Buffalo, NY, March 1, 2006 – Statistics show that roughly five percent of New York State residents have a gambling problem; in Western New York that percentage is even higher. Western New York also has seen a 15 percent increase in personal bankruptcies, as well as an increase in fraud and larceny crimes that officials believe are related to the gambling problems. Gambling can be defined as any activity (e.g. a game of chance or skill) where an item of value is placed at risk in an attempt to gain something of greater value. Horizon Health Services now offers a gambling addiction counseling program aimed to help area adults curb this addictive habit.
A gambling disorder was long considered a behavioral problem or character flaw. Its symptoms were difficult to uncover and those with a gambling problem were extremely reluctant to admit it. In the 1980s, the American Psychiatric Association incorporated “pathological gambling” into its diagnostic and statistical manual, legitimizing disordered gambling as a psychiatric illness. Today, gambling is considered to be a “disease of impulse control.”
“There are multiple internal and external factors that contribute to a gambling problem,” says Maria Pasceri, Horizon’s vice president of program development. “With the presence of such environmental toxins as gaming facilities and professional sporting events, gamblers become extremely vulnerable and less resilient to these temptations.”
“The process of treating someone for a gambling addiction is very similar to treatment for a drug addiction,” says Anne Constantino, Horizon president and CEO. “Many of the same techniques are used, and that’s why Horizon believes we can make a difference in the lives of many consumers by offering a gambling addiction counseling program.”
Horizon provides treatment for persons presenting with pathological gambling problems co-occurring with a substance abuse diagnosis at its Boulevard clinic and through Horizon Village. Its services are designed to meet the needs of these consumers and their families/significant others, and are designed to interrupt the cycle of compulsive gambling that results in multiple negative emotional, social, family, vocational, financial and legal consequences.
To be eligible to receive counseling through Horizon for gambling problems, a consumer must have a DSMIV diagnosis in substance abuse with pathological gambling.
“Horizon took the initiative to offer to help in an area that is out of control,” says Jim Maney, executive director of the NY Council on Problem Gambling. “I applaud the organization for recognizing there is a problem and making the commitment and the investment to help address this problem.”
Horizon Health Services is the largest and most comprehensive provider of fully-integrated mental health, behavioral health, chemical dependency, medical and vocational treatment and recovery services in Western New York.