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Gambling recovery is a winning option. Take the first step.
March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month!
THERE IS HELP FOR PROBLEM GAMBLING!
Do you, or someone you know, have a gambling problem? We are here to help you determine if a gambling problem may be present, and if so, we are ready to assist you, or someone you care about, onto a road of recovery.
Problem gambling goes beyond the gamblers themselves. Problem gambling affects family members, close friends, colleagues, and employers. The family is seriously affected as gamblers spend more and more time and money gambling. Children often feel abandoned, relationships with spouses deteriorate, and financial problems often result including repossession of homes, lack of money for necessities and harassment from creditors. The distrust, fear, and hopelessness that result can destroy families and relationships.
WHAT IS PROBLEM GAMBLING AND HOW DO I KNOW IF A GAMBLING PROBLEM IS PRESENT?
Problem gambling is a progressive behavior disorder, which causes an uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble. Compulsive gambling may be referred to as the "purest addiction". The fact that nothing enters the body makes the addiction very difficult for some people to understand and makes the gamblers ability to stop gambling almost impossible without help.
Signs of a gambling problem may include:
- Loss of control
- Increased frequency of gambling
- Financial problems/borrowing money
- Guilt/shame about gambling
- Lying about wins or losses
- Chasing wins or losses
- Experiencing gambling binges
- Depression
- Lonely, yet do not want to interact with family or friends
- Thoughts of suicide
- Use of drugs/alcohol abuse
WORDS OF THOSE AFFECTED:The words of those affected describing their pain are moving. Some of their losses are felt here:
"We can�t help the kids with their school expenses."
"I could not buy groceries or pay the mortgage. We had to ask family and friends for help."
"My children hardly ever see me because I�m working so many hours to pay bills."
"I realized that I was not alone � many other people live with gamblers and suffer the effects of gambling."
"I learned that by denying my husband�s addiction, I was encouraging it.
I got the courage to tell him to get some help or leave."
"I got hope. Compulsive gambling can be arrested, with help from the SHARE program"
 WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP THE PROBLEM GAMBLER?
It is important to understand that lying, stealing and manipulation are classic symptoms of the addiction and an indication of the progression of the disorder. Just as one would not give money to a drug addict or someone with an alcohol problem, giving money to a problem gambler can be very risky. Helping a gambler with money is called a "bailout" and frequently escalates the gambling and often increases the consequences for an addiction spiraling out of control. Problem gamblers who seek professional counseling and enlist the help of support groups are most successful in their attempt at recovery.
SHARE CAN HELP!
Education and treatment for problem gambling is available. Our SHARE facility offers individualized treatment for the compulsive gambler to meet their specific needs. Clients may attend two or three times per week depending on assessed needs and their involvement in outside support programs. Financial, physical, medical, psychological and spiritual needs are addressed in the assessment process and explored in depth during the course of treatment. Family involvement is encouraged.
SHARE encourages intensive involvement in the recovery community while in treatment. This allows for a smooth transition into a new lifestyle upon completion of the treatment program.
Sometimes the gambler also has a drug and alcohol problem. SHARE provides priority access to gambling treatment services for those with a priority substance abuse disorder who are currently being served at our facility.
Problem gamblers who seek professional counseling and enlist the help of support groups are most successful in their attempt at recovery.
- Pathological Gambling & Other Mental Disorders
- Ideas, Attitudes, Values & Priorities
- Spirituality and Mindfulness
- Impulse Control
- Financial Planning, Restitution & Making Amends
- Personal Growth & Development
- Relationships & Gambling
It is important to deal with this challenging problem. Treatment in our SHARE Gambling Program is affordable through funding provided by The Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse. A small co-payment may be required.
SELF-EXCLUSION IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT SHARE.
Problem gamblers can choose to be placed on a self-exclusion list. The program allows individuals who acknowledge that they have a gambling problem to decide to self-identify and self-exclude from Illinois riverboat gaming operations, Illinois Lottery and/or Off-Track Betting Establishments. This procedure requires self-excluded persons to pledge to not enter the gaming area or engage in gaming in Illinois riverboat gaming operations and agree to be removed voluntarily from all mailing, marketing and promotional lists and databases. Once problem gamblers take this step of being placed on the self-exclusion list, they often say they feel a huge weight lifted from their shoulders.
Call for help today. Contact SHARE at 847.882.4181.
"Now that we�re free from our compulsion to gamble, and living life one day at a time, we can begin to stop making unreasonable demands upon those we love. We can show kindness where we have shown none; we can take the time and the initiative to be thoughtful, considerate, and compassionate. Even with people we
SHARE Program in the News
Daily Herald, November 14, 2000
Click here to learn more about our SHARE facility.
dislike, we can at least try to be courteous, at times literally going out of our way to understand and help them." (G.A. "One Day at a Time")
While in treatment for problem gambling, key areas clients will address are:
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