Gambling Addiction Among the Elderly

There has been a disturbing trend lately among the elderly in the Valley – more and more of them are becoming addicted to some form of gambling. It could be slot machines, it could be cards, but it does not matter – they can’t afford the hobby.

Some admit that they go for social reasons, to see their friends, they spend a little money, then a little more, and next thing they know they are going to gamble instead of seeing their friends. Sometimes it is because they are lonely, and have no one else at home. Sometimes couples gamble together until they lose everything.

One group is trying to put an end to it. The Desert Samaritans for the Elderly is trying to help those that have developed a gambling addiction. The group says that the average senior with a gambling problem has somewhere around $21,000 worth of gambling debt.

The group is putting together a program that will train therapists on how to help seniors, and will give seniors free treatment to combat their gambling addiction. It will be good for them to seek treatment and to see that they are not alone, for many elderly are embarrassed by the addiction. They feel that of anyone, they should have known better because of their age.

If you know of an elderly person with a gambling problem, or would like to offer assistance of any kind, please contact the group at 730-837-9066 or at their web site at www.dsfte.org.

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