By Julie Hughes, Contributing Writer
Murphy – March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and Murphy High School is building awareness by changing student beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards gambling by teaching Stacked Deck, an evidence-based problem gambling curriculum funded by the N.C. Problem Gambling Program to 58 freshmen through seniors.
This year, two bonus lessons have been added to bring awareness to gaming disorder and introduce calming tools to reduce toxic stress and build healthy coping skills.
Research indicates 60-80 percent of youth ages 12-17 gamble across the globe. In 2019, 32 percent of those North Carolina students participating in the Stacked Deck curriculum gambled for money weekly as noted in a presurvey before taking the curriculum. Following the curriculum 19 percent gambled for money weekly. Adolescents are engaging in the same forms of gambling as adults.
In addition, research indicates there is a convergence of gaming and gambling which presents a unique danger for youth. Loot box purchases in video games and the amount of money spent on them, has been linked to problem gambling severity.
Further research indicates that 9-14 percent of adolescents are at-risk of developing a problem with gambling and 4-7 percent are already experiencing a problem.
Gambling Disorder is a diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition. Gambling Disorder, like substance use disorder, is rooted in the brain and is an addiction.
Problem Gambling Awareness Month is an important time to discuss gambling with youth and young adults and promote screening. Adolescents who experience problems with gambling are more likely to use tobacco, drink alcohol, and use other substances.
Youth in treatment for substance use disorder may also be living with a gambling problem. Labeled the “hidden addiction” problem, gambling can be exposed through screening tools available for clinicians but early detection, like with many other illnesses can provide a route to a healthier life.
The North Carolina Problem Gambling Program provides and supports effective problem gambling prevention, education, treatment and recovery programs throughout the state for adolescents and adults.
For more information about the no cost in-person or virtual treatment for up to 12 sessions for adolescents and adults, visit www.morethanagamenc.com or call the helpline at 877-718-5543. Virtual and in-person treatment is available.
Clinicians can learn more about gambling and gaming disorder by attending the Sure Bet workshop series, a webinar, or the self-paced learning modules on youth problem gambling and gaming on the UNC Behavioral Health Springboard online platform.
If you have any questions regarding the youth prevention or treatment services, reach out to Alison Drain at 919-800-8482 or alison.drain@dhhs.nc.gov.
Julie Hughes is Marketing I instructor at Murphy High School.