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
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Director, Gambling Recovery Ministries
