Jun 13, 2023 12:00 PM
Jen Stolka
Problem Gambling Education and Prevention

DRC Sponsor: Alan Lerstrom

Gambling can be an addictive activity in which people between the ages of 20 and 30 have the highest rate of problem gambling. Jen Stolka, the Prevention Services Director at Helping Services for Youth and Families, will discuss education and means of prevention in problem gambling.

Problem gambling is any gambling behavior that disrupts your life. If you're preoccupied with gambling, spending more and more time and money on it, chasing losses, or gambling despite serious consequences in your life, you have a gambling problem. Gambling addiction—also known as pathological gambling, compulsive gambling or gambling disorder—is an impulse-control disorder. If you're a compulsive gambler, you can't control the impulse to gamble, even when it has negative consequences for you or your loved ones. You'll gamble whether you're up or down, broke or flush, and you'll keep gambling regardless of the consequences—even when you know that the odds are against you or you can't afford to lose.

Since 1973, Helping Services for Youth & Families (formerly Helping Services for Northeast Iowa) has been providing children, teens, and adults with the skills and knowledge to bring about positive change in their own lives and in their communities. They provide presentations, programs and trainings in the following areas: domestic violence and child abuse advocacy, family education for new parents, family-friendly activities in the community, educating the public on latest drug trends, providing training to alcohol/tobacco retailers, youth mentoring programs, and participation in local coalition meetings and finding solutions to local concerns.

For more on Helping Services for Youth & Families please visit their website at https://www.helpingservices.org/.

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**Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting, preferably not later than close of business Monday. Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW. The meal sign-up, meeting announcment, and any other logistical information will be distributed in advance to all members by email.