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NYS OASAS announces expansion of services for New Yorkers struggling with problem gambling

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Fri, Jan 6th 2017 05:25 pm

New York state-operated addiction treatment centers to provide inpatient addiction treatment services for problem gambling

The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services has announced inpatient, residential care for New Yorkers suffering from gambling addiction is now available at six NYS OASAS addiction treatment centers (ATCs). The centers have been granted waivers allowing them to admit and treat individuals with problem gambling as their primary diagnosis.

"New York state leads the nation in offering quality addiction treatment, prevention and recovery services," said NYS OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez. "Problem gambling treatment is now included as one of the services we offer at six of our state-operated ATCs. This expansion will help more New Yorkers across the state get the treatment and support they need to get their lives back on track and join the millions of Americans living in recovery from addiction. I encourage anyone struggling with problem gambling to connect with our addiction treatment centers."

The ATCs now have qualified problem gambling clinicians on staff to provide these inpatient services. Patients can be admitted for up to 30 days of treatment, and these facilities accept all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Problem gambling education also will be provided to patients at these six ATCs.

Several ATCs also have established connections with local Gambler's Anonymous chapters, who will provide GA meetings on site at the ATCs.

TheATCs that will provide inpatient problem gambling treatment include:

•Creedmoor Addiction Treatment Center, Queens Village

•Kingsboro Addiction Treatment Center, Brooklyn

•Richard C. Ward Addiction Treatment Center, Middletown

•John L. Norris Addiction Treatment Center, Rochester

•St. Lawrence Addiction Treatment Center, Ogdensburg

•Margaret A. Stutzman Addiction Treatment Center, Buffalo

To learn more about the warning signs of gambling addiction, visit the New York Council on Problem Gambling's warning signs webpage.

"As part of New York's smart gaming policy, we are committed to making sure that individuals who need help with gambling addiction have access to services in their own communities," said New York State Gaming Commission Executive Director Robert Williams. "These addiction treatment centers have the tools and resources necessary to provide quality care to those who need it. I applaud Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez and the staff at NY OASAS for their work in helping to foster a safe and responsible gaming environment in the state."

New York Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Jim Maney said, "This expansion of state-funded inpatient treatment is unprecedented. We commend Gov. Cuomo and OASAS commissioner González-Sánchez for their commitment to expanding problem gambling services and to increasing access to more levels of care for problem gamblers and their families in New York state."

For more information, including referral or admission to one of these ATC facilities, or outpatient treatment for problem gambling in your community, contact the New York State HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369). For general information about problem gambling, visit the New York Council on Problem Gambling website.

New Yorkers can also research available treatment beds or outpatient slots by using the OASAS treatment availability dashboard at FindAddictionTreatment.ny.gov anytime.

For additional help with accessing substance use disorder care and obtaining insurance coverage, view short informational videos on the access treatment page on the NYS OASAS website: www.oasas.ny.gov.

Visit the #CombatAddiction web pages at oasas.ny.gov/CombatAddiction to learn more about how you can help to #CombatAddiction in your community. Visit www.combatheroin.ny.gov for information on addressing heroin and prescription opioid abuse, including a "Kitchen Table Tool Kit" to help start the conversation about the warning signs of addiction and where to get help. For additional tools to use in talking to young people about preventing underage drinking or drug use, visit the state's Talk2Prevent website.

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