The Arizona Division of Problem Gambling is kicking off their latest media campaign in an effort to get the word out regarding the resources our agency has available to problem gamblers as well as those affected by problem gambling. The campaign highlights our confidential 24/7 helpline 1-800-NEXT-STEP. Gamblers Anonymous International Service Office 4981 Irwindale Avenue suite 700 Irwindale, CA 91706 T (626) 960-3500 F (626) 960-3501 [email protected].
- 1800 Gambling Helpline Support
- 1800 Gambling Helpline Customer Service
- 1800 Gambling Helpline Phone Number
- 1800 Gambling Helpline Customer Service
Last updated: 10/25/2018
Author: Addictions.com Medical Review
Author: Addictions.com Medical Review
Reading Time: 4minutes
Let’s be completely honest – there is a little bit of a gambler in all of us. Whether you play the stock market, like to scratch off lottery tickets, play slots or bet on sports, chances are you gamble a little. The problem however is when you start gambling a lot. So much that you can’t actually stop gambling.
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse-control disorder. When someone has this disorder, they honestly can’t control their impulse to gamble. Even if they know that gambling is causing them financial strain or causing problems with their mental focus or relationships, they simply can’t stop. In addition, compulsive gamblers can’t control the impulse to gamble. Gambling is all they think about and the only thing they want to focus on. In fact, if they try to stop, many of them have a difficult time stopping. It’s just that they are so addicted that they can’t “stay off the bet”. This illness often leads to strained relationships, feelings of depression, lower self-worth, suicidal thoughts and various other problems.
1800 Gambling Helpline Support
A gambling addiction can ruin your life! Is it time for you to call a gambling addiction hotline?
As the US National Library of Medicine notes, another problem compulsive gamblers face is that their addiction can lead to unemployment and financial catastrophe. In fact, everyday honest and hardworking people will do crazy things to get more betting money. They may even borrow or steal from others. They may even do things they never thought they would, like engage in prostitution or rob a stranger. Many gamblers feel as if their lives are spinning totally out of control. The good news is that there is help available. Even the person that seems the most hopeless can actually get over their gambling addiction and regain control.
The first step is recognizing and acknowledging the problem and then calling a gambling addiction hotline for help. But, how do you know when to call the hotline? Here are some tips to help you figure it out:
- Call if your gambling is a problem and is harming your life. For instance, if you’ve tried to stop but can’t, if you spend more and more time and money on your next gambling fix, don’t care about how much you lose, or simply don’t care how much your gambling has affected yourself or others, you likely need help.
- Call if you are secretive about your gambling addiction. You might gamble but you don’t let anyone know just how much you gamble. In fact, you may sneak out or lie about how much you really spend. Simply because you feel others won’t understand what you’re going through or may look down on you. Instead, you focus on winning and how you will share your good news when you hit it big.
- Call if you have a very difficult time controlling your gambling impulse. Once you start gambling, you can’t stop. Its like your feet become glued to the spot and you couldn’t walk away. Another telltale sign is that you are so compelled to gamble that you will gamble away all your rent money, your spending money and even your grocery money too. You won’t stop until you have no money in the bank and an overdrawn account.
- Call if you gamble even when you’re dead broke. Another clue is when you get more and more determined to recoup your losses. You may gamble until you’ve spent your very last buck and then move on to your relative’s money and spend that too. You may even spend your kids’ money or money allocated for bills. Nothing is off limits – including your children’s money. In your heart, you may feel as if the only way to get the money is to win it- not earn it working so you keep on going, regardless of the pain it causes you or your loved ones.
- Call if your family and friends are very concerned about you. If your loved ones are concerned, you should be concerned. Don’t ignore their concerns. Instead, head their warnings and hear them out. Take a really good look at how your addiction is affecting yourself and others around you. It is actually a good thing to ask for help. There is no shame in seeking help. Millions of people suffer from gambling addiction every year and the ones that get better, ask for help.
Gambling addiction is real and it can harm you, your family and those around you. If you feel preoccupied with gambling, are secretive about how much you gamble, your family is concerned about you, and you can’t stop even though you are broke, you must seek help now. By calling for help, you will speak to a trained professional and you will take the first step towards change your life – start today!
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What to Expect
When you call, a certified gambling addiction counselor will listen, educate, answer questions, and refer you to a free and confidential treatment services.
There are approximately 46 providers throughout the state of Oregon providing FREE, state-funded, confidential gambling treatment to Oregon residents and their families or friends. All counselors are trained and certified in gambling addiction.
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Are your friends and family concerned with your gambling?
Gamble to get money to meet financial obligations?
Feel you must return as soon as possible and win back losses?
Have a strong urge to win even more after winning?
Use income or savings to gamble while letting bills go unpaid?
Feel irritated or restless when not able to gamble?
Exceed your limits of time and money when gambling?
1800 Gambling Helpline Customer Service
Have you broken the law or considered breaking the law to finance gambling?
Find it difficult to control, stop or cut down on gambling and feel irritable when trying to do so?
Celebrate good fortune with a few hours of gambling?
- Question 1 out of 20
You are Low Risk
Your score places you in the 'Low-Risk Gambler' category.
A person in this score range experienced one to two minor problems related to their gambling.
If you answered “yes” to seven or more of these questions, it could be indicative of a serious gambling problem.
You can always call the Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline and speak to a certified gambling addiction counselor. All information shared is confidential and this service is FREE to Oregon residents. Call 1-877-695-4648 (MY-LIMIT), text 503-713-6000, or click the buttons below to contact us online through Live Chat, IM or Email.
You are Medium Risk
Your score places you in the 'Medium-Risk Gambler' category
A person in this score range indicates a level of risk that should be further explored.
![1800 1800](https://www.mdproblemgambling.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/1-800-GAMBLER-helpline-banner.png)
You can always call the Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline and speak to a certified gambling addiction counselor. All information shared is confidential and this service is FREE to Oregon residents. Call 1-877-695-4648 (MY-LIMIT), text 503-713-6000, or click the buttons below to contact us online through Live Chat, IM or Email.
You are High Risk
A person in this score range indicates a problem with gambling. Contact the Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline and speak to a certified gambling addiction counselor to further examine your gambling behavior and its consequences. All information shared is confidential and this service is FREE to Oregon residents. Call 1-877-695-4648 (MY-LIMIT), text 503-713-6000, or click the buttons below to contact us online through Live Chat, IM or Email.
1800 Gambling Helpline Phone Number
REMINDER: Self-assessment can help you figure out if there is a issue with gambling, but only a professional can diagnose if it is a gambling problem, a different problem, or both.
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Myth or Fact?
'You have to gamble every day to be a problem gambler.'
Myth or fact?
Myth. A problem gambler may gamble frequently or infrequently. If a person’s gambling is causing psychological, financial, emotional, marital, legal, or other difficulties for themselves and the people around them, then they have a gambling problem.
'Most problem gamblers have a favorite form of gambling that causes them problems.'
Myth or fact?
Fact. Most problem gamblers don't gamble at any opportunity of any form. Most have a favorite game that causes them problems. Some gamblers also engage in secondary forms of gambling, but these are not usually as problematic.
'Problem gambling is not really a problem if the gambler can afford it.'
Myth or fact?
Myth. Problems caused by excessive gambling are not just financial. If a person’s gambling is interfering with their ability to act in accordance with their values, then there is a problem. For example, too much time spent on gambling means less time to spend with family, friends, and others. It can lead to relationship breakdown and loss of important friendships.
'Even people with a long history of responsible behavior are vulnerable to developing a gambling problem. '
Myth or fact?
Fact. Many problem gamblers hold, or have held, responsible community positions. When a person is having a problem gambling episode, that person is unable to control their gambling and in this compromised state their actions look like irresponsible behavior.
'Children are not affected by problem gambling.'
Myth or fact?
Myth. Surveys show that about 10% to 15% of American and Canadian youth have experienced gambling-related problems, and 1% to 6% of these individuals may satisfy diagnostic criteria for pathological gambling. Additionally, children of problem gamblers have been shown to be at a higher risk of developing health-threatening behaviors. This includes alcohol and drug use, problem gambling, eating disorders, depression and suicide.
'Problem gamblers can be skilled in finding ways to rationalize their gambling.'
Myth or fact?
Fact. Blaming others is one way to avoid taking responsibility for actions, including actions needed to overcome the gambling problem. Partners of problem gamblers are not responsible for problem gambler's actions.
'Financial problems are the main reason that problem gambler’s relationships break down.'
Myth or fact?
Myth. It is true that money problems play an important part in ending relationships. However, many non-gambling partners say that the lies and lack of trust is the biggest cause.
Parents of problem gamblers are not to blame for their children's behavior.
Myth or fact?
Fact. Many parents of problem gamblers feel hurt and guilty about their son’s or daughter’s gambling behavior, but they are not to blame.
'If a problem gambler builds up a debt, the important thing to do is to help them get out of the financial problem as soon as possible.'
Myth or fact?
1800 Gambling Helpline Customer Service
Myth. Quick fix solutions are often attractive to everyone involved and may appear to be the right thing to do. However, “bailing” the gambler out of debt may actually make matters worse by enabling gambling problems to continue.
Myth or fact? New usa online casinos 2015.
Fact. Problem gambling is very easy to hide as it has few recognizable symptoms, unlike alcohol and drug use. Many problem gamblers themselves do not recognize they have a gambling problem. Problem gamblers often engage in self-denial.
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1-877-695-4648
Contact us:
1-877-695-4648
About Us
The Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline was established in 2001 and receives about 1000 calls each year. Trained professional staff members are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to listen, educate, answer questions, and refer people to free confidential treatment services.
If you (or someone you know) are gambling too much, you can call the Oregon Problem Gambling Helpline and speak to a certified gambling counselor. All information shared is confidential and this service is FREE to Oregon residents.
Call the Helpline 1-877-695-4648 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and speak with someone who can get you to the help you may need. Or text 503-713-6000 between the hours of 8am and 9pm M-F.
You are not alone. There is help, there is hope, and there is a way to get your life back on track.