The Hidden Addiction Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode we welcome Deborah Lavaud and Jessica McCarthy, Team Leaders for the NYC and Central Problem Gambling Resource Centers. They join us to discuss the connection between socioeconomics and problem gambling. Questions that are discussed include:

• Why is this topic important?
• How is problem gambling viewed differently within different socioeconomic levels?
• Why do you believe socioeconomics create differences in view of problem gambling?
• How do socioeconomics affect problem gambling support efforts?
• What are some different impacts of socioeconomics being observed within different regions?
• What resources do you offer for support?
• What additional resources do you feel are needed?
• What are some upcoming trainings on the connection of problem gambling and socioeconomics?
• What recommendations do you have to support those who are struggling due to socioeconomic disparities?
• What can communities do?
• What is Voluntary Self-Exclusion (VSE)?
• What are the benefits of VSE?

In this episode we welcome Angela DiRosa and Shanley Olszowy, Program Managers for the Western Problem Gambling Resource Center. They join us to discuss screening for problem gambling as a special highlight during Problem Gambling Awareness Month, which takes place in March. Some specific topics that are covered include:

• Why is it important to understanding problem gambling?
• Why is problem Gambling considered a hidden addiction?
• How is problem gambling different from other addictions?
• What is screening for problem gambling and why is it important?
• What is the Lie-Bet screening tool?
• What is Problem Gambling Awareness Month?
• What can attendees look forward to during our 2025 Annual Conference, taking place on March 11-13, 2025 in Albany NY.

The Hidden Addiction Podcast is going statewide! As the New York Council on Problem Gambling grows, the podcast will be expanding to include new hosts, guests, and topics. Join us for season 3 as we introduce new members of the podcast team. Visit NYProblemGamblingHELP.org for more information.

Additional Resources

Shine A Light

Shine a Light Facebook Page

In this episode we have Rachel Mai, who has been contracted through the New York Council on Problem Gambling to provide support to the Asian community in the New York City region. Rachel talks about the preceptions of gambling, the barriers to care, and what are the next steps toward addressing gambling addiction within this community.

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems related to their gambling, please know help is available. We can be reached at Mid-HudsonPGRC@nyproblemgambling.org or 914-215-6440 and we will help you access resources.

In this episode, we have a guest host from New York City PGRC and Dr. Deborah Haskins. Together we talk about the systemic barriers affiliated with the world of problem gambling. Dr. Haskins breaks down the barriers in treatment, prevention, and organizationally. In order for us to move forward and be able to serve a variety of communities we have to check our own implicit biases. As Dr. Haskins put it, we need to step aside.

For more information about Dr. Haskins and her advocacy work, please visit her website https://www.drdeborahhaskins.com/advocacy-1

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems related to their gambling, please know help is available. We can be reached at Mid-HudsonPGRC@nyproblemgambling.org or 914-215-6440 and we will help you access resources.

We have been discussing gambling addiction for two seasons, and have had many guests describe the addiction for what it is and how it has affected the gambler, but we have not spoken about the affected other. In this episode, we speak to Kelly, a mother of 2 and a wife of a person struggling with gambling addiction. She talks about how the addiction affected her marriage, and her mental health, how they are breaking down stigmas and normalizing conversations within their family. Listen to her story, her recovery journey to find herself in the midst of someone else's storm.

I. Butterfly Podcast- https://open.spotify.com/show/5QZDQVNDNDBjDilq6XyydV?si=45195627d5624f2f

For more information about can email Kelly at ibutterflypodcast@yahoo.com

If you or a loved one is experiencing problems related to their gambling, please know help is available. We can be reached at Mid-HudsonPGRC@nyproblemgambling.org or 914-215-6440 and we will help you access resources.

In this episode, of The Hidden Addiction Podcast, our host discusses how people use gambling as a way to escape the many challenges they may face in their lives daily. We discuss how to look for the signs and how to get help.

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If you or a loved one is experiencing problems related to their gambling, please know help is available. We can be reached at Mid-HudsonPGRC@nyproblemgambling.org or 914-215-6440 and we will help you access resources.

For Recovery Month, we wanted to highlight two amazing women, Dr. Sandra Adell and Karen Lee Reddick, both in recovery from gambling addiction, and are creating spaces for other black women to share their stories. We discuss on this episode why representation in treatment and support programs matters, the stigma about women in addictions, and provide hope for black women seeking to find help and share their story.

Resources

Black Lesbian United- https://blacklesbiansunited.org/

Gamblers in Recovery- https://gamblersinrecovery.com/

Problem Gambling support group for Black women- please contact- klee126@gmail.com

Book- Confessions of a Slot Machine Queen- $ 23.95 with $10 shipping. Please email Dr. Sandra Adell @ saadell@wisc.edu if interested.

Dr. Adell is also working on a part 2 of her book series called And Then the Casinos Came: Narratives of Gambling and Loss. If any black women struggling with problem gambling or are in recovery and would like to share your story to be in the book please contact Dr. Adell saadell@wisc.edu.

More than ever we need to keep pushing the message of spreading awareness about problem gambling. It is imperative that we continue to advocate for a variety of treatment options to meet the need of our community.

On this episode, we asked the staff at the New York Council on Problem Gambling what their favorite episode was. We also asked a few questions as to why talking about gambling addiction is important and what people can do to raise awareness.