Bet On Yourself
Editor’s Note: To participate/support the national study on sports betting and the educational public health campaign, call 860.712.8960 or reach out to thebehavioralhealthhour@gmail.com
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I've figured out how to solve the sports gambling problem.
It dawned on me about 9 hours into our drive from New England to IU to move Jack back into college. One of his friends Ben had gambled away the $6,200 he earned this summer that was to help cover his tuition. His parents know, but don’t know how to help, Jack said.
I say "Bet on yourself." It’s really my wife’s mantra and, give her credit, it really ought to be the national rallying cry for the growing number of teens and young adults, typically males, losing thousands overnight, finding themselves addicted to the rush of a late night Ping Pong match on ESPN 8. It's interesting, of all the addictions, sports gambling is unique as many say they see it as a potential career. Heck Jack has polled his 80,000 podcast followers and 3 of 4 say they think they could earn enough money at it so they don't have to have a real job. I say bet on yourself - we all have something we can be good at, even if it’s not tangible, even if it’s something that doesn’t fill up the bank account all that quickly.
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The health system is starting to see the effects of this underappreciated epidemic. "We see it as a gateway to other addictions," says ER physician Vu Narayans.
It’s a bit perplexing that 20 some states and counting have legalized online sports betting, but these same states and others won’t allow mental health therapists or programs to treat these addictions unless they have a license in the state where the patient is. We’ve made a bet that people can gamble responsibly, the same pact we made to drink responsibly.
Kenny Rogers was probably right – we ought to know when to fold ‘em, if we only knew how to walk away and replace the addiction with something different, something healthier. Therein lies one of the least discussed but most important quality measures for behavioral health practitioners, insurers and policymakers to prioritize – don’t just fix, solve. Don’t pay for a session, find a way to pay for “recovery.”
For sports gambling, there is a growing continent of sub-specialists who are set up to get patienst to recovery There's a specific certification that matters here (the ICOGS or ICCG) but oft times people end up in treatment with someone who specializes in treating substance abuse. It's a different addiction and parents, providers and insurers need to understand and communicate the differences. If you’re looking to find your niche in the great big behavioral health market, or just looking to help your kid or friend stop the compulsion, maybe help them place a bet on themselves.
Contact us for more information on how to find resources to address sports gambling.