Gambling addictions 'can start young'

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by Change | 30 Jun 2009

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Parents have been warned to look out for the signs of gambling addiction behaviour in their children, as experts have pointed out that problems with addiction can start at a young age.

The behaviour patterns associated with gambling addiction can start at an early age and parents have been advised to be on the lookout for addiction problems in their adolescent children.

An expert from Canada has warned that being vigilant over the potential for addiction problems to begin in teenagers is important because the quicker the signs are spotted, the more effective addiction treatment can be administered, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Speaking at the annual National Conference on Problem Gaming in Indianapolis, researcher Jeffrey Derevensky explained that most parents do not think gambling among their children is anything to be overly concerned about.

However, he warned that exposing youngsters to gambling at a time when they do not have families, homes or jobs to lose as the result of an addiction could be setting them up for a major fall later in life.

As a result, parents are being called on to help fight gambling addictions and get their children to rehab clinics in the event that a problem is identified.

Earlier this month, researchers from Cambridge University in England and the University of British Columbia in Canada revealed their efforts to tackle gambling addictions by studying the responses of mice.

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