“Fun” Beginnings At first, gambling was just ‘fun’—a night out with friends, a way to feel like I was ‘winning’ in a world where I didn’t always feel successful. “Wow, this is easy money!” I thought. Of course, that’s exactly what the casino wants you to believe. But what I didn’t realize was that the …
We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Dr. Timothy Fong of UCLA Gambling Studies Program. Q: What is your role at the UT Gambling Studies program and what inspired and led you to work on problem gambling? I’m a professor of …
When we think about gambling, we often picture seasoned adults at casino blackjack tables or perhaps cheering on horses at the track. However, an alarming trend is emerging, as young people are becoming increasingly at risk of developing gambling problems. The intersection of technology, the normalization of gambling in the media, and peer pressure are …
One of the challenges of addiction recovery is the risk of exchanging one dependence for another. Individuals in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse sometimes seek new highs in other activities, such as gambling. Providers and individuals within the recovery space stand to gain valuable insights by expanding their understanding of problem gambling — considering …
The following is an exclusive interview with a problem gambler, now in active recovery from his addiction. We want to thank Tim for his candor and willingness to share. Can you share a little bit about yourself? I grew up in Eagan to loving parents with 2 siblings. Like most boys growing up, I was …
The impacts of problem gambling can be devastating. And the effects of a gambling disorder are not only economic – it can lead to damaged relationships and high rates of substance abuse, depression, and suicide. In fact, studies show problem gambling has the highest rate of suicide of any addiction. That’s why it’s essential for …
When kids turned eighteen in Minnesota, a favorite way to highlight the occasion, especially in the early 2000’s, was with a night out at a nearby casino. They celebrated their milestone birthdays with all the exuberance of youth who’ve reached the legal age to participate in an adult activity. Most adults continue to enjoy occasional …
We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Katie Richard of Vinland National Center about helping those with problem gambling. What is your role at Vinland National Center and what inspired / led you to work with compulsive gamblers? Currently I am Vinland’s …
About 22% of Minnesotans, regardless of their own participation in gambling, have been negatively affected by the gambling behaviors of others. Problem gambling is not simply a bad habit: It’s an addiction that isolates people and leaves them feeling despondent and hopeless. Problem gambling affects families and communities through unemployment, loss of housing, and more. …
This article about gambling addiction was produced by the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling. For more information about gambling addiction in Minnesota, visit mnpga.org. The term “addiction” is defined as the state of being compulsively committed to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, such as narcotics, to such …
