Support
The Virginia Partnership for Gaming and Health (VPGH) at Virginia Commonwealth University, is a comprehensive solution for all Virginians who need support for problem gambling. Our mission is to inspire hope, build support, and foster solutions to empower every Virginian seeking to transform their lives from problem gambling. We are dedicated to promoting wellness and cultivating strong communities where individuals can thrive. Our vision is to inspire hope, build support and foster solutions.
Connecting with VPGH means connecting you with a plethora of resources, including, but not limited to:
- Access to treatment and recovery funds/resources available through the VPGH network
- Direct referral and coordination of an initial assessment with network clinician
- Provide and/or directly refer to network CPRS for peer services
- Referrals to Gamblers Anonymous, peer groups and other mutual aid groups
- Connection to a one year GamBan subscription, self-exclusion forms and financial counseling through GamFin
- Provide information/connection to other services/resources that fit support seeker needs
- On-going follow-up for up to one year, or longer if needed
- Presentations, training and outreach related to problem gambling, treatment and recovery
How to get help
- VPGH Referral Form
- Virginia Problem Gambling Helpline 888-532-3500
Brief Screening
The Brief Biosocial Gambling Screen (BBGS) is a three-question brief screening instrument that helps a person decide whether to seek a more formal evaluation or treatment of their gambling behavior.
What is gambling disorder?
Problem gambling (sometimes referred to as “gambling addiction” or “gambling disorder”) is gambling behavior that is damaging to a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career. Anyone who gambles can be at-risk for developing a gambling problem. Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health diagnosis.
Some warning signs of a gambling problem are:
- Thinking about gambling all the time.
- Feeling the need to bet more money and more often.
- Going back to try to win your money back (“chasing losses”).
- Feeling restless or irritable when trying to stop or cut down.
- Feeling like you can't control yourself.
- Gambling despite negative consequences.
- In extreme cases, problem gambling can cause bankruptcy, legal problems, losing your job or your family, and thinking about suicide.
For more information on the American Psychiatric Association’s criteria for gambling addiction, visit DSM 5
Source: https://www.ncpgambling.org/
Resources
VA Lottery Voluntary Exclusion Program
Virginia Voluntary Self-Exclusion for individuals that wish to voluntary exclude themselves from sports betting, account based lottery as well as gaming activities administered by the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs (raffle, bingo, network bingo and instant bingo) and the Virginia Racing Commission (live horse racing, off-track betting, historical horse racing, and advance deposit account wagering). Individuals may self-exclude for a period of two-years, five-years, or a lifetime.
"Thank you, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here today. I'm really excited to be on a journey to a new life" -Kevin
“Now that I haven’t been gambling every single day and stressing about sports data every waking moment my jaw pain is almost completely gone and I haven’t been grinding my teeth at night. Recovery is awesome! Thank you!” F.C.
“..I'm sitting in God’s presence allowing his work to be done. Thank you for your awareness on how to turn my life back around. We will and are going to do it one step at a time.” – J.G.
