Printed: July 3, 2023
With tomorrow being Independence Day, now could be a time when folks typically pause to rejoice our freedom and honor the energetic army and veterans who’ve served to guard it. With veterans being twice as more likely to develop an issue with playing in comparison with civilians, right now can also be a great time to spotlight this drawback and supply sources and assist to those that would possibly want assist.
Analysis has proven that veterans have an elevated threat of creating an issue with playing for a couple of causes. Many army bases present loads of alternatives to gamble, whether or not it’s card video games with others, shopping for scratch-off tickets, and even enjoying the onsite slot machines.
As well as, when army members reside on base, they will typically expertise lengthy durations of boredom or stress, and playing can supply an escape, offering one other alternative for an issue with playing to develop.
As soon as service members return residence, both as veterans or on non-active responsibility, they may be processing some traumatic experiences and navigating the feelings that include them. For this reason veterans are additionally extra more likely to battle with different psychological well being points comparable to post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD), despair, and anxiousness.
The stats:
• Veterans with PTSD are as much as 60% extra more likely to be at-risk with drawback playing
• Melancholy amongst veterans who’ve been identified with disordered playing is as excessive as 76%
• Of veterans who use veteran remedy companies, as much as 10% at-risk with drawback playing
• Amongst veterans in search of remedy, those that have reported making an attempt suicide is as excessive as 40%
Veterans like Josh perceive how playing can take over an individual’s life. He struggled with it for years earlier than deciding he was “sick and bored with being sick and drained.” He lastly reached some extent the place he reached out to get assist by the Downside Playing Helpline and now has over 5 years in restoration.
Watch the video under to listen to Josh’s story. https://vimeo.com/709559870
The skilled and understanding operators on the utterly confidential Downside Playing Helpline can be found to reply calls from the veteran and energetic army neighborhood and anybody else questioning about their playing behaviors or these of somebody they know. Name the free, 24/7 Downside Playing Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or textual content 4HOPE to 741741.
The Nationwide Council on Downside Playing’s on-line prevention device, OperationResponsibleGambling.org, additionally supplies sources for veterans and energetic army members.
Moreover, Earlier than You Guess has assembled a veteran toolkit of sources to boost consciousness about drawback playing and promote accountable playing behaviors. These sources, which embody posters, handouts, and social media posts, can be utilized by any neighborhood group.
Again to Information
