Finding help for a gambling addiction just became a little bit easier

FanDuel, DraftKings and other online sports betting apps have made gambling easier than ever. (via AP Photo, Jeff Chiu)

The Vermont Department of Mental Health has launched a website for people who may a problem with gambling.

The site will provide various resources, such as tips to help recognize a gambling addiction, a voluntary self-exclusion program, referrals for treatment options, and a 24/7 phone helpline and live chat.

Rehabilitated individuals can even become a certified therapist themselves through the site’s free training program.

Over 11,600 Vermonters are estimated to be struggling with a gambling problem. Gambling can have detrimental effects on an individual’s mental health and finances, and it can tear apart family dynamics. What may begin as an exhilarating hobby can quickly derail into full-blown addiction.

The new treatment site allows affected individuals to seek help for free in the comfort of their own home. Asking for help can feel daunting, so going through a website rather than an in-person program may help ease some anxiety.

The treatment site can be found here.