Pathologic gambling affects more than 10 million Americans. People with this condition cannot control their impulses to gamble. They almost always end up losing a lot of money and get into financial trouble, causing problems at work and in relationships. Depression and thoughts of suicide, drinking and using illegal drugs often go along with pathologic gambling.

Out of the 3.8 million adults living in Arizona, 14,600 to 38,000 can be classified as pathological gamblers. Another 42,600 to 78,000 Arizona adults are regular gamblers who are on the path to become pathological gamblers.

To raise awareness and provide education, The Arizona Office of Problem Gambling Treatment and Flagstaff Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services department are sponsoring a two-day workshop to provide an in-depth understanding of problem gambling and the effects on the family.

Presenter Bobbe McGinley, M.A., M.B.A., is a leading expert on problem gambling and the family. McGinley is the CEO and owner of ACT-Counseling & Education in Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa. She has provided gambling treatment training throughout the U.S. for the last 14 years.

The workshop will be held from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15 in FMC’s McGee Auditorium, 1200 N. Beaver Street. The cost is $50 and all participants will receive a certificate of completion and six continuing education credits. Refreshments will be provided; participants will be given a one-hour break for lunch. For more information on problem gambling or to register for the workshop, call 602 568-4328 or visit problemgambling.az.gov.

For more information on problem gambling counseling offered at FMC, contact Christine Chisholm at 928 214-6410 or by e-mail at Christine.Chisholm@nahealth.com.