According to 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data for 2017-2018, of the more than 1,700 callers who identified the gambler’s gender, 66% indicated male, and for those who specified the age and gender (nearly 1,200), 94% were young men between the ages of 18-20.[1] That’s cause for alarm!

Did you know that June is Men’s Health Month, and June 10-16, 2019, is Men’s Health Week? While the initiatives aim to raise awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer, lower insurance rates,[2] less frequent doctor visits,[3] and higher death rates,[4] gambling addiction often goes unmentioned.

Gambling addiction is serious. Known as the hidden addiction, due to a lack of visible symptoms, those affected suffer from a range of consequences, including financial, relationship, career, legal, and mental health difficulties, as well as high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. In addition, an average of 8 to 10 others are affected by each case of problem gambling!

Help Us Make Problem Gambling Awareness a Part of Men’s Health Month

Wear Blue Day is Friday, June 14, 2019, and it’s a simple cause organized by Men’s Health Network to raise awareness of men’s health issues during Men’s Health Week.[1] Join us in blue the Friday before Father’s Day, and help us draw attention to the impact of problem gambling on men. Use hashtag #ShowUsYourBlue on social media to add to the conversation.

The good news is that gambling addiction is treatable, and helpful resources are available. Florida’s 24-7, Confidential, and Multilingual Problem Gambling HelpLine, 888-ADMIT-IT (236-4848), is available to gamblers and loved ones alike to get the help, hope, and resources that can put them on the path to recovery to overcome gambling addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, call 888-ADMIT-IT today.

 

[1] “Wear Blue Day.” Men’s Health Network, Men’s Health Network, www.menshealthnetwork.org/wearblue/friday/.

[1] 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE ANNUAL REPORT. The Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, 2017-2018, 24-HOUR PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE ANNUAL REPORT.

[2] Carrol, Christina, and Titilope Fadiyimu. “Lack of Health Insurance Hinders Medical Care for Men.” Men’s Health Network, Men’s Health Network,www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/inscover.pdf.

[3] “CDC: Women Are 100% More Likely than Men to Seek Preventative Health Care.” Men’s Health Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 26 July 2001, www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/MvWhealthuse072501CDC.pdf.

[4] “Age Adjusted Death Rate: 2015.” Men’s Health Network, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/ageadjusteddeathrate.pdf.