Louisiana Problem Gambler's Helpline

TOLL FREE 1-877-770-STOP

The Louisiana Problem Gamblers Help Line is a toll-free, confidential information and referral line that assists individuals in the state of Louisiana who may be affected by gambling problems. This includes providing information to people who want help to stop gambling, family members who are concerned about a loved one, or a person in recovery from gambling who is searching for a GA meeting. In addition, we talk to individuals from throughout the state who have a question on any other addiction and direct them to the proper resource.

LACG HELPLINE OPERATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who answers when I call the Helpline?  You’re speaking with a trained and certified Helpline Specialist.  He/she is well-versed in the dynamics of compulsive gambling, addictive disorders, and suicide.  The Specialist will provide you with information for services in your area.

Are the people answering the phone counselors?  The Helpline is an information and referral service.  Although specialists are empathic and knowledgeable, they do not offer advice or counseling.  They can refer you to a qualified counselor in your area.

 

Can I trust the people I talk to?  The Helpline, and all LACG services, fall under the confidentiality protections of the Federal Code, specifically 42 CFR Part 2, which concerns protection of records.  No calls are recorded.  Helpline Specialists adhere to a Code of Ethics further protecting the identity and information of a caller.

 

How many people call the Helplines?  The call volume varies, of course, but for November, 2011 Helpline Specialists answered 2,430 calls from Louisiana.  Over 500 of these were paired with helping resources in their city or Parish.  The Problem Gamblers Helpline answers for many states and responded to 6,000 calls in November 2011.  Since its founding in 2000 the Helpline has answered over 1,000,000 calls!

 

Why is the Helpline needed?  The Louisiana Problem Gamblers Helpline was established to inform residents about available helping services, including treatment services, for problem gambling.  In Louisiana there is no cost to the resident for counseling services, including outpatient and residential treatment.  Many people, including those in the medical and helping professions, are not aware of the resources available statewide to intervene with problem and compulsive gambling.  A resource directory of services and qualified practitioners is maintained by the Helpline.

 

Spread the word:

 

Problem Gamblers Helpline       877-770-7867

Substance Abuse Helpline         877-664-2248

Suicide Prevention Helpline       877-994-2275

 

There is no “wrong number.”  All information and referral services are available to every caller, anywhere, anytime.

 

 

A Brief History of the Helpline

 

The Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling began taking calls to the Louisiana Problem Gambler’s Helpline January 1, 2000.  Very quickly the Helpline was handling 5,000 calls a month.  The ability of the Helpline to provide information and referrals to the many callers was noted by other states and in 2003 LACG began answering Problem Gamblers Helplines in other states.  In 2012 Helpline Operations answers for 20 states in addition to its primary service to Louisiana residents.

 

Following the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals asked the Helpline Operations to answer state wide calls for substance abuse information and referral.  LACG continues to operate a statewide Substance Abuse Helpline.

 

It had long been suspected that compulsive gamblers were at a much higher risk for suicide than the general population.  The desperate calls to the Problem Gamblers Helplines supported that suspicion.  In 2006 the Department of Health and Hospitals contracted LACG to establish a Suicide Prevention Helpline for Northwest Louisiana.  Enhanced training of staff and on-call mental health professionals were a part of this new service.  Although the contract ended with state-wide budget cuts in 2010 the regional Suicide Prevention Helpline was absorbed by Helpline Operations.  Nearly 2,000 calls have been answered on the Suicide Prevention Helpline since 2007.

 

The Helplines are answered by trained and experienced full-time and part-time specialists 24/7.  As is noted We’re hear all day, every day.”