The Linn County Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program is now offering gambling treatment services in Lebanon. A problem gambling counselor will be available at the Linn County Health Services office at 1600 S. Main St. in Lebanon on Mondays. Hours may be expanded in the future. For an appointment, call 967-3819.

The Lebanon program was added to make services available to East Linn County gamblers and their families who might have transportation barriers or time limitations that make it difficult to get to existing locations in Albany and Corvallis, said Marcy Nichols, gambling treatment specialist.

Treatment groups are available in Albany, as are community support meetings offered independently by Gamblers Anonymous, Nichols said.

According to the state problem Gambling Helpline website, www.oregonlotteryhelp.org/warning.html, signs of problem gambling include inability to stop, bragging about gambling, borrowing money to gamble, lying about time spent gambling and unpaid debts, and losing work time because of gambling.

The negative consequences of problem gambling include loss of income, relationships, family, home and employment, all of which may be sacrificed in order to feed the addiction, Nichols said. Compulsive gambling also may result in criminal behavior and loss of life from suicide.

Nichols has state and national certification in gambling addiction counseling and state certification in alcohol and drug counseling. She is one of two problem gambling counselors in the program. Together, they have 20 years of experience in addiction counseling.

The Gambling Treatment program is funded by the Oregon Department of Human Services with lottery proceeds.

The Linn County Health Services office in Lebanon also provides public health, mental health, alcohol and drug treatment and developmental disabilities services.