Video: Gambling red flags <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
He said raising awareness about gambling addiction is important because it is widely viewed as a socially acceptable behavior. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\"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. <\/p>\n
There are also ways to get help including reaching out to COCA or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER. <\/p>\n
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Local addiction expert speaks on gambling, Powerball - WFMZ Allentown<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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. Continue reading