The State of Illinois wants to help people who might be struggling with a gambling addiction. In addition to a telephone help line, the Illinois Department of Human Services is now providing a website.
Dani Kirby, Director of the Department's Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, says the phone line receives thousands of calls, but they wanted to do more.
"We've seen a decrease in calls over the past couple of years. Stigma and shame often prevent individuals with gambling disorder from asking for help and the website offers another avenue for individuals to get help."
Kirby says this month is National Problem Gambling Month, so the Human Services Department has created a social media campaign to encourage those with gambling problems to call the hotline, text the number, or chat on their website.
"So, the URL or the link for the website is WeKnowtheFeeling.org and the idea being that there are others out there who have gone through this and who have come through it on the other side and have been successful in their recovery. So, there are stories on there about what other people have experienced as well as information on how to access help."
The website is We Know the Feeling dot org and the hotline, staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is 1-800-GAMBLER.