WEB LETTER: How to Help a Veteran Battling Gambling Addiction

As we honor and thank those who have served and sacrificed for our country this Veterans Day, it’s important to recognize the many layers of their experiences. When veterans return home and transition out of military service, they often find that while their surroundings may look the same, they themselves have changed. Supporting veterans means understanding that caregiving can take many forms – physical, emotional, and social – especially through connections with fellow service members. It also includes understanding how veterans can be impacted by problem gambling.

Veterans face battles not only during their service but also after returning home. They often struggle with mental health challenges, financial stress, physical limitations, and the weight of others’ expectations. The transition from military life back into civilian life can be extremely difficult. For some veterans, gambling may begin during their time in the military – as a way to escape boredom, manage stress, or recreate the adrenaline rush of combat. Many veterans describe that after coming home, few experiences compare to the intensity of battle – except for the high-risk excitement they feel when gambling. These veterans are at a much higher risk of developing a gambling problem.

Problem Gambling Resources for Veterans, Active Military Personnel, Military Family Members, and Professionals

Did you know that the FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine has Population Specific problem gambling resources for veterans, active military personnel, military family members, and professionals serving these populations? The FCCG’s military program, Combat Gambling Addiction: A Toolkit for the Military, was designed to educate and provide resources for military members (both active duty and retired) and their families. This program offers awareness materials for soldiers, veterans, and their families. In addition, it contains a guide for military health care professionals, screening and assessment tools, a PowerPoint presentation for educational forums, an article for print and online publications, a poster with accompanying brochure, and more.

Connect with Florida’s Most Comprehensive Resource Database for Problem Gambling

Referrals to local VA services around Florida, financial education resources and tools developed specifically for military members and veterans, and of course the FCCG’s Online Program for Problem Gamblers (OPPG), FCCG’s Peer Connect Program, FCCG’s network of Gambling Addiction certified treatment providers, Self-Help Support Groups like Gamblers Anonymous, Self-Exclusion Programs, and much more are available for veterans, active military personnel, and military family members contacting the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine.

Honoring Caregivers is Important, Too

We want to express our gratitude not only to the veterans but also to the caregivers who support them. It takes great dedication and compassion to stand by a veteran – whether through financial assistance, emotional support, or simply being there to listen. Their commitment plays a vital role in helping veterans heal and rebuild their lives. They can also call or text 888-ADMIT-IT to get education, resources, and support as a caregiver to a disordered gambler. It’s essential to educate yourself about problem gambling, so you can provide informed support without getting pulled into the emotional and financial chaos that often surrounds it. When gambling becomes a disorder, individuals may go to great lengths to sustain their addiction – even if it means lying, cheating, or stealing from the people they love and respect.

For more than 35 years, the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has been dedicated to helping individuals and families in need. If you are a caregiver of a veteran who may be showing signs of a gambling problem, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our confidential, multilingual 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine is available 24/7 and offers access to a wide range of resources and support. Contact the HelpLine today.