Reaching Out For Help With Gambling Addiction

Knowing where to go for help with gambling problems is vital. Thankfully, the United States has a great network of helplines, recovery centers, information hubs, and national outreach programs to assist gamblers seeking help with their gambling addictions.

Seeking help and treatment for gambling addiction

Who To Contact In The U.S For Gambling Addiction Help

Below we have listed some of the top resources out there, ready to help you turn your life around if gambling has become a problem.

Seeking help for gambling addiction? Dial 1-800-STOP-BET for immediate emergency assistance.

Mayo Clinic

Covering a broad range of different illnesses, the Mayo Clinic is one of the most trusted, effective, non-profit organizations that have a track record of helping compulsive gamblers. They have lots of helpful material to get you started on recovery.

NCPG

Begun in 1971, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers problem gamblers and addicts various therapies and treatments. They also have a practical state-by-state guide so that wherever you are in the U.S., help is at hand. Visit their website and click on your State on the map to discover what resources are available for you.

Get Set Before You Bet

This Ohio-based program has raised the bar, offering recovering gambling addicts a sensitive live chat function and lots of tools to help with all spectrums of gambling-related issues. Visit them here.

Addiction Center

Gambling addiction is now fully recognized as a severe illness, and the Addiction Center has plenty of treatments to help tackle every kind of gambling addiction.

The Recovery Village

As one of the most reputable and highly regarded centers for addiction recovery, The Recovery Village is an expert in all forms of therapy for pathological gambling.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Gambling addiction can take people to the lowest depths, but there is always a lifeline, and thankfully the Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a U.S.-only service, is always here to help. Don't hesitate to get in touch if things are ever that bad.

Getting Financial Help And Assistance

Losing real money that's sorely needed for gambling addiction is the cause of so much misery and spiraling addictions. Being able to contact someone to talk about financial difficulties and see that there's light at the end of the tunnel is crucial to moving forward.

The Balance

Expert advice from this United Stated budgeting site, The Balance can untangle what an inescapable mess of financial woe is. They have done great work and can give absolute clarity when things seem bleakest due to gambling addiction.

These links below to self-help sites are helpful for anyone looking for help for gambling addiction, however severe.

• Gamblers Anonymous

• Gam-Anon

• GamTalk

Gambling Addiction Screening Tools

Use these Screening Tools to assess your gambling behavior profile:

• The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS).

• DSM-5 Addictive Gambling Criteria.

• NORC Diagnostic Screen for Gambling Problems.

State-By-State Contact And Help

Below are some of the contact numbers and websites available in the states that we frequently mention, as they all have opened their doors to online casinos and sportsbook gambling.

Nevada

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat

NEVADA COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

5552 S. Fort Apache Rd., Ste. 100

Las Vegas, NV 89148

Tel: 702.369.9740

Fax: 702.369.9765

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.nevadacouncil.org

Helpline: 800.522.4700

Pennsylvania

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat: ncpgambling.org/chat

COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING OF PENNSYLVANIA, INC.

P.O. Box 444

Spring House, PA 19477

Tel: 215.643.4542

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.pacouncil.com

Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER

In Pennsylvania, you can also contact the Department of Drug and Alcohol Program, as they have a long history of helping and benefiting addicts.

Connecticut

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat

CONNECTICUT COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

100 Great Meadow Road, Suite 704

Wethersfield, CT 06109

Tel: 959.230.4034

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.ccpg.org

Helpline: 888.789.7777

Within Connecticut, you can also contact the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Delaware

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat

DELAWARE COUNCIL ON GAMBLING PROBLEMS

100 W. 10th Street, Suite 303

Wilmington, DE 19801-1677

Tel: 302.655.3261

Fax: 302.984.2269

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.DEProblemGambling.org

Helpline: 888.850.8888

Text: Mon-Fri, 9 am to 4 pm, 302.438.8888

Chat: Mon-Fri 9 am to 4 pm, http://www.DEProblemGambling.org

You can also use the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health service in this State.

Michigan

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat

MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION ON PROBLEM GAMBLING

1128 Wethersfield Dr. S

Portage, MI 49002

Tel: 517.672.6904

Fax: 734.720.9525

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.michapg.com

Helpline: 1-800-270-7117

Contact: Michael Burke

West Virginia

National Problem Gambling Helpline

Call or text: 1-800-522-4700

Live Chat

Within this State, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources is also available for help with all addiction issues.

Also, West Virginia has available the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia.

Gambling Addiction Help And Treatment Faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I get treatment for gambling addiction?

Various treatment programs for gambling addictions and problem gambler disorders are available across many different states. Check our resources above, to find out which treatment or therapy might work best for your gambling addiction. Various approaches to gambling addiction are available, and while one treatment may work for one kind of gambler, for a problem gambler with a different type of disorder another kind of treatment may be in order. It's important to contact the correct gambling addiction center and understand what kind of treatment and therapy they have on offer.

Am I a problem gambler if I win?

A problem gambler or gambling addict is not defined by how much they win or lose, but the compulsive tendency that follows bad gambling habits. Compulsive disorders can be treated with various treatment programs and therapy, just as any addictive illness. Whether you win at gambling or not, the compulsion to gamble whether you are winning or losing, is what leads to gambling addiction that may require treatment to fix.

Are there relapse prevention treatment programs?

Yes, many of the state-by-state resources we have supplied above, also have various treatment programs for relapse prevention, as this is part of the gambling disorder, as with any other addictions.

Will I have to stay in the treatment center?

Treatment centers for gambling addictions have various kinds of programs, with inpatient and outpatient facilities, which focus on therapist approaches, cognitive behavioral specialists, cbt, addiction treatment that focuses finances as well as standard gambling addiction treatment, all of which challenge the addictive gamble.

Is online gambling responsible for more gambling addiction?

Gambling addiction predates online gambling, and slot machines, blackjack, roulette and other gambling games have been responsible for creating compulsive gamblers. But online gambling has increased the accessibility of online gambling, which has seen a rise in gambling addiction.