by Andrew John Tucker, LCSW
Researched by Corina Evi Tucker y de la Huerta
www.addictiontherapynyc.com
What many clinicians are beginning to notice is that online gambling is resembling the early stages of the opioid crisis…rapid expansion, easy access, and public awareness lagging behind the clinical reality. Did you get your OxyContin hat at the in-service when we were talking about 1% dependency rates back in the day? Exactly…..
A few facts worth paying attention to:
• Roughly 2.5 million U.S. adults meet criteria for severe gambling disorder, and another 5–8 million experience mild to moderate problems. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision allowing states to legalize sports betting, over 38 states now offer legal sports wagering, dramatically increasing access through mobile platforms. (American Gaming Association)
• The harm rarely affects just one person. Research suggests 6–10 additional people may be impacted for every individual with a gambling disorder, including partners, children, and extended family members. (National Council on Problem Gambling)
• Gambling disorder is associated with one of the highest suicide risks among behavioral addictions, with studies estimating up to 20% of individuals with severe gambling problems attempt suicide at some point in their lives. (Wardle et al., The Lancet Public Health; Journal of Behavioral Addictions)
One of the quiet drivers of addiction is self-stigma. When people believe their struggle reflects a personal failure, they often stay silent and delay asking for help. With gambling, that silence can be amplified by the environment surrounding it. Advertising is constant, betting apps are designed for frictionless access, and regulation has struggled to keep pace with the speed of technological expansion. We’ve seen this pattern before. During the early years of the opioid crisis, irresponsible false marketing and availability often moved faster than public awareness and policy. The result was predictable: people struggled privately for far too long before support systems caught up.
The good news is that help exists, and there are dedicated professionals working to expand access to treatment.
I recently had a great conversation with Rachel Lauria, Bureau Director of Treatment & Recovery at the New York Council on Problem Gambling, who is doing important work connecting people with recovery services across New York State. At a time when gambling access and marketing are expanding faster than most people realize, her work focuses on strengthening the systems that help individuals find support. By building referral networks and expanding awareness of available services, Rachel and her team are helping ensure that when someone decides to step past the silence created by self-stigma and ask for help, the recovery infrastructure is ready to meet them.
If you or someone you know is looking for help, the Problem Gambling Resource Centers (PGRC) can connect callers to confidential support and referrals to professionals specializing in gambling disorder.
📍 Find your regional center:
https://lnkd.in/ePn63G6T
NYC: (917) 994-8377
Long Island: (516) 226-8342
Any of the numbers on the map will connect callers with services in their region.
The earlier people reach out, the better the outcomes tend to be.
Help to Stop Gambling – NYS PGRCs
If you or anyone you know might benefit from a free consultation with a Clinical Addiction Specialist, fill out the confidential form on my website www.addictiontherapynyc.com, and I will reach out to you within 12 hours.
