Problem Gambling in Michigan
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Escape gambling includes random games or games of chance such as lotteries, scratch tickets, slot machines, bingo and pull tabs. This type of gambling typically follows a six month to three year progression. There may be co-occurring disorders such as depression, chronic pain, history of trauma and loss. Twenty-four to forty percent of problem escape gamblers have attempted suicide. Both action and escape gamblers may require treatment for alcohol or drug dependence, cognitive distortion and dual disorders.
Most of this material is taken from printed material from John Howard Society; Problem Gambling Awareness Project.
Your first decision after meeting with a gambling treatment therapist is to decide whether you want to take control of your gambling so as to reduce the harm to you and others (for every problem gambler there are twelve people adversely effected) or to abstain from gambling. You will need to make the decision to abstain if you attend GA (Gamblers Anonymous).
You may decide at first to limit the harm and then discover that isn't working so you move to a program of abstinence. Your counselor will help you set up your treatment goals but you will be the one to select your goal for recovery.
SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU STAY ACCOUNTABLE.
Limit the amount of:
________________ Money I am willing to lose
________________ Time I will spend at the casino
________________ Money I will win and leave immediately
________________ Times a month I will gamble
Other controls:
_______________ Don't gamble alone
_______________ Don't gamble when under the influence of negative emotions
_______________ Call someone when you leave and return home from gambling
_______________ Leave extra cash, banking or credit cards, and cheques at home
_______________ Mandatory 15 min. break (walk around) every two hours of play
_______________ Do not drink alcohol while at the casino
_______________ Make plans for your day before and after gambling
_______________ Set banking card up as deposit only
_______________ Gamble for recreation, not to make money
_______________ If you begin to change any of your goals while gambling, stop
_______________ Don't spend more than 5% of your net monthly income.
Boredom: Due to an overabundance of leisure time after retirement, limited availability of other social activities, general physical limitations.
Loneliness: Often caused by relocation after retirement or the loss of a spouse, child or lifelong friend.
Escape: Usually stemming from an inability to cope with loss or other emotional and physical traumas associated with the later stages of life.
Excitement/Social interaction: Many seniors find gambling an exciting activity at a time when excitement may be very limited. Others find it an opportunity to socialize.
Safety and convenience: The casino provides transportation and a facility with guards and other watchful eyes.
Gamblers Anonymous list of ten questions for teenage gamblers.
- The action of the game/excitement
- Loneliness/boredom
- Competition
- To win money
- To gain attention from peers
- Problems at home
- Low self-esteem
- Peer Pressure
- Avoidance of pain and stress
Sports Gambling Warning Signs
(provided by Dr. Tim Otteman, Sports Gambling Consultant)
- Excessive use of phone / Blackberry or Iphone / Internet / sports page / television to gather gambling information
- Placing larger bets, on more games, and on a greater variety of sports
- Spending more time gambling (gathering gambling information and watching wagered-upon games)
- Use of gambling-specific language and terminology
- Placing faith in the "big score" (i.e. – bets on Monday Night Football to recover from a "bad" weekend)
- Preoccupation with gambling (past experiences, handicapping, funding, etc.)
- Accumulation of debt to support gambling activity
- Hiding involvement and major behavioral fluctuations
- Selling belongings or resorting to theft to support gambling activity
- Neglecting family / work / personal needs
Help is available by calling 1-800-272-0655, 24/7. You will be asked some confidential questions. The help line receiver will direct you to the nearest trained counselor for gambling recovery. You will also be directed to the nearest GA (Gamblers Anonymous) meeting. You have taken an important step. Youth are at high risk for developing out of control gambling behavior. Don’t bet with your life.
Gamblers will increase their likelihood of recovery by attending a minimum of sixteen sessions (call 1-800-270-7117) with a Michigan Paneled Provider (approved by the State of Michigan) and GA meetings as many times a week as possible. Family and significant others' may become involved in the gambler's therapy by taking over the finances. Honesty about how the gambler has financed his/her habit is an important part of the therapy.
To locate the GA and GamAnon meetings closest to you go to www.gamblersanonymous.org and www.gam-anon.org
To see a list of Michigan Paneled Providers, click here
