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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
· 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 Jacobs
Founding
DirectorGambling Recovery Ministries
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 special perspectives on women and problem gambling, visit www.femalegamblers.info/
