gambling and mental health: what the eap community needs to know

Gambling is an addictive product and gambling disorder is an addiction on the same level as heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine. The risk of suicide is closely connected to gambling disorder. One of every two people struggling with a gambling problem will contemplate suicide; one in five will make an attempt. Gambling disorder is also linked with other co-occurring substance disorders and mental health struggles. Harm typically extends throughout families and manifests with problems including job loss, financial losses, marital and relationship struggles, domestic neglect/violence, housing insecurity, lies and mistrust, depression, anxiety, financial crimes, and other mental health symptoms and struggles.

The gambling industry is experiencing unprecedented expansion and growth. Gambling is legal in 48 States with more than forty having online sports and/or casino gambling. Technology delivers instantaneous and non-stop access to gambling on every phone, tablet, and computer.

Meanwhile, the gambling industry and its sports/media partners advance a national dialogue which labels gambling problems as merely an issue of personal responsibility. The public is urged to follow “responsible gaming” policies which minimize the scientific reality that gambling is an addictive product, and gambling disorder a life-altering addiction just like alcohol and drugs.

This course will shine light on gambling and gambling-related harm from a public health and public policy perspective. Rather than merely placing the burden on individuals to “gamble responsibly,” we will be exploring gambling and the prevention of harm as issues of public health.

This seminar will trace the history of gambling disorder as a mental health issue; examine the addictive nature of online gambling; discuss the warning signs of a gambling problem; consider intervention strategies; review treatment options; shed light on the struggles of family and affected others; and explore multiple opportunities for reform and regulation designed to prevent harm from occurring. This will be an interactive journey where we closely explore the reality of gambling-related harm and gambling disorder from a public health perspective.

 

 

Who Presents?

Harry Levant is an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor (ICGC-I) and mental health therapist in private practice and directs the gambling treatment program with Ethos Treatment, LLC in Philadelphia, PA. Harry is the Gambling Policy Adviser to the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University. He is also a doctoral candidate at Northeastern and his research, thesis, and dissertation are focused on developing a public health approach to prevent gambling-related harm and gambling disorder.

 

 

Harry holds a Master’s in Professional Clinical Counseling from La Salle University and a Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law. He is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, Chi Sigma Iota National Honor Society for Counselors, and Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania.

 

 

Harry is a public health advocate and regularly appears on television and radio addressing the prevention and treatment of gambling disorder. His work has recently been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, and the NBC Nightly News. He is the author of the law review commentary “Upon Further Review, the NFL Gambling Strategy is a Risk to Public Health” and co-author with Professor Richard Daynard and Professor Mark Gottlieb of the Boston Globe op-ed article, “Massachusetts Makes a Losing Bet on Gambling.”

 

 

Harry is also a gambling addict in recovery, having made his last bet on April 27, 2014. On that day, gambling addiction brought him within seconds of taking his life. “Gambling is a known addictive product and gambling disorder is an addiction just like heroin, opioids, tobacco, alcohol, and cocaine.” One out of every two people struggling with gambling disorder will experience suicidal ideation and one in five will attempt suicide. Gambling disorder typically presents with other co-occurring mental health and substance disorder problems and can cause devastating harm to people and families. The good news is that help is available and with appropriate treatment recovery is possible.

COST

$325 Members

$425 Non Members

***A late fee of $50 will be charged to anyone registering in Indianapolis.  Additionally, no lunch will be available to late registrants.

What are the dates for this course?

Registration is in conjunction with EAPA Institute and EXPO registration.  Please go to:

CLICK HERE FOR the EAPA CONFERENCE

 

For more additional questions contact j.rochester@eapassn.org