Gambling Addiction-Exploring Prevalence Among First Responders

Estimated watch time: 1 hr 36 minutes

Presentation Materials:

Molly Jones, LSW

Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems

Molly Jones, LSW is a Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems. In this role, Molly is responsible for providing clinical education and training to various client populations, treatment providers, and other behavioral health stakeholders across the country. Molly provides in-person, virtual, and on-demand behavioral health education and is able to cover a wide variety of topics under the behavioral healthcare umbrella.

Molly is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Colorado and based out of Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining the ARS Community Outreach Team in August 2019, Molly worked in a variety of social work settings. She has worked in direct practice, counseling older adults, adolescents, high acuity clients, and other populations struggling with various mental health and substance abuse related issues, as well as a Permanency Planning Worker for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Molly has worked in the field of Social Work since 2013, and holds the philosophy that all individuals, with proper support and awareness, possess the ability to learn, change, and grow to achieve the highest quality of life and sense of self possible.

Molly earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Family Life Education with a focus on Gerontology from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. In her time with Advanced Recovery Systems, Molly has primarily worked with first responders and their families, as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters and various municipalities across North America. Molly is the Peer Team Clinician for the IAFF’s 9th District Peer Support Team, has been featured in news publications and mental health podcasts, and provided clinical oversight to local non-profits in Colorado.

Kristen Beall, LCSW-C, ICGC-I, CAC-AD

Clinical Manager for the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, University of Maryland School of Medicine

In her role as Clinical Manager, with over 18 years of experience in behavioral health counseling, Kristen provides consultation and technical assistance to organizations and private practitioners integrating Problem Gambling into their practice. In addition, Kristen works closely with the Center’s Certified Peer Recovery Specialists and helpline staff connecting help seekers to the resources they need as well as being integral part of the Center’s outreach efforts.

Will Hinman, CPRS, RPS

Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling

As a Peer, Will assists Marylanders struggling with a gambling problem and/or addiction navigate recovery treatment resources and assists individuals with removing any barriers to recovery. Will uses his background of over 25 years in customer service and management to aid his passion for working with people. He tries to help others on the path to a new way of life by sharing his own personal lived experiences, strengths, and hopes of life in recovery one day at a time.

Jim Nowlin, CPRS

Peer Recovery Support Specialist with the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling

As a Peer for the center, Jim assists individuals within Maryland struggling with problem gambling and gambling addiction to navigate recovery treatment resources and helps remove any barriers to recovery. Jim was raised as a military dependent and spent a good portion of his youth growing up in England and Germany where, with the help of his parents, he learned to treat people with the same courtesy and respect which he expected in return.

Objectives and Summary:

First responders work in high stress environments, which may contribute to the increased risk for mental health or substance use problems among this population. Gambling is an addictive behavior and has important parallels with alcohol, substances, and other mental health disorders such as PTSD and depressive disorders. Problematic gambling includes a range of clinically significant impairment to subclinical problems described as low or moderate risk, which are less severe, but nonetheless reflect a maladaptive way of coping with stress. This webinar will address the special needs and risk factors among first responders around problem gambling.

Objectives: 

  • Identify problem gambling risk factors with special attention to first responders and the populations they serve
  • Identify signs and symptoms of a gambling problem and where to seek help
  • Understand gambling disorder from those with lived experience

Presentation Materials:

Molly Jones, LSW

Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems

Molly Jones, LSW is a Clinical Education Coordinator for Advanced Recovery Systems. In this role, Molly is responsible for providing clinical education and training to various client populations, treatment providers, and other behavioral health stakeholders across the country. Molly provides in-person, virtual, and on-demand behavioral health education and is able to cover a wide variety of topics under the behavioral healthcare umbrella.

Molly is a Licensed Social Worker in the State of Colorado and based out of Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining the ARS Community Outreach Team in August 2019, Molly worked in a variety of social work settings. She has worked in direct practice, counseling older adults, adolescents, high acuity clients, and other populations struggling with various mental health and substance abuse related issues, as well as a Permanency Planning Worker for the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Division in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Molly has worked in the field of Social Work since 2013, and holds the philosophy that all individuals, with proper support and awareness, possess the ability to learn, change, and grow to achieve the highest quality of life and sense of self possible.

Molly earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Family Life Education with a focus on Gerontology from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Masters of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. In her time with Advanced Recovery Systems, Molly has primarily worked with first responders and their families, as well as the International Association of Fire Fighters and various municipalities across North America. Molly is the Peer Team Clinician for the IAFF’s 9th District Peer Support Team, has been featured in news publications and mental health podcasts, and provided clinical oversight to local non-profits in Colorado.

Marc Rattigan

IAFF COE Executive Director

As the executive director of the IAFF Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Treatment and Recovery, Marc Rattigan promotes positive team interactions to support exceptional patient care for IAFF Members. Marc comes from a long line of firefighters, including his father, uncle, and grandfather. A combat veteran with 21 years of service in the United States Army, Marc values teamwork and dedication to help people who are struggling with behavioral health and addiction.

 

Mike Jefferson

Local 76 Union President- Somerville and Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts