Contracts were Awarded to Providers Licensed as Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder Providers

December 9, 2024

(TRENTON) – Human Services today announced $720,000 in state-funded contracts have been awarded to expand access to treatment and services to individuals with gambling disorders who are also experiencing mental health issues and/or substance use disorder.

The department awarded contracts of $120,000 each to the following organizations: Legacy Treatment Services in Atlantic County, Legacy Treatment Services in Burlington County, Legacy Treatment Services in Camden County, Integrity Inc. in Essex County, Monmouth Medical Center in Monmouth County and Eva’s Village, Inc. in Passaic County.

“More than 90 percent of individuals with gambling disorders have a co-occurring behavioral health need, and the impact of these challenges affects families, workplaces, and our communities,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “Through these provider partnerships we will widen the availability of mental health and substance use disorder providers in the state who also have the expertise to identify and treat gambling disorders.”

Providers will use the funds to hire at minimum one full-time gambling disorder clinician who will provide treatment and case management service to individuals with a gambling disorder.

Providers will screen, assess, educate, and treat individuals with a gambling disorder. The aforementioned gambling disorder specific services will be provided in addition to the substance use disorder and/or mental health treatment services already offered by these providers.

“This is about working more efficiently to reach people struggling with addiction. By integrating gambling disorder services, we hope to bring co-occurring gambling disorder into the mental health and substance use disorder treatment network, so more people can get the services they need to support their recovery,” said Deputy Commissioner for Health Services Valerie Mielke.

The clinician will work with individuals to assist with issues that often occur concurrently with gambling disorders, such as financial challenges, broken relationships, legal issues, and need for social services. More specifically, the clinician will:

• Provide a full gambling assessment for individuals identified as at risk for a gambling disorder.
• Include gambling specific treatment in clients’ care plan when a gambling disorder has been identified.
• Provide psycho-education on problem gambling to all participants in the treatment program.
• Provide treatment of gambling disorders through individual, group therapy, and/or family therapy for those with an identified gambling disorder or individuals whose behaviors indicate that they are at risk of a gambling disorder. 
• Link individuals with recovery support activities such as Gamblers Anonymous Meetings, relaxation techniques, stress reduction, finance, budgeting, SMART recovery, and peer recovery services.

“We continue to work to expand access to treatment because we know recovery is possible with adequate support. These providers will now be able to deliver more comprehensive care, and offer support and resources to individuals in need of gambling disorder services, so they can rebuild their lives,” said Assistant Commissioner Renee Burawski, who oversees  Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Anyone struggling with gambling disorder is encouraged to call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, a confidential 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week help line.

Anyone struggling with substance use disorder is encouraged to call 1-844-ReachNJ, a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week help line.

Anyone experiencing mental health struggles or emotional distress, should call or text 988, the 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week suicide and crisis lifeline.