March has been nationally designated as Gambling Awareness Month, and locally, the Center for Living is spreading the word about gambling addiction and free treatment options available to both gamblers and family members.
“There are many ways to gamble in our society and in our state,” said Delese Kendrick, certified gambling addictions counselor II (CGAC) and certified alcohol and drug counselor II (CADC) at Center for Living. “Although most people gamble for fun, some can develop a problem that can lead to negative consequences.
“We just want people to not feel so desperate over this addiction.”
A Gamblers Anonymous support group — the only one in the Gorge — meets Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 400 11th St., Hood River. It’s a free 12-step program, and those interested in attending are welcome to just show up.
But that’s not the only option for those with a gambling addiction — or their families or other loved ones.
Center for Living, which covers Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties, offers free counseling and treatment; for more information, contact the center at 541-386-2620 ext. 2121 (Hood River office) or 541-296-5452 ext. 3270 (The Dalles office).
Besides Kendrick, who is also a nationally certified gambling addiction counselor, there are two additional certified addiction counselors who are bilingual and bicultural, “so we provide treatment for Spanish speaking family members and Spanish speaking gamblers” as well as to English speakers, she said.
“Our experience has been that treatment works,” she said.
Another resource: The Oregon Problem Gambling Resource (OPGR) line can connect anyone in Oregon to counseling and treatment, Kendrick said; call toll-free, 1-877-MYLIMIT (1-877-695-4648), or visit the website at www.opgr.org for live chats and resource referrals.
While gambling can be “serious fun” for some, it can be “serious and devastating” for others. Gambling addiction “does not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, social status or education,” she said. Signs of addiction include borrowing money to gamble, lying about gambling, trying to win back money lost, letting bills go unpaid in order to gamble, and being argumentative about gambling, she said.
Because Hood River, Wasco and Sherman counties all border Washington, there are also free resources for Washington residents and their families; help is available at the numbers listed above.
Kendrick hopes that this month’s awareness campaign will shine light not only on problem gambling, but on the treatment resources available.
“We want people to be aware of gambling, and that there is free help — so many people don’t know that,” she said. “And if the gambler isn’t ready for treatment, there’s also free treatment for family members, or for a boyfriend or girlfriend.”
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