Gambling Recovery Ministries: Indiana Problem Gambling

POST 98

SEPTEMBER – AND EVERY MONTH – IS “RECOVERY MONTH”!

Sixteen years ago – September 2001 – is a time most people in America connect with the tragic attacks upon the United States: passenger planes became weapons of destruction and the victims were both in the air and on the ground.  Pennsylvania, the Pentagon, and Lower Manhattan became instant graveyards – the trauma of which has continued to challenge recovery within many hearts and minds.   

Sixteen years ago – September 2001 – is also a time those of us involved with Gambling Recovery Ministries remember well.  It was the official beginning month of a brand new initiative established by the South Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church.  With financial backing from the Conference, I (as designated Director) started from scratch: no governing Board, no office, no stated mission, no name.  A month later, with help from my District Superintendent, an Advisory Board of Directors was formed.  For several months, we worked on creating a mission statement – and a name.  We agreed: recovery was what we were all about.  While others thought we were formed to do away with gambling establishments, we saw our mission – rather - as one of offering help and hope to those affected, directly and/or indirectly, by problem gambling.  Gambling Recovery Ministries (GRM) was, indeed, the perfect description – and name – for this new outreach.  RECOVERY to a new life: for both the gambler and the loved ones effected by the dysfunction of compulsive gambling.

Over the years, GRM has witnessed many lives recovered and restored.  The testimonies are encouraging and very real.  That is why as each September approaches, the promises of recovery take on new and deeper meanings for me.  Moreover, I am grateful that this month of September is officially named “Recovery Month”.  The messages of hope, help, new life, and, yes, personal resurrection-recovery reassure millions across our nation of new beginnings - and an end to dependency and illness.  

A terrific and very helpful resource centering on the topic of personal recovery is SAMHSA – the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.  This month’s edition of the GRM Blog highlights material provided by SAMHSA.

The below information is found at the following website: https://www.recoverymonth.gov/sites/default/files/toolkit/2016/toolkit.pdf

“Every September, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (www.samhsa. gov), within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) (www.hhs.gov), sponsors National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) to increase awareness of behavioral health conditions. This celebration promotes the message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover from mental and/or substance use disorders.

Mental and/or substance use disorders affect millions of Americans and directly touch the lives of individuals, family members, neighbors, and colleagues. Families often deal with the complex dynamics of supporting a loved one in recovery while at the same time learning how to take care of their own well-being. Given the widespread impact and societal cost of these behavioral health conditions, it’s important for communities to make prevention, treatment, and recovery support services available and accessible for all who need them.

The prevalence of mental and/or substance use disorders is high. Among adults aged 18 or older, 43.6 million (18.1 percent of adults) had any mental illness in the past year.1 Approximately 21.5 million people age 12 or older were classified with a substance use disorder in 2014.2 In spite of their high prevalence, most Americans believe that recovery from a mental illness3 or a substance use disorder is possible.  (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Summary report CARAVAN® survey for SAMHSA on addictions and recovery. Rockville, MD: Office of Communications, SAMHSA. 5 SAMHSA Blog. (2012))

The Recovery Month website (www. recoverymonth.gov/) provides printable materials, web, television, audio, and social media resources to help communities encourage individuals to seek treatment and recovery services. § Share your recovery story and learn from others.

(www.recoverymonth.gov/personal-stories) § Find and post recovery events in the community

(www.recoverymonth.gov/events) § Watch the Road to Recovery television series

(www.recoverymonth.gov/road-to-recovery) § Download web banners and flyers to promote Recovery Month (www.recoverymonth.gov/ promote/banners-logos-flyers)

SAMHSA RESOURCES § SAMHSA’s Website (www.samhsa.gov/): Provides numerous resources and helpful information related to mental health and substance use issues. §

SAMHSA’s Find Help Webpage (www.samhsa. gov/find-help): Provides various links and numbers to mental and/or substance use disorder treatment and recovery services locators. §

 SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) – or 1-800-487-4889 (TDD) (www.samhsa. gov/find-help/national-helpline): Provides 24- hour, free, and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish. §

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800- 273-TALK (8255) (www.suicidepreventionlifeline. org/): Provides a free, 24-hour helpline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. §

SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatments and Services Webpage (www.samhsa.gov/treatment): Provides information on common mental illness and substance use disorders and how SAMHSA helps people access treatments and services. §

SAMHSA’s Homelessness Resource Center (homeless.samhsa.gov/): Provides resources about homelessness, mental illness, substance use, co-occurring disorders, and traumatic stress. §

SAMHSA’s Recovery and Recovery Support Page (www.samhsa.gov/recovery): Provides information on how recovery-oriented care and recovery support systems help people with mental and/or substance use disorders manage their conditions. §

SAMHSA’s Veterans and Military Families Webpage (www.samhsa.gov/veterans-militaryfamilies): Offers information about SAMHSA’s efforts to ensure that American service men and women and their families, can access behavioral health treatment and services. §

SAMHSA’s Wellness Page (www.samhsa.gov/ wellness-initiative): Promotes the improved wellness of people with mental and/or substance use disorders by engaging, educating, and training providers, consumers, and policy makers.

This list is not exhaustive of all available resources. Inclusion of websites and resources in this document and on the Recovery Month website does not constitute official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.”

One final note!

An excellent resource for family members of persons suffering from gambling addiction is from SAMSHA’s website.  This practical guide covers much of what loved ones need to know and prepare for as they deal with a family member/close friend who is a compulsive gambler.

This guide, Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers, is downloadable at:
 https://store.samhsa.gov/...Financial-Strategies-for...Loved-Ones...Gamblers/BKD535

 May each month be a significant Recovery Month (in all kinds of ways) to you!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs

Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
www.grmumc.org

For more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:

www.indianaproblemgambling.org
www.ipgap.indiana.edu
www.mdproblemgambling.com
www.gamblersanonymous.org
www.gam-anon.org
www.kycpg.org
www.pgnohio.org
www.calproblemgambling.org
www.christsd.com
https://masscompulsivegambling.org/