Recovery Month: Hope and Healing from Gambling Harm in New York
September is Recovery Month. It’s a special time to celebrate people who are healing from addiction, such as gambling disorder. It’s also a chance to shine a light on what recovery really means and how it brings new hope and strength to individuals, families, and communities.
What Is Recovery?
Recovery is a process of change where people work to improve their health, take charge of their lives, and reach their full potential. It’s a big shift from just “surviving” to truly thriving. For many, this means overcoming addiction or mental health challenges; or sometimes both.
Recovery isn’t just about stopping harmful behavior. It’s about building a better life. A life filled with health, purpose, safety, and connection.
Gambling Harm: What to Watch For
Problem gambling, or gambling harm, can happen to anyone. Young or old, rich or poor, and in every neighborhood across New York. It often starts small but can grow quickly, leading to serious harm.
Here are some warning signs to look out for:
- Needing to gamble with more money to feel the same excitement.
- Lying to family or friends about gambling habits.
- Trying to win back lost money (“chasing losses”).
- Feeling angry, stressed, or anxious when trying to cut back or stop.
If these sound familiar for you or someone you care about, it may be time to talk to someone.
The Four Pillars of Recovery
Everyone’s recovery journey is different, but there are four important parts that help people grow and heal:
- HEALTH – Recovery helps people manage or overcome gambling and other issues. This means making healthy choices, like finding new ways to cope with stress, caring for your mind and body, and staying away from risky behavior.
- HOME – A stable, safe place to live is key. Recovery is much harder without a peaceful environment. Whether it’s your own apartment, staying with family, or in supportive housing, feeling safe and secure is a strong foundation.
- PURPOSE – Feeling like your life has meaning matters. Recovery can help people return to school, find a job, volunteer, take care of loved ones, or discover hobbies. When you have a reason to wake up every day, you’re more likely to stay on a healthy path.
- COMMUNITY – You’re not alone. Having people who care, such as friends, family, support groups, or recovery communities, can make all the difference. Connection brings hope, love, and encouragement during hard times.
Recovery for Everyone
Recovery isn’t only for the person struggling with gambling. It’s for their affected loved ones too. Family and friends often carry emotional pain, worry, and even financial harm. They need support, healing, and hope just as much.
No matter where you are in your journey, you belong. This includes people who are just starting, who have years into recovery, or those supporting someone they love. Help is available, and healing is possible.
Help Is Available
If you find yourself struggling with gambling harm, or if you suspect someone you know is facing such challenges, don’t hesitate to seek help. For 24/7 support, call the NYS OASAS HOPEline at 1-877-846-7369 or text 467369. Or choose your county using our interactive map on our NYProblemGamblingHELP.org HOME PAGE to see the contact information for the Problem Gambling Resource Center (PGRC) in your region.
A Time to Celebrate
This Recovery Month, we celebrate the strength of New Yorkers choosing to live free from gambling harm. We honor their courage and determination, and we welcome those who are ready to take their first step.
You don’t have to do it alone. Recovery is real, and it starts today, with you.