“USE OUR SPORTS BETTING APP! FEEL LIKE A CHAMPION! if you have a gambling problem call …”

“Fat lot of good that’ll do” she thought every time she heard the almost whispered offer after all those screaming ads. “Like he would ever admit that using the apps is a problem. He stopped feeling like a champion thousands of dollars ago.”

You see and hear them everywhere, the ads for the sports gambling apps that are accessible on your phone. The ads that present gambling as playing, fun, exciting and a way to get in on the game. Like the gambling is a game itself.

But it’s not.

This is a whole new level of temptation for gamblers. Now you can continually satisfy that craving for the adrenaline rush that betting brings. Right in your hands, on your phone, as easy as click click click. Win or lose it’s a constant source of excitement that’s hard to get away from.

And it’s so easy. Just put in your account info and place a bet. Tempting introductory offers, special offers urging you to get in on the action. First it’s the thrill of the win, then the thrill of the chase to win your loss back on the next game. And the next one. Maybe try another team, your luck is sure to improve with them.

Or not.

When the fun evolves into addiction, the clues are subtle. Spending an inordinate amount of time on the phone is common, but not looking away for days could mean online sports gambling has spiraled out of control. Health and hygiene fall by the wayside, showering is a thing of the past. There’s anxiety, irritability, missing work and ducking responsibilities. Some clues are delayed – they arrive weeks later with the credit card bill.

So when there’s so much to lose, why do we continue to think we can win? What if it’s not about the winning, but about the betting. The excitement the betting brings, the buzz you feel with every click. Experiencing the all those highs and lows that seem to be in your control with every bet.

Except they’re not.

Is it you, or someone you know, who has a gambling problem? Or maybe think gambling is a problem but are too scared, or ashamed, to tell anyone? You can reach out to Cindy.

You can also reach out to The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG):

Confidential 24-Hour National Hotline: 800-522-4700

Online Chat: www.ncpgambling.org/chat/

For Additional Information: www.ncpgambling.org/

 

The Recovery Coach NY has years of experience and a vast array of resources that can help those in need find the path to the life they deserve, filled with joy and purpose. We come with an empathetic ear and solution-oriented actions that can begin to bring the relief you and your loved one seek.

To contact Cindy Feinberg, President of The Recovery Coach NY:

Phone or text: 631-921-4085

Email: recoverycoachcindy@gmail.com

Through her website: www.therecoverycoachny.com