Latest news with #FirstChoiceServices
Dominion Post
3 days ago
- Health
- Dominion Post
Help on gambling is just a call away
As online sports betting and casino apps surge in West Virginia, mental health advocates see a crisis level in gambling for young adults — specifically in Morgantown. The West Virginia 1-800-GAMBLER helpline, operated by First Choice Services, is seeing its busiest year yet. The number of callers seeking help has increased tremendously since the legalization of mobile sports betting and online casino gaming, helpline officials said. 'Every year I say it's the busiest year, and every year, the real calls keep going up,' helpline representative Sheila Moran said. 'The demographics have shifted. It used to be mostly middle-aged women calling. Now it's overwhelmingly younger men, especially in college towns like Morgantown.' With a university, a strong sports culture and students experiencing independence for the first time, Morgantown has become a hotspot for gambling activity. Many callers began betting casually only to find themselves hooked after a big win, Moran said. 'That early high is dangerous. People do not realize how addicting it can be to feel like a winner,' Moran said. 'It's not about money. It's about chasing that feeling.' The 1-800-GAMBLER line offers free, confidential support 24/7. Unlike some national services that have moved toward automation, this helpline still connects callers to real people. The support is widespread and something for each person's comfort level. There are counselor-led support groups, one-on-one therapy with licensed professionals, peer support with others in long-term recovery, self-help resources like podcasts and books, and a new mobile app called PG Connections to connect users with anonymous peer support across the state. First Choice Services also works with family members who may be affected by a loved one's gambling. Parents concerned about their children — or children concerned about their parents — are welcome to call for guidance. 'Ten years ago, if you asked people if they knew someone with a gambling problem, you'd get a few raised hands,' said Moran. 'Now, every hand in the room goes up and everyone has a story.' The organization has also begun outreach in high schools, where gambling is becoming more common among teens. The helpline can be reached by calling or texting 1-800-GAMBLER or visiting to chat with a real person online. 'We want people to know that recovery is possible,' Moran said. 'You don't have to hit rock bottom before reaching out. We are here to help at any stage.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How to stay safe while gambling during March Madness
CLARKSBURG, (WBOY) — Spring is here and so is March Madness, but with that also comes attention to gambling addiction as March is Gambling Awareness Month. First Choice Services Director of Marketing and Communications Sheila Moran said the best way to keep yourself safe from developing addiction patterns is to set a limit and stick to it, which can be the most difficult part. Moran has tips on how to stay aware of potential gambling problems and what you need to look out for. Mountaineer GameDay returns Saturday with Women's Basketball Special 'Things we find is that when you have an early big win that can put you at risk. Now, that sounds off because a lot of people would like to have a big win gambling, but people tell us that when they do have that big win, many times they spend years and years chasing that high, so that's an issue. Certainly, if you have a history of addiction yourself, we get a lot of calls from people who are formerly addicted to drugs or alcohol and they started gambling not realizing that that could be just as addictive so that's certainly an issue. Age is also an issue, we're now getting far more calls from young people than we ever have and research shows that the younger people start gambling, the more likely they can become addicted,' Moran said. For help, you can call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, which is operational 24/7. For long-term help, this number will be able to cover and provide free therapy services that are needed. This help includes access to an app that can block gambling from phones and laptops. Moran said that they don't give the app out publicly and ask that people call first to see if the app is a good fit for them. 'When you're addicted to gambling the last thing you need is more debt trying to pay for treatment,' Moran said. For more information, you can go here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
