Choices Treatment Center (choicestreatmentcenter.net), in partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), recognizes March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM). This year’s theme, “Caring Communities, Stronger Futures”, emphasizes the importance of a community-driven approach to problem gambling awareness and support.
Problem gambling is behaviors that damage personal, family, or professional lives, affects millions of Americans. In the U.S. 2.5 million adults are estimated to meet criteria for a severe gambling problem every year. Another 5 to 8 million are considered to have mild or moderate problems. Additionally, in the past year, approximately 20 million American adults reported experiencing at least one indicator of problematic gambling.
Throughout March, Choices Treatment Center will lead efforts of increasing public understanding and ensuring individuals are aware of the available prevention, education, treatment, and recovery services in their community. Activities will include information and screening tables at organizations through Lincoln, proclamations recognizing PGAM by the state of Nebraska, the city of Lincoln, and other communities, and lastly a social media campaign recognizing PGAM and bringing awareness to prevention and treatment.
These efforts reflect a simple truth: when community comes together—friends, families, educators, healthcare providers, local partners, and policymakers—silence is replaced with support, and isolation is replaced with connection. To learn more about problem gambling, please visit NCPGambling.org/FAQs.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, the National Problem Gambling HelplineTM offers free, confidential support 24/7. Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET or chat at NCPGambling.org/chat. You can visit Choices Treatment Center choicestreatmentcenter.net.