Lanie's Hope

On-line sports betting has been available now for five years. What's the impact? Between 2018 and 2021, the risk of problem gambling grew by 30 percent, according to the National Council on Problem Gaming. Read more at the National Geographic link below
https://archive.ph/t2yVw

What a great way to kick off Problem Gambling Awareness Month! Our friend Ted Hartwell, ED of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling speaks on Gambling Disorder, Recovery and the impact on our community on the "Gift of Giving"

The Gift of Giving 02 28 24 Nevada Council on Problem Gambling

$110 MILLION IN AVAILABLE GAMING TAX - and NOT ONE PENNY OF IT goes to support gambling harms. Together we can change this!

The GRIT Act (Gambling AddictionRecovery, Investment and Treatment) is an IMPORTANT inititiative to support treatment for people with Gambling Disorder. There are currently ZERO national funds to support gambling harms! The GRIT Act will not add one single dollar in taxes - it will take funds from the already existing excise tax on sports wagering and allocate 1/2 of these funds to support inititiatives for state and national education, prevention and treatment of people with Gambling Disorder. These funds currently go into the general fund (in the amount of $110 MILLION DOLLARS in 2021!). Not ONE PENNY of that $110 million (and counting) goes towards gamblling harm reduction!

The GRIT Act is getting a lot of negative feedback from the gaming indusry and from congress men and women - including the American Gaming Association and Nevada's Dina Titus. Again - this DOES NOT ADD ONE DOLLAR TO THE TAX BURDEN. Why would they oppose this bill?

Let's support the National Council on Problem Gambling in this mighty and long overdue initiative. Reach out to your legislature and tell them you SUPPORT the GRIT act and why. And if you have lived-experience, personal stories of gambling impact go a long way. Let Congress hear from you!

GRIT Act - National Council on Problem Gambling If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, help is available. The National Council on Problem Gambling provides a range of resources, including answers to commonly asked questions, a gambling behavior self-assessment, information about treatment and the National Problem Gambli...

Can what is broken be made whole again? Absolutely.

Can a broken story have a good ending? Yes it can.

Can there be hope in a difficult time? There is always hope.

Choose hope and healing today.

No matter the darkness, the sun rises.

No matter the hardship, joy triumphs.

No matter the mountain, still you can climb.

No matter how difficult, you can make it.

You will make it!

Despite the best moments of the year, there are also an equal amount of challenges, discouragement, and weakness on display.

But these moments mask something wonderful! Within discouragement lies motivation; behind the door of adversity is the land of opportunity.

There have been negative times in this past year. But this can pave the way for an amazing 2024!

Never forget this hope brothers and sisters. Be encouraged.

How has the year been?

What are your joys and triumphs? Wonderful stories of victory are made even sweeter by sharing them with your recovery brothers and sisters!

Tell us your joys and best moments of 2023!

The holidays are a time for gifts that inspire creativity and joy, not risky behaviors. This season, give kids toys, not lottery tickets. Toys > Tickets. Let's make responsible gaming a tradition.

Did you know the average debt of someone recovering from gambling addiction can be upwards of $90k?

There is truly a multi-level battle of difficulty going on within the minds and hearts of those in recovery. We must give our unending support, encouragement, and love to them.

And to everyone! We truly don't know what is going on under the surface of a person - what is on their mind, heart, emotional being, and life.

Support those in recovery today. Support each other.

What are you thankful for?

As the holiday recedes into the background of Christmas, we are tempted to forget its message.

Being thankful is a lifestyle, and one not dependent on our circumstances.

This is a good thing, because Life is difficult. If it were up to our circumstances, we would rarely feel thankful, if at all.

But there is something so powerful and healing in a person who is thankful in the midst of less favorable times. If that is you, rest assured you are seen and you are heard. Don't lose sight of the imapact you can have, and the power that is able to be shown through your story.

We must be a thankful people today.

On November 7, the NCPG is hosting an online webinar entitled - The Hidden Battle: Addressing Problem Gambling Among Veterans.

To register and/or to see more information regarding the webinar, see the link below.

The Hidden Battle: Addressing Problem Gambling Among Veterans (2023-11-07) An exploration of the often-overlooked challenge of problem gambling among veterans, this webinar will investigate the prevalence, causes and consequences of problem gambling within the US military veteran community and provide insights into effective prevention and support strategies. Participants

https://www.gatewayfoundation.org/addiction-blog/how-to-help-someone-that-has-gambling-problem/

How to Help Someone You Know That Has a Gambling Problem If a family member or close friend has a gambling problem, you can help. Read this post and learn how to help your loved one overcome gambling addiction.

As we approach the weekend, with a beautiful fall afternoon here in Southwest Virginia, I want to take a moment to celebrate healing.

Life is challenging enough. Take a moment to celebrate!

Celebrate the big things, and celebrate the little things. Celebrate the monumental happenings, and celebrate the little moments. Both are symbols and signs of freedom and recovery.

Healing does not mean much without celebration. And celebration does not mean much without the journey.

Celebrate today. It is a gift.

Gambling is a MASSIVE industry. As in, over a billion dollar industry. So it would make snese to say that the root problem of gambling addiction is the incredible ease and access with which these forms of gambling are available.

This, however, is not true. The main root of gambling addiction lies within you and I. We are a broken people living in a similarly broken world. While abundance of gambling access has certainly aided this brokenness, make no mistake - the immediate root of the problem lies within humanity.

If you don't see the problem, you will never find the solution.

So many people are driven by something other than healing.

They think that they are pursuing healing. But what they are receiving is something far short of true healing and recovery.

Many people are tricked into accepting an emotional response as the fullness of recovery and the realization of healing. This is incorrect and so very empty.

Imagine if you and I are friends (which we are, of course 😊) and I wrong you. I apologize to you in word, but my life does not reflect this. Other than the verbal apology, nothing has changed. You point this out to me, and my response is,

"Oh! I didn't realize anything needed to be different. I thought that by apologizing, I had become the best friend I thought I could be."

That would be a foolish friend. My follow up question is, why do we expect better results when we approach our healing journey in this same way?

Why do we merely speak of a desire to be healed and then act like we are fully recovered? Why do we have a good, necessary emotional moment, and then behave as if we are healed?

Why do we expect a process-long result out of a microwave, instant-only mindset?

Friend, true healing is a process. Days up, days down. Mountains and valleys. Gold and fools gold.

But you my friend are a treasure. You have been seen as valuable, and the healing is part of the journey in life. You are not alone.

Embrace the healing journey today. Let us be healed.

Fallacies about Gambling -

1) Gambling is just innocent fun! It's not an addiction or a problem.

INCORRECT - Gambling, although most fail to acknowledge this, is indeed a big problem and a growing one at that! It is often due to this lack of understanding of the dangers of gambling addiction, that contributes to the growing problem of gambling.

2) I don't need help to overcome gambling addiction; I just need to exert a little willpower.

FALSE - Although noble, this mindset is just not healthy. It is precisely the opposite of solo willpower that promotes true healing and brings about joy & restoration. We all need a helping hand 🙏

3) Being vulnerable about my struggle is difficult because it is a dead end; there is no point in telling others!

WRONG - Absolutely not! This is a common mental misconception, and when we listen to it, we each step further downwards into spiral. Often when vulnerability occurs, we find accountability and healing are not far away.

Praying and wishing blessings upon each of you today and everyday.

False: Gambling is only a financial issue.

True: Gambling is an emotional issue, often firmly based and rooted in the feelings and mental state of the one who is being presented into a gambling situation.

Only when we understand the problem, are we more fully able to see the solution and make it reality.

Problem Gambling Hotline!

NCPG operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline, a single national access point to a network of local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. In June 2022, NCPG partnered with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. to begin using their 1-800-GAMBLER number as the National Problem Gambling Helpline number. This easy-to-remember number helps reduce barriers to resources for those affected by problem gambling. The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network consists of 29 contact centers that provide information, resources and referrals for all 50 states and US territories.

http://lanieshope.org/carol-prodev-scholarship-opportunities

This link is an exciting opportunity from the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling! We hope that this blesses someone in our near circle, and we are so thankful for organizations like this who are seeking to further awareness and bring joy to people who are pressing on towards recovery.

CAROL ProDev Scholarship Opportunities - Lanie's Hope And Together are excited to announce the CAROL professional development scholarship opportunities for Nevada treatment providers, prevention specialists, peer/recovery coaches and students! The CAROL scholarships were developed in a partnership between the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and the....

Almost 2/3 of the year has gone by already!

How has your year been? Have you seen your healing journey take you to new places? Do you feel and see growth between the new year and now?

For some of us, that journey has brought about new high points. For others, low points that tempt discouragement and despair. But all of us are to take encouragement!

Why? Because Hope is here.

No matter what happens in life, there is always hope. This means that you can be carried through your journey of healing and recovery. A new day dawns and with that, comes the promise of hope and healing.

What does this remaining 1/3 of the year hold for you? We hope and pray with you 🙏

As July ends and August approaches, we want to continue to support you in your healing journey. How can we best encourage you? Let us know in the comments below.

We also want to hear your story. Personally Message us if you're interested in an exciting opportunity to share your story of healing and recovery.

Blessings to you all!!

Pain is real.

Pain is painful.

But pain is never the final result.

Never forget that.

The pain you feel, is but a chapter in your story.

It is not the final chapter, it is not the close of the book. And it is certainly not the Author.

Pain can be a bookmark. A way to recollect, to actively remember, and to grow. Pain can be used! Used in the healing process. In fact, pain is an essential part of your journey.

How will you use those moments of pain? How will you turn your pain into victory?

Press on today.

Happy Independence Day!

As we pursue healing together, let us give thanks for the independence we share in the great country. America the Beautiful, may she be a place of healing, recovery, and restoration.

God Bless America!

Did you know that Rainy days make the sun shine all the brighter?

Put your smile on 😊 the clouds will break and the sun will shine!

Healing is coming 🙏

Climbing a mountain is hard.

Why? Because it is uphill. Because the terrain is rough. Because there are rocks, brush, and thorns. Because the mountain is high.

But have you ever thought, that it is because of the very fact that it is difficult, that means it is a good thing?

In all sorts of training and healing, difficulty and Perseverance join together to become the greatest ally. Because of this, climbing the mountain is worth it. Why? Because when you reach the top, and look around, there is peace.

What are the mountains in your life? And today, I ask you - are you climbing?

Positivity has power!

Never underestimate what a positive outlook can do! Whether you, friends, family or a complete stranger, everyone needs a positive perspective.

Life is difficult in itself; a good dose of optimism and self-encouragement is more than needed.

Keep up the good work! You can do it.

Your healing story matters!

It doesn’t matter if you are not at a place of healing presently. If you are seeking and persisting towards healing, then your healing story matters!

Don’t believe the lie that you need to keep quiet about your healing story. You can inspire and encourage others towards their own story of healing and perseverance. Speak out, and rejoice!

Have you ever felt despair? I have.

I’m not talking about frustration. Not about a momentary, disappointed attitude, a fleeting wishing that a circumstance was different.

I’m talking about real, raw despair. The feeling like there is no return to safety, no end to the pain, and no light in sight.

Despair is a real thing, impacting many people. So if we are focused on hope, the opposite of despair - why are we dwelling on despair right now?

Think about it.

If you want to win the battle, you study your enemy. If you want to win the game, learn everything about your opponent while preparing yourself. If you want healing, learn about the effects of sickness so you can combat them.

If you want to live in Hope, learn the effects of despair.

And in the help of Providence - overcome them, one by one.

Have you ever felt despair? I have.

And it is forever defeated in Hope and Faith.

Stay strong my friends. Daylight is coming.