March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month #PGAM2023

A photo of two people having a conversation and text that says 'Celebrating 20 years, March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, #PGAM2023'

This March, AdCare Maine and the Maine Council on Problem Gambling will join the National Council on Problem Gambling in observing Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM).A picture of text that says, 'Problem gambling, gambling disorder, or gambling addiction includes all gambling behavior patterns that compromise, disrupt or damage personal, family or vocational pursuits. The symptoms include: increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money more frequently, “chasing” losses (betting even more to try to recoup previous losses), restlessness/irritability when trying to stop, loss of control manifested by continuation of gambling despite mounting, serious, negative consequences in extreme cases, problem gambling can result in financial ruin, legal problems, loss of career and family, or even suicide ($7 billion social cost in America alone!) Problem Gambling Awareness Month #PGAM2023’

The 2023 PGAM theme is “Celebrating 20 Years” #PGAM2023

The goals of this national campaign are:

  1. To increase public awareness of problem gambling and the availability of prevention, treatment & recovery services.
  2. To encourage healthcare providers to screen clients for problem gambling.

#1 Increase Public Awareness: It’s easy to integrate problem gambling awareness into your organization during March.

  • Download our flyer: Has Gambling Become a Problem
  • Order free brochures, wallet cards, and other materials from the Maine Prevention Store.
  • Download our resource guide, with screening tools, self-help guides, peer support groups, and a comprehensive list of problem gambling programs and resources for individuals, families, and professionals in Maine.
  • Host a problem gambling information session with AdCare’s Problem Gambling Services Coordinator. This free service can be delivered to any group in Maine upon request (for example, parent groups, recovery centers, employers, treatment agencies, student groups, etc.). The content is personalized to the group’s needs and can be delivered in-person or via Zoom.
  • Attend and/or promote the Annual Conference on Problem Gambling Awareness Webinar Series – Gambling and the Big Picture: Full details and registration at https://cvent.me/dXZN4R
    • This series, offered at no cost, will feature 3 respected experts, covering topics and trends in problem gambling including co-occurring disorders, day trading, finances, and the unique considerations related to sports wagering. Join us for all 3 sessions or choose just the ones that interest you.

#2: Support Gambling Disorder Screening Day

March 14 is Gambling Disorder Screening Day.  You don’t necessarily have to add gambling screening questions to your intake (though we’d love to help you do that if it’s a goal). You can provide self-screening tools in in your waiting area for people to browse and that may start a conversation. Here are two options to download and print:

Take a look at the Screening Day Toolkit provided by Cambridge Health Alliance Division of Addiction.

For more information on screening, download the Maine Problem Gambling Screening Toolkit.

Share our posts on social media. During March, we’ll be sharing numerous PGAM and Screening Day posts.  Help us spread the word by sharing some posts with your followers.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AdCareME

https://www.facebook.com/MaineCouncilProblemGambling

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdCareME

https://twitter.com/MEProbGambling

Do you have any questions?  You can reach Lori Manson, Problem Gambling Services Coordinator via email at lmanson@adcareme.org or call (207) 626-3615 ext. 20

Photos of the 3 presenters and text that says 'Maine's Annual Conference on Problem Gambling Awareness Webinar Series Gambling and the Big Picture March 17 1:00 2:00 PM ET Gambling Disorder and Co-occurring Problems with Jon E. Grant MD, March 24 1:00 2:30 PM ET Gambling, Finances, and Money Matters with Dan Trolaro MS, March 29 1:00 2:15 PM ET Perspectives on the Impact of Sports Betting Mind, Body, and Brain with Timothy Fong MD maineproblemgambling.org, adcareme.org/trainings'