Problem Gambling Solutions
Across all states, there is a lack of uniformity regarding what types of problem gambling services are funded. Among those states that fund problem gambling services, the most commonly supported services provided by state agencies and NCPG Affiliates were, respectively, problem gambling awareness programs, counselor training, helplines, and problem gambling treatment. Understand the Problem. You can’t fix something that you don’t understand. To eliminate gambling.
jEFFREY J mAROTTA, phd
Dr. Marotta is an internationally known problem gambling and responsible gaming expert. He serves as President and Senior Consultant with Problem Gambling Solutions, Inc. , Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors for Cascadia Whole Healthcare, Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Oregon Problem Gambling Council, and past Affiliate Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Marotta has a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno and is a Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor - II.
In the 1990s, Dr. Marotta lived in Reno, Nevada where he served the community as an addictions counselor specializing in problem gambling treatment and as a scholar at the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming and Gambling. In 2000, Dr. Marotta moved to Oregon where he designed, developed, and managed Oregon Problem Gambling Services, one of the first state-wide systems that systematically applied a public health approach to reduce gambling related harm. During this period he was the chief adviser to the Oregon Governor’s Office, the Oregon State Lottery, and the Oregon Legislature on matter involving problem gambling and responsible gaming. In 2007, Dr. Marotta established Problem Gambling Solutions, Inc. where he serves as the company's President and Senior Consultant.
Problem Gambling Worksheets
Dr. Marotta is considered a foremost expert in problem gambling service development. He served as the principal contributor to several statewide strategic plans for problem gambling services and has been a primary contributor to the development of numerous problem gambling treatment and prevention programs and projects. He has been the Principal Investigator in a number of studies including evaluating the social impacts of gambling expansion on local communities, evaluation of problem gambling outreach services, national surveys of problem gambling services, the evaluation of problem gambling prevention programs, and the evaluation of casino and lottery responsible gaming programs. His consultation services have been used by state agencies and nonprofits to improve efforts to mitigate gambling related harm in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, New Mexico, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington, and Singapore.
Dr. Marotta has been active in addressing problem gambling among criminal offenders though his work as a clinician, researcher, and program development consultant. His more recent collaborations have included research projects with the Oregon Department of Corrections and providing expert and consultation services for the Office of the Federal Public Defender and private attorneys representing individuals with gambling related criminal charges.
Dr. Marotta serves on the Board of Directors for two non-profits, Cascadia Behavioral Health and the Oregon Problem Gambling Council. Additionally, Mr. Marotta founded Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery, Inc. (VPGR), a grassroots non-profit which advocates on behalf of problem gamblers and supports the local community. He has since turned over leadership responsibilities of this organization to persons in recovery and currently serves VPGR in an advisory capacity.
The journey ofrecovery from problem gambling can be an amazing experience. There will be challenges, barriers and pitfalls along the way. Learn some ways and tools to prepare for and avoid many of these obstructions to recovery.
Learning About Yourself
Anyone taking on a new endeavor will need to know as much as they can. Learning aboutproblem gambling by reading and learning about thestories of those who have followed a similar path can be a huge help. When we better understand the problem, we can start working towards a solution. Just like going to the doctor to solve a medical condition. The doctor runs some tests to better study their patient to understand the problem before identifying a solution. Therefore, learn all you can about problem gambling to better understand the problem and be more mindful of its effects on loved ones.
Also learn as much as possible aboutrecovery from problem gambling. Although there are many similarities between different addictions, gambling addiction recovery stands out on its own. The simple fact is that someone in recovery from a gambling addiction doesn’t just walk away from gambling; they also carry their debt and can’t avoid the triggerof money. Every day they need to look at money for food, rent, and to pay off their debts. Their debt is their constant reminder of their addiction, a reminder of what their life was, and a reminder of the loved ones they hurt along the way. Their constant contact with money can be a regular trigger that causes them their unavoidable thoughts about gambling. This means they need to be constantly mindful of their thoughts when using money.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is emerging with abundant research as a tool for addiction recovery. Using mindfulness means simply being mindful of each choice, thought and belief. It is a means of being completely aware of one’s life and using this awareness to improve their life. As someone becomes more mindful of their life, they can begin to focus on things that are healthy for them and their recovery and begin avoiding things that are not, such as gambling.
Mindfulness in recovery from problem gambling is a tool that can help those in recovery stay on track. This is done by being mindful of people time is spent with, places to spend time and activities to participate in. For instance, how do these people, places or activities affect the person in recovery’s mood? How do they affect their thoughts about themselves and their recovery lifestyle? Being mindful of these and choosing the best people, places and activities for themselves will help positively support their recovery.
Supporting Recovery
One thing people in recovery need to be mindful of is the people closest to them. The people someone in recovery from problem gambling associates with can make all the difference in their recovery. If these people speak often about gambling and are gambling as a form of regular activity, it will be very difficult for the person in recovery to safely avoid gambling. Therefore, they’ll need to begin finding new people to associate with in their recovery.
Finding new people and developing new friendships can feel overwhelming, scary and lonely at first. Being mindful of choices and participating in new healthy activities will welcome new groups of people into their lives. Joining a new fitness club or gym, taking cooking classes, joining a book club and attending community events will bring anyone in front of a bunch of new people quickly. Being mindful of what feels good, what activity is exciting, and what people inspire a healthy lifestyle is important.
Engaging in new activities with new people will bring those in recovery to new places. Being in new places and being mindful of the experience can slowly help replace the urge to go to old places. Many of these old places may have been gambling related. New places, with new people doing new things will help those in recovery stay on track, and hopefully create a new feeling of zest for life.
Problem Gambling Solutions Inc
Tools for Assistance
There are many tools available to help support recovery from problem gambling. These tools are not the perfect solution on their own but can be a great piece of the recovery support puzzle.
The first tool in this list is theBrief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS). The BBGS is a screening tool to help someone identify if they may have a gambling problem. Using three simple questions, anyone can read through and see if they may be struggling with problem gambling. It can spark the person struggling to be more mindful of their gambling and seek additional help and support.
For those who are practicing mindfulness, but still find themselves compelled to gamble, the New York State Gaming Commission’sVoluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE) form can be a great program. VSE is a tool to help individuals struggling with a gambling problem to exclude or ban themselves out of New York State gambling locations. This tool is best implemented when an individual is working in conjunction with a trained clinician.
Tools aren’t always things, sometimes they’re groups of people. Whether the person adversely affected is the person struggling with a gambling problem, or loved ones affected by the gambling, there are support groups available. Gamblers Anonymous is available for anyone struggling with problem gambling interested in surrounding themselves with others on their journey to recovery. Similarly,Gam-Anon is available for anyone affected by a loved one’s gambling. Both groups offer support, guidance and hope along the journey.
Treatment is Available
All of these tools work best when implemented in conjunction with a trained clinician ready to work with people adversely affected by problem gambling. In New York State, anyone can find local treatment services by contacting their localProblem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC). Each center is ready to connect those interested to local trained clinicians ready to help and offer a range of educational resources.
Recovery form problem gambling can be an amazing, life-changing journey.
We hope everyone in recovery finds their way to hope, new purpose and a new zest for life!