Massachusetts Launches Free Gambling Addiction Support App

Folks out in Massachusetts who are addicted to gambling now have a free tool to keep them on track. State officials launched E-Vive, a mobile app that battles problematic gambling. Indeed, gambling disorder frequently co-occurs with depression and substance use. 

Victor Ortiz is director of the state’s Office of Problem Gambling. He observed how more people turn to online resources for gambling addiction support. 

The E-Vive App

The app complements the state’s free, 24/7 multilingual helpline at 800-327-5050. E-Vive provides daily check-ins, podcasts and peer support groups. It’s available on iOS and Android.

E-Vive aids people before they’re ready to call a helpline or prep for formal treatment. A daily check-in can serve as an early warning system before a slip becomes a crisis.

The launch comes at a busy moment for gambling. Fall is one of the busiest times of year for sports betting, and the app coincides with a class action lawsuit filed against Boston-based DraftKings. That suit alleges the company used AI to target folks vulnerable to gambling addiction, which escalates the state’s push for resources.

Mental Health & the Gambling Connection

Gambling disorder often overlaps with mental health conditions. Folks living with depression or anxiety may gamble for the temporary relief it provides. The cycle becomes vicious. Financial stress from losses feeds anxiety and shame discourages people from seeking help.

This overlap is where co-occurring disorders come in. When a person has both a behavioral addiction and a mental health condition, treating one while ignoring the other usually fails. 

Approaches for Gambling Addiction

Integrated dual diagnosis treatment addresses both so nothing is left behind. Care for gambling addiction typically uses the same tools already featured in behavioral health. Behavioral therapy identifies thought patterns that trigger gambling urges. Motivational interviewing supports people ambivalent about change.

Some might need medication since alcohol and gambling frequently go together. Peer support groups offer ongoing care after formal treatment ends.

Treatment in The Bay State & Beyond

Anyone who gambles a bit too much, lies about losses or borrows money to keep playing, take note. 

Our searchable directory can help you compare mental health treatment facilities and behavioral treatment centers in the USA that understand gambling addiction and co-occurring disorders.

Call [phone to ask about comprehensive mental health and gambling addiction treatment options anywhere in the country.

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Courtney Myers, MS

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Courtney Myers has more than 15 years of experience in online writing and editing. Since graduating from N.C. State University with an MS in Technical Communication, she’s helped clients improve their visibility and reach through expert-level content creation. She specializes in addiction recovery and behavioral healthcare topics.

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Peter Lee, PhD

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Peter W.Y. Lee is a writer and historian of American history during the Cold War. His primary focus is the relationship between youth and popular culture and its impact on U.S. society during the twentieth century. He has published widely on how the public has used popular culture as a mechanism to address political and social shifts throughout time