National Conference Tackles Problem Gambling – The Hidden Addiction

National Conference Tackles Problem Gambling – The Hidden Addiction
Tuesday, July 3rd 2012

Impressive line-up in place for conference in Milwaukee

Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 03, 2012

From teens to veterans to seniors to Internet gambling and much, much more, the focus will be on problem and compulsive gambling at the 26th National Conference on Problem Gambling. More than 400 people are expected to attend the conference July 13-14, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency, Milwaukee.
    
“Most people probably don’t think about the fact that the young adults of today are the first generation to grow up with widespread legalized gambling in the United States,” said Rose Gruber, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling which is co-hosting the conference with the National Council on Problem Gambling. “They’re growing up with lotteries, Internet gambling, casinos and poker on TV and cable.”
 
Gruber says it’s important to consider the changing state of gambling as those involved in treatment and prevention map their strategies. “For most people, gambling is a fun form of entertainment,” Gruber said. “but the focus of the national conference is on those who may be susceptible to a gambling problem.”

The line-up for the national conference includes:

• Dr. Jeff Derevensky, Dr. Bill Eadington and Angela Wiczek’s keynote address on the implications of recent laws to allow states to legalize internet gambling.
• Dr. Heather Chapman on “Rules of Engagement: Working with Veterans and Active Duty Military”
• Joanna Franklin presenting “Smart Choices: Youth Problem Gambling Prevention Program”
• Coleen Moore on “The Great Escape – The Female Compulsive Gambler”
• Don Feeney discussing “What the Public Thinks About Problem Gambling”
• Jim Wuelfing and Mark Vander Linden on the topic of “Post Treatment: How Do We Support Gamblers in Recovery”

Many other presentations and panel discussions are also on the agenda for the two-day conference. In addition, the Prevention Showcase on Saturday afternoon will feature presentations on school-based programs from K-12 through college. There will also be two days of intensive Pre-Conference Workshops, to be held Wednesday, July 11 and Thursday, July 12.

The National Conference on Problem Gambling is the largest and oldest conference on problem gambling in the world. Its focus is to bring together leaders in prevention, education, treatment, responsible gaming, research and recovery. This is the first time the conference has been held in Wisconsin.

“The National Conference is a great way for everyone to share information and increase public awareness of the problems associated with problem and compulsive gambling,” added Keith Whyte, Executive Director of the National Council on Problem Gambling. “The National Conference will feature an impressive group of speakers with wide-ranging expertise on this important issue.”

More information about the 26th National Conference on Problem Gambling is available at http://www.ncpgambling.org/conference.
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The National Council on Problem Gambling is the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families. The mission of the NCPG is to increase public awareness of pathological gambling, ensure the widespread availability of treatment for problem gamblers and their families, and to encourage research and programs for prevention and education. Visit http://www.ncpgambling.org for more information.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 for local confidential help.
Media Contact:
Keith Whyte
National Council on Problem Gambling
202-547-9204
keithw@ncpgambling.org

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/7/prweb9664538.htm