MARION (WSIL) -- Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care announced today it's teaming with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling. A conference was held at the Pavilion of the City of Marion to highlight gambling treatment services.
The highest suicide rate is among people with a gambling disorder. Higher than any of the other addictions," said Illinois Council on Problem Gambling member Bill Johnson.
Specialists and community leaders are researching new ways people can become addicted to gambling, with the potential coming from places like teens playing video games.
"Whether in the game, they're going into casinos, they're seeing what it looks like, they're interacting with the casinos, seeing what that's like. She made mention of "skins" and how that introduces them to that as well. So they're getting introduced to it younger and younger," said conference attendee, Melissa Dane.
Gambling has become a growing concern in ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois. Marion Mayor, Mike Absher, says residents have told him they've developed gambling problems to pay their rent.
"I don't think most people in the community realize that this is such an issue for people. So, they say that the path to help and fix is to first recognize what the symptoms are," Absher said.
Those symptoms include hiding money or, an inability to stop playing whether you've won or lost.
Specialists say one way to treat gambling addiction, is by reducing the stigma.
"I think a family member could say something about that it's a disease and research shows that it is a brain disease and they can wire up people's brains when they're involved in some kind of gambling activity. They can see the parts of the brain that lights up," said Johnson.
"Ask for some help. It's not shameful. It's shameful if you don't ask for help," said Absher.
has locations in Marion and Carbondale. For help, call (615) 463-6645.
Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
State Agency: Department of Human Services:
State Affiliate: Illinois Council on Problem Gambling
ICPG:
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