Pathologic gambling affects more than 10 million Americans. People with this condition cannot control their impulse to gamble. They almost always end up losing a lot of money and get into financial trouble, causing problems at work and in relationships. Depression and thoughts of suicide, drinking and using illegal drugs often go along with pathologic gambling.
Out of the 3.8 million adults living in Arizona, 14,600 to 38,000 can be classified as pathological gamblers. Another 42,600 to 78,000 Arizona adults are
regular gamblers who are on the path to become pathological gamblers.
To raise awareness and provide education, The Arizona Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Flagstaff Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services
department are sponsoring a workshop to provide an in-depth understanding of gambling and what constitutes problem gambling. Presenter Joanna Franklin, M.S., is a leading expert on multi-cultural gambling treatment concerns. Franklin has designed clinical training programs and has provided gambling treatment training for healthcare providers as well as working with the leaders of more than 15 Native American nations.
The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15 in FMC’s McGee Auditorium, 1200 N. Beaver Street. The cost is $30 and all participants will receive a certificate of completion and six continuing education credits. Refreshments will be provided; participants willbe given a one-hour break for lunch. For more information on problem gambling or to register for the workshop, call 602 568-4328 or visit problemgambling.az.gov.
