BLUEFIELD More than 13,000 calls for help have been dialed to the Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia since its inception in 2000, over 300 calls have been answered by the network from Mercer County alone.

Problem Gamblers Help Network of West Virginia Marketing and Communication Director Sheila Moran said the problem is bigger than you think in West Virginia.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that about 1 percent of the population meets the criteria for Gambling Disorder, and another 2 to 3 percent have some symptoms of problem gambling, Moran said. If you look at that in terms of the population we have in West Virginia, that is a pretty large number. Weve taken about 13,000 calls since we started in 2000.

Moran said, as with most addictions, the great majority of people dont call for help. Weve taken significantly more from Mercer (than McDowell County,) Moran said. But, again, most folks with this issue are not calling our helpline, so it is difficult to say.

When asked if the proliferation of gray machines or video poker machines made gambling worse in Mercer County or the state, Moran said the data was not available to answer the question.

We dont have the data to give an answer on that, Moran said. The majority of our calls are from people who cite limited video lottery terminals in local bars and restaurants as their primary type of gambling. The second most common type of gambling our callers cite is slot machines in casinos. We also get calls from people who play table games, scratch off tickets, bingo, online gambling and just about anything you can name.

Moran said March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month. We have a 24/7 helpline, Moran said. 1-800-GAMBLER, for anyone in West Virginia who feels he or she is struggling with a gambling problem. We offer crisis counseling, mail self-help materials, give them information on support groups, and schedule them for a free consultation with a counselor in their area. We also offer guidance and counseling for people who are concerned their loved one has a gambling problem. If for any reason someone is unable to pay for continued treatment, we have funds for that.

Moran said that during this month officials work to do statewide outreach to make everyone aware of the symptoms of problem gambling as well as the help available. We are currently mailing information out to all the addiction treatment centers in the state (many people with a gambling problem have other addictions), Moran said. We are also visiting all the mental health centers in the state to provide education to them.

Moran said officials offer a free online chat for those struggling with an addiction.

We have a lot of great information on our website, 1800Gambler.net, including all of the symptoms of problem gambling, Moran said. We offer free online chat as well. Folks who develop this disorder often take desperate actions. Many people tell us they have committed illegal acts, usually stealing form their company or family or writing bad checks to gamble. Gambling addiction has the highest rate of suicide of any addiction. Many people tell us they have lost their job, spouse, and are thousands in debt due to their addiction. The good news is, we do follow up with callers who go to treatment, and we find that about 80 percent are able to stop gambling within 6 months.

Contact Blake Stowers at bstowers@bdtonline.com

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1-800-GAMBLER helpline receives thousands of calls | News ... - Bluefield Daily Telegraph