Our offices will be closed for the holidays on Dec. 24 & 25, and on Dec. 31 & Jan. 1. If you need immediate help for addiction, please visit our Get Help Now page for links to hotlines and treatment providers.
Problem gambling is often referred to as the “hidden” or “silent” addiction. The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) defines Problem Gambling as:
“All gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits.”
According the NCPG, the essential features of problem gambling are:
Take this anonymous assessment from Gambler's Anonymous. Questions are provided to help an individual decide if they are a compulsive gambler and motivated to stop gambling.
The World Health Organization defines Gaming Disorder as “a pattern of gaming behavior (“digital-gaming” or “video-gaming”) characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming despite the occurrence of negative consequences.”
Online gaming, use of social media and gambling have the same effect on the brain as drugs and alcohol. Teens, as digital natives, are the most voracious consumers of technology and because their brains are still young and malleable, teens are more vulnerable to the negative impacts than adults. In order to support and assist youth in responsible use of technology, it is imperative that parents and professionals understand the brain mechanisms that make gaming and social media so seductive to youth.
Call 1-800 GAMBLER (426-2537) or visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling of PA website
Go to PA CouncilYes. Gambling Disorder is now classified in the “Addiction and Related Disorders” category in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, fifth edition, published by the American Psychiatric Association. This disorder is identified as a persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior that has lead to clinically significant impairment or distress.
Approximately 2 million (1%) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling, another 4-6 million (2-3%) would be considered problem gamblers, according to statistics provided by the National Council on Problem Gambling. It may seem less common because, for many, gambling remains a hidden addiction.
The Lottery Holiday Campaign encourages parents and loved ones not to give lottery products as holiday gifts to minors. Research shows that the majority of adolescents gamble at least occasionally, and that lottery products be a gateway to problem gambling. Youth gambling has been shown to be linked to other risk-taking and addictive behaviors such as smoking, drinking and drug use.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board sponsors the Self-Exclusion Program designed to allow a person to request to be banned from all legalized gaming activities and to be prohibited from collecting any winnings, recovering any losses or accepting complimentary gifts or services or any other thing of value at any licensed facility. Self-exclusion only applies to the gaming floor of the licensed gaming facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Mutual support groups are available for those who are ready to make a change. In Berks, Gamblers Anonymous meetings are available. Click the link below to learn more and find a meeting near you.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from a gambling problem.
In order for gaming behavior to be characterized as a disorder, it must “result in significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning…for at least 12 months.”
