Video: Gambling red flags

With all this excitement around the $700 million Powerball jackpot, a local organization is reminding folks that the lottery's not all fun and games for everyone. Playing the lottery is a form of gambling.

Michael Reese is the Gambling Awareness Coordinator with Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) in Berks County. Reese said gambling addiction is as debilitating alcohol addiction.

"Of all the addictions, gamblers are twice as likely to attempt suicide because if they are a million dollars in debtit's kind of hard to work your way out of that," Reese said.

He said raising awareness about gambling addiction is important because it is widely viewed as a socially acceptable behavior.

"We want to discourage adults from giving lottery tickets or any form of gambling to kids because it does start young and it's socially acceptable and highly addictive," Reese added.

There are some red flags that can signal if someone has developed a gambling problem including constantly thinking about gambling; mood swings; betting more than the budgeted amount; and lying about his or her whereabouts and how much money was spent or loss.

Reese said there are some ways that can help control these impulses. He said the key is remembering that gambling is a form of entertainment -- not a way to earn money.

"Set a budget, stick to your budget. Maybe even use a buddy to keep you honest on the budget. And, this is all entertainment money, and also budget your time," Reese said.

There are also ways to get help including reaching out to COCA or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

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Local addiction expert speaks on gambling, Powerball - WFMZ Allentown