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Gambling addiction a challenge to combat

A thanks from the people of North Dakota is deserved by the Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota.

LSSND runs Gamblers Choice, the only accredited counseling program for problem gambling in North Dakota. Minot Daily News’ senior staff writer wrote a comprehensive piece on the challenge of gambling addiction and LSSND’s efforts to address the situation in Sunday’s Minot Daily News.

Gambling addiction is one of the easiest to hide and to remain invisible until it is too late. After all, if a gambler – even an addict – succeeds and enhances his income, there is unlikely to be any scrutiny on him. For most, gambling is a harmless pastime. Only when it becomes an obvious problem, when it threatens someone’s finances or responsibilities to work and family, is one likely to attract attention for potential addiction. By that time, the damage is largely done and it is a long road to recovery.

Because programs only operate in the state’s four largest cities, the time and expense of traveling and lost work to receive counseling can keep people who need help from getting it. To address that concern, LSSND is developing an online curriculum with KAT Communications of Bismarck. People will be able to complete the online 12-step program at their own pace, either on their own or alongside an addiction counselor. The program eliminates the restriction of location, allowing people to participate in the program from anywhere in the world.

Programs like this are essential. Some believe that if you limit legal access to gambling, the problem will go away. By the same argument, Prohibition should have worked, tobacco companies should have no new customers every year and there would be no drug epidemic. Eliminate every gaming venue and thousands of people will still play cards in living rooms all over the state. Of course, the same governments that oppose gambling venues often also run gambling operations of their own, in the form of lotteries.

As is the case with drug addiction, a holistic approach is needed to address gambling addiction. First and foremost, there needs to be recovery programs available. LSSND is establishing that infrastructure. It’s a solid, necessary step and one that warrants our applause.

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