March is Gambling Awareness Month

William Lummus is the Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant in the western zone for NL Health Services. He says there are signals that gambling is becoming a problem like issues in life, at work, in school and with finances. 

Many people are involved in some form of gambling, whether it be lotteries, bingos, raffles, and so on. March is Gambling Awareness Month and it was also the topic of this week’s edition of the Plain Truth on Bayfm. The month is designed to increase public awareness about problem gambling as well as related prevention and interventions to encourage responsible practices. Guest William Lummus is the Regional Addictions Prevention Consultant in the western zone for NL Health Services. He says there are signals that gambling is becoming a problem like issues in life, at work, in school and with finances. 

Lummus says high risk gambling can also be considered as a mental health concern that can become a “Gambling Disorder, ” which can be medically treated. He says similar to substance use, gamblers need to bet higher to get that internal reward that creates that dopamine rush but withdrawals can also include irritability, anxiousness, hiding the impacts, and being preoccupied constantly by gambling.  Lummus says when you can’t stop despite when it causes harm, it has become a gambling disorder.