Nonprofit in Oklahoma City offers a gambling addiction workshop

“It's hitting people cold — people who've never been in trouble or never experienced any kind of devastating behavior,” said Pearce, who is executive director of A Chance to Change, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those who suffer from a variety of addictions.

To help families affected by gambling addiction, Pearce's group is hosting a free workshop this week.

The seminar, “Gambling: When Is It a Problem?” will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Church of the Servant, 14343 N MacArthur. The seminar is open to gamblers and their loved ones, and topics include how to identify an addiction and how to find help. For more information or to register, call 840-9000 or go to www.achancetochange.org.

A gambler's spouse usually doesn't know about the addiction until the family loses its home or retirement savings, she said.

“You can imagine what that does to a family and a marriage,” she said.

As a result, divorce and suicide rates are higher for gambling addicts. “It's just a devastating illness,” she said, “and I don't think people are very aware of it.”