Hamilton, NJ -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/07/2016 -- Recovery from a gambling disorder, whether one that involves sports wagering in Freehold, NJ, casino gambling in Atlantic City or online gaming elsewhere, is always a collective effort. On September 16th, 2016, over 150 professionals connected to problem gambling advocacy, including clinicians, social workers and representatives from state and private gambling companies, all convened at the East Windsor Holiday Inn for the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey's (CCGNJ) 34th Annual Statewide Conference on Compulsive Gambling. The Conference's strong turnout testifies to the power of collaboration in preventing and treating gambling disorders.
This year's workshops and presentations were all geared towards developing a greater understanding of how problem gamblers' diverse cultural backgrounds affect why they gamble and what makes a treatment plan successful. Central to the conference were a keynote presentation by Deborah G. Haskins, Ph.D, LCPC, ICGC-II and a plenary session by Mayumi Okuda Bendavides, M.D.
Dr. Haskins has a long professional history of advocating for problem gamblers and delving deep into understanding how individual cultural backgrounds affect addictions and their treatment. As President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, she has served her community by spearheading initiatives designed to encourage responsible gambling and connect disordered gamblers to treatment resources. Her keynote presentation, "Melting Pot or Mosaic: Diversity & Problem Gambling Awareness," stressed the importance of acknowledging problem gamblers' cultural backgrounds and identities in prevention and treatment efforts.
Like Dr. Haskins, plenary session presenter Dr. Benavides has extensive professional experience in researching, treating and preventing gambling addiction. Dr. Benavides is a practicing psychiatrist at the Gambling Disorders Clinic of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and the co-author of an article entitled "Gambling Disorder and Minority Populations: Prevalence and Risk Factors." At the Conference, Dr. Benavides shared her insights on the different factors that influence the development of gambling disorders, as well as her findings on differing cultural values that have unique effects on why and how gamblers develop addictive behavior.
Throughout the day, attendees took part in other workshops and presentations, all of which were eligible for continuing education credits. The workshops included "Disordered Gambling and its Impact on Individuals, the Family and Society," "Addiction and Intimacy: The Missing Link," "Cultural Diversity in Gambling and Substance Addiction: Implications for Clinical Interventions and Prevention Programming" and "Jewish Identity as a Continuum: A Client-Centered Approach to Cultural Competency."
The CCGNJ would like to express its gratitude towards their presenters and Conference attendees for their work and continued efforts towards enriching their understanding of problem gamblers. As an organization devoted to providing problem gamblers with support, treatment and hope for recovery, the CCGNJ is proud and humbled that such a diverse community is on its side, tirelessly working to bring light into the life of those struggling with this often-hidden addiction.
Those struggling with a fantasy sports gaming addiction, casino gambling addiction or other disordered gambling behavior near Freehold or throughout NJ can call the CCGNJ's hotline, 1-800-GAMBLER. By reaching out, problem gamblers and their loved ones will be connected immediately with resources for support, treatment and hope. Together, the community can heal and continue to spread awareness about gambling disorders.
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.