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| March 02, 2010 |
| PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARE WEEK - LECTURE BY GARY LANGE, Ph.D on March 11, 2010 |
| Posted By Transitional Family Resources |
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Gary Lange, Ph.D.
WHEN GAMBLING BECOMES MORE THAN A GAME: NO ONE WINS
Trips to the casino or playing video games can develop into serious financial and emotional problems not only for gambler but for his/her family. March 7-13 is National Problem Gambling Awareness (npgaw.org) week and a time to learn more about this issue at free community seminars.
More than 1.5 million youth and adults in California are considered problem and pathological gamblers according to the California Research Bureau, 2006. That would account for 20,000 individuals in the Coachella Valley. It is estimated that each problem gambler affects eight to ten other people in their lives and need our help as much as the families of any addict or mentally ill person. Spouses and family members often suspect the gambler is having an affair or is a pathological liar because of their dishonesty and deceit. Casino visits comprise the most common form of “legal” adult gambling in California. Less common but just as serious are the many other forms of “illegal” gambling which include family or college-dorm poker, sports betting, and much of the “gaming” done by our youth on hand held devices.
In our Coachella Valley, there are two groups of people particularly vulnerable to becoming problem gamblers: youth on one of the spectrum and seniors on the other end. We may have witnessed our youth “getting high” on video, X-Box, PSP and other games. Many parents attest that their kids seem to be in such a hypnotic trance while playing these games that they are unable to hear or think about anything else but the game for hours and hours.
The other group, the seniors are increasingly vulnerable to the excitement, competitiveness, independence and social acceptance that gambling provides. This is because the “Golden Years” can also involve loneliness, boredom, loss of loved ones, physical illness/pain, retirement and loss of worth, all of which can all trigger “trips” to gambling venues.
Most seniors are “escape” gamblers and gravitate toward slot machines, bingo, raffles and the lottery because they want to escape or distract themselves. By contrast, “action” gamblers prefer cards, horse racing and sports betting. For some seniors, casino “gaming” is a viewed as a safe, entertaining place where transportation is often provided and food is cheap.
Two free seminars to inform individuals and the community will be available this week. Tuesday at 5:30 pm in Indio at the Teen Center and Thursday at 4:00 pm in Palm Springs at the Golden Rainbow Senior Center. Attendees can learn to identify warning signs of a gambling problem and ways to alleviate the complications associated with gambling. Attendees will learn how this progressive problem affects youth, seniors and families. Discussion will include intervention techniques that can help bring honesty and hope to those affected by gambling. Information on local treatment options and support groups will also be available. These presentations are for those concerned about their own gambling or a loved one’s. Free confidential assessments will be available with Certified Gambling Counselors.
Gary Lange Ph.D. and Lisa Axelrod are Marriage and Family Therapists and Gambling Counselors who specialize in educating and treating problem gamblers and their families. With therapy and support a “no one wins” situation can be turned into an “everyone wins” scenario not only for the gambler but also for his or her family!
Seminar 1: Tuesday, March 9, 2010; 5:30 p.m.
Indio Teen Center is 81-678 Avenue 46, Indio, CA 92201
Includes Tips on Youth Gambling for Parents
By Lisa Axelrod, MFT, CCGC 760-772-6745
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Seminar 2: Thursday, March 11, 2010; 4:00 p.m.
At the Golden Rainbow Senior Center
700 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, #G, Palm Springs, 92262
by Gary Lange, Ph.D., MFT, NCGC 760/773-1014
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