Talk to focus on gambling addiction
Amanda Teller
The MCC Social Work program will host the first Introduction to Compulsive Gambling brown bag lunch special on Oct. 28 with guest speaker, Renee Siegel, founder of the ABC Wellness Center in Scottsdale. “There is a huge, huge problem,” said Kimberly Davidson, a social work student who is participating in the social work honors program.
“Compulsive gambling afflicts people of all ages. That’s one of the reasons we’re starting it at a community college,” said Davidson, who is also a recovering compulsive gambler.
“The age bracket that it affects is becoming younger and younger. Gambling is so prevalent that it’s just affecting more and more youngsters.”
Because it is the fastest growing, non-substance abuse addiction in the country, it often gets overlooked.
“Oftentimes, people don’t realize you can become a compulsive gambler just being in the stock market, as well,” Davidson said.
Davidson believes compulsive gambling took over her life before she was forced into recovery.
“I lost everything; I lost my career, just about all my possessions,” she said.
Eventually, Davidson said her adviser wants to start offering a non-substance abuse course.
“This is the first step in getting that course going,” Davidson said.
