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High Stakes
Teens Gambling With Their Futures
By Laura Paul
O'Hare says adults with a gambling problem need to understand that their problem does have an impact on their children and family. "It's not uncommon for them to say my dad was an alcoholic or a problem gambler," she says. "It's only logical then that we have to be concerned about the generation of adults right now with gambling problems. What then is the next generation impact for those kids?"
Oftentimes children of gamblers will not develop good coping skills or miss the emotional security that is so important during childhood. "As they get older they are subject to those same kinds of problems as the parents were," O'Hare says.
Parents can help, not just in leading by example. Although most teenagers do not want to get help for their problem, parents can set up short-term counseling and introduce them to Gamblers Anonymous, a long-term support group for people of all ages and all walks of life.
To get a teen help with a gambling problem contact the national help line through the National Coalition on Problem Gambling at 1-800-522-4700 or visit The Nevada Council on Problem Gambling or The Counsel on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey.
