September is Recovery Month
September is Recovery Month
September 5, 2017
The Substance Abuse and Mental Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the driving force behind National Recovery Month which is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that proper treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental health and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.
National Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those not only in recovery from a gambling addiction but recovery in general, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions. Observance and participation reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.
Here at the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, we help people get on the road to recovery each and every day. Our 888-ADMIT-IT Helpline is the first touchpoint for problem gamblers and their loved ones seeking help.
By dialing our Helpline, callers are granted access to useful information, referrals, free counseling, and various other programs. More importantly, on the other end of the phone is a trained professional who specializes in helping people with a gambling disorder.
During National Recovery Month, people will often overlook problem gambling as a serious addiction. Here are some statistics regarding gambling and recovery:
- Between 3 and 5 gamblers out of every 100 gamblers struggles with an addictive gambling disorder and many more are at-risk for developing a problem.
- It is estimated that roughly 80 percent of adult Americans gamble on an annual basis.
- It is estimated that nearly 750,000 young Americans, aged 14 to 21, suffers from a severe addictive gambling disorder.
- 40 percent of all gambling addicts began gambling before the age of 17.
- 75 percent of college students admitted to gambling within the past year.
- Young adults in college settings are twice as likely to develop addictive gambling problems than members of any other demographic.
Celebrate Recovery Month by liking on us Facebook and following us on Twitter. If you or someone you love needs to begin the road to recovery, feel free to call 888-ADMIT-IT.