Senior Gambling Addiction

When people think of gambling addiction, many think of young to middle aged people who go and play the slot machines or the cards too much, and then have to go home to face a spouse, or a parent, and explain what they have done. But what happens when there is no one to report to?

There has been a disturbing trend among the elderly of increased gambling addiction. Many times the gamblers are old and alone, having survived the death of their spouse – if they had one, and don’t see their children – if they have them – regularly. The problem is that without someone to report to, they are able to keep gambling without any checks and balances.

Many times they are going to the casinos so that they have someone to talk to. They continue to spend money just so that they can keep being social. Once the money runs out they feel that they have to go home, so they just keep spending.

Some children find out what their parents have been doing, only after their parents get to the point where they are asking their children for money. The children investigate and find their parents have mortgaged their home, and are in debt over gambling. Some elderly can’t take the stress of it and end up having heart attacks or strokes because the stress of it is so great.

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