church (Aurora, IN), provides witness to years of collaborative sharing and steady creation. I cannot say enough about the generous sharing by colleagues acquainted through professional networking!


A great place to begin the search for material is the National Council on Problem Gambling (http://www.ncpgambling.org/) and the various State Councils on Problem (or Compulsive) Gambling. Check out Indiana (http://www.indianaproblemgambling.org/), Arizona (www.azcg.org/), Connecticut (http://www.ccpg.org/), Florida (http://www.gamblinghelp.org/), and Nevada (http://www.nevadacouncil.org/) to name a few. The New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling (http://www.800gambler.org/) has created a fantastic multi-grade curriculum for students; and the UCLA Gambling Studies Program(www.uclagamblingprogram.org/treatment.html) includes a self-help workbook entitled Freedom from Problem Gambling. Keep on looking through the different State Councils' web sites and you will discover quite a treasure trove!

A super source of information is the Shawnee Regional Prevention and Recovery Services, Inc.,(http://www.parstopeka.com/) of Topeka, KS. Then there is one of my favorites: the booklet, Pathological Gambling & Chemical Dependency, available through Project Turnabout/Vanguard in Granite Falls, MN (http://www.projectturnabout.com/) . Gamblers Anonymous and Gam-Anon, also, have printed materials available on their web sites (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/) and (http://www.gam-anon.org/)

Moreover, the growing number of invitations to present GRM workshops has generated quite a variety of Gambling Recovery Ministries PowerPoints, handouts, and brochures. All are tailor-made to specific areas of focus: Teens, Women, Seniors, Developing Outreach,
A, B, C's of Problem Gambling, Spiritual Considerations, etc. For more information on GRM's free materials, call the Resource Center at (812) 926-1052.

If you have any questions about these resources and Gambling Recovery Ministries' materials, give us a call!



For more information about problem gambling, visit our GRM web site.




Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries

March and April 2010 Revisited!

Post 4
As I glance at the calendar, I am reminded that April is almost over and that March is already history! Indeed, these two months hosted several functions at which Gambling Recovery Ministries participated. As usual, the variety of opportunities to tell the good news of help and hope for those affected - directly and indirectly - by compulsive gambling ranged from providing information booths at health fairs, to workshops presented at professsional continuing education conferences, to pulpit presentations.

At the State of Ohio 2010 Perspectives in Problem Gambling Symposium, on March 10, I presented the Workshop "PROBLEM GAMBLING: A Practical Primer for Pastors and Faith-Based Counselors". This presentation included The Spiritual Arena of the Compulsive Gambler, Tips & Tools, and Lessons Learned. To a very interested audience, many topics were explored; and much appreciation was expressed by the attendees for the multiple handouts given on gambling addiction and recovery issues.

On April 6, I presented the Workshop "Teen Gambling: An Emerging Concern for a Healthier America" during the Annual State Conference of the Indiana Public Health Association and Indiana University Department of Applied Health Science. Again, the workshop participants showed much interest in the topic and much appreciation for the many handouts. Interestingly, a couple of attendees spoke about the prevalence of texting by today's teens. In the days following the conference, I thought about this and wondered if such a fast and easy mode of comunicating would become a growing factor in the ways that bet-placing might occur.

Then a recent report given on national television added more to my thoughts on this topic. Apparently, sending text messages is not only regarded as convenient and expedient but also it has become - for some teens - an everpresent, ongoing habit. The immediacy of a reply - again, for some - provides a heightened sense of pleasure. As a former teacher, I thought about the potential challenge of this kind of communication going on in the classroom. As a parent, I remembered how telephone calls could seem to make a teenager's day. As a pastor in addiction ministries, I contemplate the negative potential that texting might bring to the user who grows dependent on instant replies - and plenty of them. Could this become an addiction? As Director of Gambling Recovery Ministries, I question: could this, somehow, enhance an already growing other addiction or compulsive behavior?

Although these thoughts and questions may not have treatment answers to them, at the present, I believe that they serve as a reminder: a reminder NOT to underestimate the impact of something that could bring instant gratification - for any age.

Have you thoughts or concerns on this issue - or on other topics related to problem gambling and recovery? Let me hear from you with your comments to this Blog!

For more information on Problem Gambling go to http://www.grmumc.org/

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries

Post 3

Frontier Ministry

The initial funding from South Indiana Conference had come through – at least for the first year or two. I would keep on with the parish ministry, as well, while working to get Gambling Recovery Ministries up and running. So what should happen first? My District Superintendent said that we needed a Board of Directors – and that he would help with recruitment. Basically, it turned out to be an easy task. Our group was a committed one – fascinated with the challenge of outreach to persons affected by problem gambling ... and to creating something new.

We just didn’t know how new our ministry would be.
Of course, there were goals and a mission statement to put together. And so the work began. Initially, we figured there just had to be a similar ministry to problem gamblers: one that addressed gambling addiction with the basic focus of recovery. We would find out how such a ministry functioned – and then, simply pattern our efforts after this model. No such luck, we discovered quickly. (Dare, I use that word?)

Yes, there were treatment facilities and counseling agencies – though not many that specialized only in treating compulsive gamblers. And there were some ministries that included a focus on addictions, in general. Still, we continued to look for a single-focus type of outreach to gamblers and their families.

What we did find within church parishes, however, was the lack of informative resources about problem gambling recovery issues – and the lack of knowledge about gambling addiction, period.

What, then, were we to do on this frontier of ministry?
Not long after our first Board meeting, I decided to go directly to the experienced – those who knew compulsive gambling best – and who knew recovery, as well.

I picked up the phone and called the Gamblers Anonymous Hot Line in Cincinnati. As luck would have it, the GA volunteer manning the phone caught the vision of GRM – immediately - and invited me to an Open Meeting in the area. It turned out to be an event called a Pinning – a special celebration of abstinence from gambling by a GA member. I was moved. The evidence was clear: new life was being celebrated by both the gambler and the family members.

Nine years later, I am still moved. I continue to witness the recovery of gamblers – and their loved ones – through Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-A-Non, and treatment.

Still, there was much to be developed in GRM’s outreach to those affected by problem gambling. How could we effectively be of help to compulsive gamblers and their families? We continued to discover that in pioneering this new ministry ...

we had much to learn!

Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries

Post 2

It was a cold and snowy night …
I closed Post 1 with a promise to explain GRM’s logo in the next entry. As mentioned before, there is a story behind this! While you read on, you might take an occasional glance at the logo. Most likely, by story’s end, you will be able to see how the symbolism in the logo matches our narrative.

In the beginning … and even before the story begins

It had been an exciting five years for Quercus Grove United Methodist Church in rural Switzerland County, Indiana. God’s assurance of provision and guidance had embodied their expanding food pantry ministry right from the start. It was not only a surprise to this congregation, numbering 30-some in membership, to be asked to provide the only food bank in the county, but also, it proved to be an amazing – and rewarding - stretch of faith to all involved. The two room church without plumbing turned into a multi-building site housing kitchen and bathroom facilities, modest warehouses, and a grocery free-store. South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church supplied two portable buildings; food poured in from a variety of unexpected sources; and church members from other neighboring congregations helped during the monthly Food Pantry Sundays. The Feeding of the Multitudes gospel story took on deeper levels of revelation for the Quercus Grove faithful as their ministry grew far beyond expectation.

January 2001
Encouraged by such renewed energy and growth, a Conference Staff member and my District Superintendent invited me – as Quercus Grove’s pastor – to meet with them over dinner one wintry evening in January 2001. Basically, we met to talk about further outreach possibilities in the southeast corner of the State. During dessert, the lady turned to me and said, “Janet, you have lived in this area for quite a long time; and you have seen the riverboat casinos come. Have you heard any stories of persons who have been affected by problem gambling? Indeed, local talk contained this information and I shared a couple of the stories. Then she asked what has become known as …

THE question:

What are the churches doing about it?

In other words, what are the churches doing to reach out to persons

affected, directly and/or indirectly, by gambling addiction?

Although I could give examples of persons debilitated by compulsive gambling, I had no answer for her second question. Soon the two began talking about developing a new ministry – one that would reach out to problem gamblers and their loved ones. The more they talked, the quieter I became. Finally, my DS turned to me and announced:

“We even have a Director for this new ministry!

And she is … Rev. Janet Jacobs!” To be honest, I wanted to flee.

Although I found recovery stories from other addictions to be compelling, accounts describing compulsive gamblers repulsed me. That evening, it was my earnest hope that this dinner conversation would soon be forgotten, once we returned to our homes.

Instead, that snowy evening marked the beginning

of what was to become Gambling Recovery Ministries. Intrigued and inspired, South Indiana Conference Council on Ministries Director, suggested the new ministry’s name. At Annual Conference, in June, funding from South Indiana Conference was approved to start this new outreach.

The months following GRM’s official beginning, were filled with organizational steps and much learning about disordered gambling and recovery issues. Each step we took seemed like a crossroad, progressively moving us into ministry with hurting people, devastated by gambling addiction. During these initial steps, the personal motivation, that I was, at first, sorely lacking, began increasingly to build - to create and grow this unique ministry to problem gamblers and their loved ones.

Ahead of us and by our side, God

opened doors and provided opportunities for us to traverse each new crossroad and continue to take the steps essential in developing the ministry. We counted on the Holy Spirit’s leadings and steady direction!

The Flames:

God’s Holy Spirit surrounds the path GRM continues to take

in reaching out

to problem gamblers and their families.

The Cross:

Christ’s love for all overarches

each

step of ministry we take,

crossroad we meet,

and decision we make.

Next Post: A Frontier Ministry!

For warning signs of problem gambling, visit our web site.

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries

Welcome!

Greetings and welcome to the initial Post of Gambling Recovery Ministries’ Blog! As Director – and founder – of Gambling Recovery Ministries (otherwise known as GRM), I will be writing posts on a variety of topics about compulsive gambling. Included will be stories of GRM’s beginnings, how we ever got started, and lessons learned.

With total respect for anonymity, I will share insights gained from meeting and becoming friends with persons in recovery. And you’ll find bite-sized bits of research learned at professional conferences on problem gambling too. Also, I’ll keep you posted on GRM’s latest steps in outreach to problem gamblers and their loved ones.

At Gambling Recovery Ministries’ onset, I knew very little about compulsive gambling – and even less about treatment resources and recovery issues. That was 2001. Much has been learned in eight years!

A high priority was – and continues to be – learning, learning, learning about gambling addiction. Completing Indiana’s 60 hour State training on compulsive gambling treatment issues and attending numerous conferences, lead me on the training/teaching path. In recent years, GRM has presented continuing education workshops on local, State, regional, national and international levels for mental health professionals and clergy. We have even put on three training conferences!

Most importantly, GRM works with individuals seeking recovery. We provide referral information and – what I call - supportive consultation. In fact, this help extends to both the gambler and his/her loved ones. Our aim is to give information about problem gambling and point the way to treatment and support groups. People literally leave the GRM Office and Resource Center with bags full of literature!

GRM provides spiritual support, as well. The word Ministries in GRM means just that. We are open to persons of all faiths – and to those who are not faith-based. We provide prayer, when requested; and there have been wondrous answers to prayers said. Then too, there is free-range discussion on faith issues relating to addiction. Among the recovery materials are faith-based helps, also.

As we take this new step of blogging, I invite you to travel with us too. Ask questions, post comments, share information! Post 2 will explain GRM’s logo, as viewed in this Blog. There is a story behind this – definitely. Look carefully: perhaps, you will be able to figure out part of the story already!

Blessings,
Janet


Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
Indiana Conference Advance Special
The United Methodist Church