Being Thankful is Good for Your Health

By Sasha C. Russell, Program Specialist – Communications, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

 

Last week, our Communications Intern, Thalia Yunen, discussed ways to be happy in recovery. One way to be happy and to keep a positive attitude is by recognizing all that you have. Sometimes people who are struggling with gambling and with being in recovery, or those whose family members are impacted by the disorder, can start focusing on losses, and in turn, lose sight of what they have right in front of them.

The article “A Dose of Gratitude: How Being Thankful Can Keep You Healthy” by Robin Madell, says that studies done on the topic of positive psychology have shown that people who are aware and thankful for what they have tend to:

·         take better care of themselves physically and mentally,

·         engage in more protective health behaviors and maintenance,

·         get more regular exercise,

·         eat a healthier diet,

·         have improved mental alertness,

·         schedule regular physical examinations with their doctor,

·         cope better with stress and daily challenges,

·         feel happier and more optimistic,

·         avoid problematic physical symptoms,

·         have stronger immune systems, and

·         maintain a brighter view of the future.

Though most people tend to focus expressing their gratitude during the month of November, it’s important that we remain thankful year-round to really understand and receive the full benefits that gratitude can offer. Madell offers four suggestions on how to maintain gratitude in November and beyond.

·         Focus Attention Outward: As the article states, “paying more attention to what’s happening around us versus inside of us can make all the difference in how we feel.”

·         Be Mindful of What You Have: The focus here should not be on what we don’t have, but what we do have. For example, having the latest material items such as TVs, cars, clothes, and electronic devices, aren’t going to help you on your recovery journey. What will help you, is having a support system, be it family, friends, or even your local 12-step group.

·         Keep a Gratitude Journal: This is something that I have decided to start doing myself. Though I don’t always remember to write down what I am thankful for, I make a point each night to think about at least one thing that I feel grateful for. In some cases this process has caused me to go back to focusing my attention outward by reaching out to friends, old and new; family; and acquaintances to let them know they’re appreciated. Sometimes it’s because of something they did for me, and other times I want them to know I appreciate them just for existing. Doing this has helped me to reconnect with some people, and build stronger relationships with others.

·         Reframe Situations as Positive: Everyone’s life experience is different. The more you continue to let yourself be bogged down by unrealistic expectations and negative thinking, the harder it will be to feel better about yourself and your life. Personally, I try to make a point to find at least one positive point to every negative situation I find myself in. Many times the positives are hard to see, but keep looking – as they say, under every rain cloud is a silver lining.  

We recognize that expressing gratitude doesn’t erase problems, but, it can aid in helping you feel better about a situation that is bringing you down. If you or a loved one are experiencing struggles with gambling, and having trouble finding your silver lining, don’t hesitate to call our 24/7 helpline: 800.426.1234. We understand the problem. We can help.

How to be Happy in Recovery

By Thalia Yunen, Communications Intern, Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

Each individual’s recovery journey, while having some similarities, is a unique experience. Sometimes people may be afraid to start the journey because they attach the feeling of happiness to their addiction. It’s important that people understand that being in recovery does not mean you’ll never experience happiness again. Mahatma Gandhi, purveyor of non-violent civil disobedience and influential man overall, once said “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

Happiness seems to be the most persistent mirage in the history of human kind. We all pursue it. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that 1 in 10 Americans report themselves as having experienced depression. Research also suggests that out of those diagnosed with a gambling disorder, 73% had an alcohol disorder, 38% had a drug use disorder, and nearly 50% had a mood disorder, like depression or bipolarity. We understand that sometimes being happy can be harder than an attitude adjustment, and sometimes may include needing counselling or medication, however, positive thinking is still very powerful and can go a long way.

Here are some things you can keep in mind, based off of an article by Linda Kelsey which was featured in the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail, “12 Secrets of Being Happy, Using Research from 100 World Experts, a New Book Shows How to Look on the Bright Side.”

1.       Live in the moment. We invest so much of ourselves in the future. We think, “when I lose weight I will be happy,” or “when I make ‘this much’ money, I’ll be even happier.” Goals are great to have, but don’t base your happiness off of the future – as it hasn’t happened yet. If you base your happiness on solely on what’s to come, you run the risk of being let down. You may even start to notice a pattern: once you get something - you want something else, and you’ll always trick yourself into believing that your next move will make you happiest. 
2.       Don’t compare yourself to others. We compare ourselves to others because it gives us cues as to where we should be in life. Everyone does it, but comparing yourself to the point of making yourself feel inadequate can be unhealthy, and can cause you to fall into negative thinking patterns. 
3.       Acceptance. We often don’t accept ourselves because of criticisms that are handed to us, sometimes by those closest, and other times by society in general. Other times we don’t accept ourselves because we feel like never accepting our current state will push us to work harder. Whatever the reason, make sure to set realistic goals for yourself. This way you can gradually get the results you’d like without rejecting your entire self. Don’t confuse self-motivations with denial of the self. 
4.       Stay busy. Many people see gambling as a hobby, and do it for social reasons, causing them to think they may not be able to have fun without gambling. It’s important to keep in mind that you can still be productive and social without gambling. There are plenty of hobbies and activities you can take part in that will help to keep you from sitting at home and living in negative head space. A study done by the National Center of Biotechnology Information called “Idleness Aversion and the Need for Justifiable Business” suggests that people actually like to be busy as long as they’re using their time effectively. 
5.       Stop worrying, think positively.  I’m going to fail. I don’t look good. I’m having a bad day. I’m worthless. I can’t do this. Negative thoughts breed negative actions. If you constantly re-orient your mind to think positively, you won’t have time to worry or think “what if?” 
6.       Don’t run from sadness. It is important to work on your happiness, but make sure to be authentic in your emotional journey to be happy. This means recognizing when you’re sad and allowing yourself to feel distressing emotions. Don’t seek to replace your emotions or bury them. 
7.       Nurture your relationships. A sociology professor once told me, “There is no such thing as Tarzan, a man who is raised my animals. Human beings cannot survive without each other. In fact, we out of all animals, appear to need the longest period of nurturing.” This is something to keep in mind when you’re thinking about the kinds of relationships you have in your life. Relationships based on trust, support and love for example, could yield you a lot of happiness. 
8.       Be okay with things not going your way. Happy people are flexible. They know how to bounce back when things don’t go their way. 
9.       Body, Mind, Spirit. You don’t have to be a runner to take care of your body, just as you don’t have to practice a religion in order to be spiritually connected with yourself. Taking time for yourself is important, the amount of time is entirely your prerogative - be it 30 minutes a week or an hour per day. Nurture your body, mind, and spirit, to find yourself a lot calmer, and a lot more level-headed. Here’s a list of 55 ways to take care of yourself when in the midst of life’s chaos.

The working definition of recovery according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA), is, “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” They also offer other characteristics of happiness in recovery here.

While a positive attitude certainly doesn’t hurt, sometimes professional help is needed. Don’t be ashamed if you feel this way, as you are not alone.  According to an article from Psych Central, for over three decades, scientists have attributed a chemical imbalance in the brain as a major source of depression. In other words, while self-help is important, going to your doctor to discuss your health and happiness is important, as they may see something that you don’t.

If you’re in recovery and find that you’re feelings of unhappiness are persistent, call our 24/7 helpline at 800.426.1234.

If you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself, don’t hesitate to call our partners at Samaritans:

Samaritans Statewide Toll-Free - 877.870.4673

Samariteens – 800.252.8336

Samaritans 24 hour Helplines – 617.247.0220, 508.875.4500

Forum on Responsible Gambling

by Sasha C. Russell, Program Specialists – Communications, the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

Panelists Dr. Rachel Volberg (left), Principal Investigator on the Massachusetts Gaming Commission’s (MCG) Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) study and Keith Whyte (middle), Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, pose for a picture with MCG’s Director of Research and Problem Gambling, Mark Vander Linden (right).

On Monday, October 28^th, the Council collaborated with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MCG) to host the Forum on Responsible Gaming at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

There are numerous provisions in the Expanded Gaming Act to mitigate harm which may occur through the introduction of casinos and slot parlors. One such provision is for the Commission to adopt a Massachusetts Responsible Gaming framework that will guide the development of regulation and assist gaming operators in establishing a site-based responsible gambling program.

This forum was solely dedicated to the topic of responsible gambling. The goal was to provide the Commissioners and the community with an understanding of the basic concepts of responsible gambling. Information and research on elements and characteristics of a responsible gaming program were discussed amongst a panel of experts.  

Mark Vander Linden, MCG Director of Research and Problem Gambling, welcomed the Commissioners and attendees to the forum. He clarified that the purpose of the forum was to shape a document, Commission policy, and to assist the gaming industry in developing what processes they need to implement in order to mitigate problem gaming. Responsible gambling is woven into the statute, and therefore, it is important that the time is taken to fully comprehend all that it means.

MCG Chairman, Stephen P. Crosby, explained that because of the statute, along with an industry-wide recognition of the importance of responsible gambling best practices to mitigate the potential negative effects of expanded gambling, they created the position that Vander Linden now holds. In addition, they sought out a research team to take a deep data-driven look into the social and economic impact of gambling in the Commonwealth. Panelist, Dr. Rachel Volberg, is the Principal Investigator for this study.

Warner talked on problem gambling as a public health concern for Massachusetts. She expressed the importance of the Council’s neutral stand point when it comes to legalized gambling in the Commonwealth, and also noted that problem gambling as a public health concern requires several things in order to be successful in the future. One critical component is consensus regarding parameters. She stated, “Consensus regarding parameters is just one thing that we are here to discuss today, but the questions are so large that it is just the tip of the iceberg—the who in terms of responsibility and involvement is very unclear, as well as the question of who efforts are focused on (most severe or those with possibility of problem), the what and how is quite debatable as you’ll hear this afternoon, and the why and where, while seem clear at very first glance, are hard to distinguish. Are we worried about incidence or prevalence, prevention or treatment, and do we worry about Mass. residents that gamble in Mass, or do we care or worry if they gamble in other New England states, and how about the people from other places that gamble here and then leave?” 

Warner was followed by,

·       Dr. Howard Shaffer, Associate Professor, Harvard Medical School and Director of the Division on Addiction, discussed responsible gambling: from concept to practice,

·       David O. Stewart, Counsel, Ropes and Gray, and legal and regulatory advisor to the American Gaming Association (AGA), talked about the origins of the American Gaming Association (AGA) Code of Conduct & an industry perspective on responsible gambling governmental regulation, and

·       Keith Whyte, Executive Director, National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), discussed the unique position Massachusetts is in to design model standards & a national call to action.

Stewart confirmed the industry’s awareness, "We didn't get into responsible gambling because we had to. We did it because it's the right thing to do." 

Dr. Jeffrey Marotta, Clinical Associate Professor, Oregon Health & Science University, and President/Senior Consultant, Problem Gambling Solutions, moderated the afternoon panel discussion. Marotta opened the discussion with an overview on example responsible gambling frameworks.

The panel included:

·       Dr. Natasha Dow Schull, Associate Professor, Program on Science, Technology, and Society, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and author of Addiction by Design, presented on technological design features of gaming machines,

·       Marotta followed Schull’s discussion by discussing advertising and marketing practices in terms of responsible gambling,

·       Dr. Lia Nower, Director of Gambling Studies, Rutgers University, spoke on player information/informed decision making,

·       Dr. Robert Ladouceur, Professor Emeritus, Laval University, centered his conversation on pre-commitment - before engaging in gambling activities, people would be able to set a limit to how much they will gamble,

·       Whyte talked about play tracking with behavior analytics,

·       Dr. Debi LaPante, Director of Research and Academic Affairs, Division on Addiction, discussed responsible gambling strategies regarding casino employee training,

·       Ladouceur presented on self-exclusion Programs: a step in the right direction,

·       Nower focused on self-exclusion: legal and policy considerations,

·       Warner talked about the importance of on-site counseling space & collaborations, and

·       Volberg noted the importance of evaluating responsible gambling efforts.

The forum concluded with a discussion between the Commissioners and Experts, which allowed questions and concerns to be raised. Chairman Crosby asked, “How do we come up with best practices now that we have all of this information?”

Whyte responded by reiterating the importance of strengthening partnerships with organizations such as the Mass. Council and the NCPG, as well as researchers, providers, and people affected by gambling problems. In addition, he said that MCG and partners should keep in mind the regulatory statutes as guiding principles when developing best practices in regards to responsible gambling.

Nower advised the Commissioners to pick one issue and create a working group. Once that issue is resolved, move on to the next.

The Forum was filled with helpful information, and was the promising start to creating responsible gambling standards that will be successfully implemented before the casinos break ground.

This is a Game Changer!

By Sasha C. Russell, Program Specialists, Communications, The Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling

On Thursday, October 24^th, the Council celebrated its 30^th Anniversary at the University Club and Restaurant located on the University of Massachusetts – Amherst campus. The event was a success, with over 80 people present. This was the first of three house parties we’re planning to raise awareness about gambling problems and services available for help in communities across the Commonwealth.

The host committee included:

Arthur Friedman and Tom Lavoie

along with

Baxter Chandler

William A. Dávila

Henry East-Trou

Karen Jacobus

Geoffrey Locke

Jaime Maldonado

Anne Marie Martineau

Haemoon Oh

UMASS Amherst SEIGMA (Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts)

Massachusetts Partnership for Responsible Gambling

The Massachusetts State Lottery

Suffolk Downs

MGM Resorts International

Mohegan Sun Massachusetts

Plainridge Racecourse

Executive Director, Marlene Warner, explained, “Although I am confident that we have set a solid foundation, we have so much more to do and we need your help. We need to expand our treatment options from 11 state-funded outpatient facilities with limited geographic diversity, to multimodality options that can meet the needs of people in crisis, as well as people who need the occasional telephone recovery support conversation, and everyone in between. We need to build evidence-based programs in prevention and intervention into our community-based programs for people most in need, such as young adults and older adults—so that we can lend support to them and build a base upon which best practices in the future can be built. And we need to support giving people a leg up—whether that be through the implementation of our Square One program that puts people previously incarcerated for gambling-related crimes back to work in meaningful careers, or through scholarships for people in recovery working to further their education.” 

Warner also noted that the Council has been around for 30 years thanks to the strength of those who have supported the Council in different ways. The list includes people who work at institutions of higher education, detox programs, researchers, those who have struggled with gambling disorders, whether it be personally or in their family, and those who have helped people through those struggles. She said, “Everyone has been and is important on this journey.”

Dr. Friedman’s speech expressing the importance of community support resonated with those in attendance, “With legalized gambling coming to the state, we ALL need to support the Council to ensure that the needs of people with problem and pathological gambling (and their families) are met, and that already vulnerable populations are not further compromised. WE, the people in this room, are part of our community’s safety net. WE, can provide the help and support needed for individuals and families struggling with gambling addiction. WE, can continue to build a continuum of care, advocate for responsible gaming and work collaboratively to expand the resources available to problem gamblers and their families.”

Just like those in recovery, this journey cannot be done alone and without support. The Council relies not only on support from the legislature, but our individual donors who make all the difference in helping us do what we can to meet the needs of the 351 towns across the Commonwealth.

Dr. William Dávila, Program Director, Gandara Center, spoke from his heart as he referenced his own community, “This is personal for us. We’ve seen the damage that disordered gambling does. We’re doing all we can to prepare our clinicians before casinos open. We are lockstep with the Council on getting the word out.”

There are many ways to get involved with the Council, and show your support:

·      donate – every little bit helps!

·      volunteer – help us by donating your time,

·      take action – contact legislators and let them know that services for gambling disorder are important to you,

·      share your story  -- consider participating in our Wisdom Exchange Program,

·      become a member,

·      collaborate with us,

·      partner with us.

You can read more about how to get involved on our website, or by emailing the Council.

To view pictures from the event, click here.