Tag: #AddictionAwareness

Life can get busy with work, family, and everyday responsibilities, but for those who feel lonely or down, each day can feel like an eternity—especially for individuals struggling with problem gambling, substance use, depression, or other behavioral challenges. At the Florida Council on Problem Gambling (FCCG), our goal is to educate the public and raise…
Read more

Whether you’re just beginning to think about quitting gambling or have already taken steps toward recovery, it’s important to understand what drives your gambling behavior. It often begins with an urge or thought—free time, the desire to escape, and easy access to money are some of the strongest triggers. Relapse is part of a cycle,…
Read more

The holidays are here again, and for problem gamblers, this season can bring added stress—especially when money is already tight for food, family, and gifts. With the rising cost of everything from groceries to gas, it’s even more challenging to make ends meet. Each December, we join the Gift Responsibly Campaign to raise awareness about…
Read more

The holidays can be stressful for anyone, but when you add gambling addiction and all that comes with it, the pressure can feel overwhelming. Extra expenses for family meals, gifts, travel, and having children home from school can quickly add up, and by the time New Year’s arrives, the stress can seem endless. Whether you’re…
Read more

Gambling often begins as a harmless form of entertainment – an occasional bet, a night out at the casino, a few clicks on a mobile app. But for some, what starts as fun can spiral into a pattern of risk, loss, and emotional turmoil. One of the most painful consequences of problem gambling is the…
Read more

Problem gambling is often called the “hidden addiction” because, unlike substance abuse, it leaves no physical signs that can be smelled or seen. For many, gambling begins as a form of fun and entertainment, but for those with a tendency toward addiction or escape behaviors, it can quickly spiral out of control. At that point,…
Read more

When reflecting on your gambling habits and questioning whether they may be a problem, a good starting point is to notice if you’re spending increasing amounts of money or time on gambling. It’s also important to examine the reasons behind why you gamble. Disordered gambling may begin with a single big win or gradually take…
Read more

Ever find yourself asking, “Why am I back in the same place I swore I’d move past?” It’s easy to fall into familiar patterns, hoping for different results without changing what drives them. But our beliefs shape our behaviors—and those behaviors shape our outcomes. When you recognize that cycle, you can start to see how…
Read more

None of us go through life without experiencing loss, and the grief that comes with it. While some people are naturally equipped with stronger coping mechanisms, others may face more frequent or intense losses. Each new loss can stir up the pain of previous ones, bringing old wounds back to the surface. Grieving is a…
Read more

Many adults may not realize that children can start gambling at a very young age. Nowadays, with most children receiving smartphones around the ages of 10 to 11, this not only exposes them to social media peer pressure but also to the risk of engaging in gambling as minors. Problem gambling is a hidden addiction…
Read more