For more than 20 years, Cascadia Health has helped people reclaim their lives from problem gambling—restoring hope, rebuilding families, and supporting lasting recovery.

This is Zach’s story.

A fresh start and hidden spiral

In the early 2000s, Zach moved from the East Coast to Portland, drawn by its promise as a city surrounded by nature and full of possibility.

He built a life here – working in hospitality, making friends, and finding community. But alongside that life, something else quietly took hold: gambling.

What started as a habit (video poker, nights out), slowly became routine, then dependence, and finally to something he could no longer control.

A struggle leads to crisis

For nearly two decades, Zach hid his addiction. “I just went through this process for so many years of catering to the addiction but trying to hide it and live this normal life where I was affording my bills and rent,” he said.

As gambling shifted to sports betting on his phone, it became harder to hide and harder to stop. Eventually everything was on the line.

“This kind of long, deep progression of this addiction finally hit rock bottom for me and that’s what it was going to take. I was going to lose my family.”

That’s when he told his wife the truth and made a decision that changed everything.

He asked for help.

A ‘sense of relief’ in recovery

In 2024, Zach connected with Cascadia Health’s Gambling Treatment program. For the first time, he wasn’t alone.

Through group therapy, he found something powerful: honesty without judgement.

“There’s nothing like being able to bare your heart with others that are going through similar trauma. It was a massive sense of relief that I was finally getting a chance to be on the other side of this.”

With one-on-one counseling and financial planning support alongside his wife, Zach began to rebuild, not just his finances, but his life. He expressed gratitude for his counselor, Eric Hedman, for his support and care during this crucial time in recovery.

Finding joy again

Recovery didn’t just change Zach’s circumstances, it changed how he experiences the world. Things that once felt dulled came back: walks outside, live music, time with friends, playing with his kids.

Sustained recovery is hard work, but sometimes it simply looks like enjoying some scrambled eggs with your kids.

You’re not alone

Four to six million people experience problem gambling, more common than many people are aware. Likewise, gambling advertisements and marketing campaigns are highly prevalent in Oregon. The industry has only grown recently, particularly in mobile betting.

But help is here. Whether in-person or virtual, recovery starts with reaching out.

Cascadia Health is here to help. Below are additional ways to reach out.

Make the Call:

• Cascadia Health: 503-674-7777
• Problem Gambling Hotline: 877-MY-LIMIT (877-695-4648) or text 503-713-6000
• National Gambling Helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or text 800GAM