Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/14/2018 -- Through awareness campaigns and educational resources, the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey (CCGNJ) helps local communities understand the symptoms, risk factors, and public health consequences of disordered gambling, which affects millions of Americans annually. With a better understanding of issues relating to disordered gambling, such as so-called alcohol "addiction" (more accurately called alcohol use disorder), the Meadowlands area and other communities throughout New Jersey may be better equipped to help their residents recover.
For example, the CCGNJ has partnered with Phoenix Risings Counseling Center to offer a free 30-hour training course on disordered gambling for mental health professionals that begins on March 1st, 2018. By completing the training, attendees can meet the education requirements for becoming an International Certified Gambling Counselor through the International Gambling Counselor Certification Board. With access to counselors familiar with the treatment of disordered gambling, communities can more easily learn the facts about such behavior. Those interested in this course can call Sue Wurtz at 609-588-5515 Ext. 14 for more information.
By providing other educational resources through outreach efforts and on their website, the CCGNJ helps to reduce the stigma associated with disordered gambling, a factor that often prevents problem gamblers from seeking treatment. For example, friends or family of a disordered gambler can find Gam-Anon meetings through the Find A Help Meeting page of the CCGNJ's site. Gam-Anon provides support to problem gamblers' loved ones and also educates them on how to best understand and support a disordered gambler in their lives.
"In recent years, public understanding of disordered gambling has improved greatly," said Neva Pryor, Executive Director of the CCGNJ. "We encourage community members to continue the conversation and help friends and loved ones recover from disordered gambling."
For additional educational resources concerning the possible consequences of disordered gambling, like bankruptcy, Freehold residents and members of other New Jersey communities can visit the CCGNJ's website, https://800gambler.org/. For immediate support with disordered gambling, call or text the organization's free, confidential hotline, 800-GAMBLER.
About The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to helping individuals seek help for their disordered gambling problem, and for concerned friends and loved ones to confidentially express their concerns about someone close to them. Their 24/7 hotline is 800-GAMBLER. The Council also works to train professionals in the fields of gambling addiction and recovery.
For more information, please visit http://www.800gambler.org.