A recent survey of local residents in DeWitt and Macon Counties indicates gambling addiction is likely more common than many realize.

With the availability of sports wagering and video gaming at locations all over the place in our communities, Jessica Smiley with Heritage Behavioral Health Services indicates addiction related to wagering seems to be more prevalent than we realize.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Smiley indicates no matter what level of wagering you participate in, the addiction component can impact several aspects of our lives.

According to Smiley, gambling can have an impact on relationships at home and even in the workplace. She explains the financial secrets that are often kept can impact the home and then it can also become a distraction at work.

The stigmas around seeking help for gambling addiction have a lot in common with the stigmas in getting help for emotional or mental issues. Smiley says it is hard to acknowledge the problem of gambling addiction and then the added pressure of worrying about what friends or family would say or think about that problem.

Heritage offers gambling addiction services. Smiley points alone who might need help to heritagenet.org. They have also been sharing lots of information about gambling addiction on their Facebook page.

Additionally, you can call a hotline, 800-GAMBLER for more gambling addiction services.