PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS TRAINING OFFERED
(Placerville, CA) - The El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency, Substance Use Disorder Services is partnering with the California Council on Problem Gambling to present a no cost 60-minute presentation on problem gambling for members of the public and local agencies. Anyone interested in the topic of problem gambling is welcomed to participate in the training.
According to the California Council on Problem Gambling, it's estimated that gambling addiction (clinically known as "gambling disorder") will affect 3.7% of California's adult population during their lifetimes – more than 1.2 million people. Yet, there is a glaring lack of awareness among both the general public and gamblers of the risks of gambling to excess and ways to limit those risks.
The problem gambling awareness training will be offered with a live instructor through the Zoom video platform and available four times during the month of June 2021. Pre-registration is required. During pre-registration, individuals will identify their preferred training date. A Zoom link for the chosen session will be sent to the participant's email address approximately one week before the session.
Dates and times of the Problem Gambling Awareness training are as follows:
- June 21, 2021 (Monday), from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
- June 22, 2021 (Tuesday), from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
- June 23, 2021 (Wednesday), from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- June 24, 2021 (Thursday), from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Individuals may register via the following link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf1qRg1Y6j7wHMMK05z4nCJt_oSFxtVZXAz38uZJuTLzXQXIA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7628.
Materials for the training were developed by the California Council on Problem Gambling in coordination with the California Office of Problem Gambling, Department of Public Health.
Salina Drennan, Manager of El Dorado County Substance Use Disorder Services (SUDS), says she's pleased to bring the training to El Dorado County. "We feel fortunate to help provide valuable information in relation to when a person's gambling becomes a problem and is interfering with their ability to live a healthy, happy life," said Drennan.
"It's important to highlight the problems that may occur when gambling becomes more than fun and games and begins to resemble addiction," added Dennis Wade, Health Educator with SUDS. "Gambling is an addiction related issue that is often overlooked."
Studies show that those who suffer from gambling addiction are more likely to experience serious and adverse consequences to their finances, relationships and both mental and physical health. They are also more likely to develop other addictions (smoking, drinking, drugs, etc.), declare bankruptcy and even commit – and be arrested and incarcerated for – crimes perpetuated in the pursuit of their gambling.
Those with questions about the training, or who are not able to access the training registration link, may contact Wade at (530) 621-6359 or via dennis.wade@edcgov.us.
SUDS is a program of the Behavioral Division of the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency. For more information about SUDS, visit: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/MentalHealth/Pages/SUD.aspx
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