March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month–a time to learn more about this silent addiction which effects an estimated 4-6 million adults in the United States. Unfortunately, youth are not immune to issues related to gambling, and for many, their introduction comes in the all-too-familiar form of video games. There are various studies that show…
Compass Mark’s Josh Mountz has been selected to present at the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance’s statewide annual conference. During this year’s conference, Josh will be leading a workshop focused on problem gambling within our aging populations. Josh has worked as a Prevention Specialist for Compass Mark since 2014 and is also a member of our Student…
“The Hidden Addiction”. Experts often refer to gambling disorders this way. There are two main reasons for this. First, there are no physical signs that someone is gambling too much. Substance use disorders cause changes to a person’s physical appearance and health. Aside from appearing run-down or tired, gambling usually has no such effects. Second,…
Prevention of substance use and gambling disorders is NOT simply about telling kids not to do these things. Effective prevention starts with identifying what children and youth in the community need, and then meeting that need with research-backed strategies. Risk & Protective Factors: The Foundation for Effective Prevention Risk factors are those things that increase…
As all but essential workers have stayed largely at home since mid-March, the need for distractions has risen. Hop on the internet and you’ll find many how-to articles for surviving social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Most recommend checking items off your bucket list–or at the very least, cleaning and organizing your home. Stress levels…
By the National Council on Problem Gambling Adopted August 22, 2018 For decades the image of the “degenerate” gambler has been fantasized and stigmatized. But with the recognition that there are as many as 6-8 million people suffering with a gambling disorder, there is a new reality emerging. These individuals are no longer strangers—they are our…
For the month of March, The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) wants to help people have a conversation about something that affects many Americans, but is talked about by few. “Problem Gambling is a disease that affects over seven million Americans, yet few talk about it,” said National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director…
Following the World Health Organization’s classification of gaming addiction as a diagnosable disorder, many parents are wondering if they should be concerned about their children’s gaming habits. While experts have varying opinions about gaming addiction, most agree that allowing children to play video games is usually fine, with limitations on screen time and proper supervision…
Compass Mark took part in raising awareness for National Prevention Week last week. National Prevention Week is a week dedicated to increasing support for the prevention of mental health and substance use disorders. Compass Mark shared several of SAMHSA’s videos of individuals completing the 2018 Prevention Challenge: Dear Future Me. This challenged individuals to submit…
The Supreme Court recently broke a long-time ban on sports betting, allowing individual states to pass legislation allowing sports books to open. Amy Sechrist, Compass Mark’s certified prevention specialist, said this is an important issue for Compass Mark because problem gambling and substance abuse are so often intertwined. “About 4 percent of adults and 6…