It’s easier than ever to gamble. With online games and sports betting, you don’t have to go to a casino or find some exclusive game to start. Gambling can be especially attractive to teens and adolescents. Sports, video game tournaments, and even virtual items can all become opportunities for teens to put real money on the line. Gambling addiction treatment can help your teen break this dangerous cycle before it becomes a lifelong problem.
Family First Adolescent Services offers adolescent mental health treatment programs at our center in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. We specialize in helping teen boys 13–18 overcome addictive behaviors and manage their mental health. Our team also works closely with families to create healthier homes and become partners in recovery. Call 888.904.5947 to see if our residential programs are right for your son.
Online Gambling Addiction Is Real
Addiction does not always involve drugs or alcohol. Behavioral or process addictions occur when an individual compulsively engages in an activity despite negative consequences. Gambling addiction is a real and serious issue that can impact individuals of any age, including teenagers. Virtual platforms—which may not always seem like gambling rooms—have blurred the lines between gaming and gambling, making it easier for adolescents to get hooked.
- Virtual loot boxes – Popular in video games, loot boxes are a form of gambling where players purchase a box with random digital items, hoping to get the most valuable ones.
- Online sports betting – Fantasy football leagues and esports tournaments have become increasingly popular, especially among teens.
- Social media – Some platforms expose teens to gambling-like activities, such as virtual scratch-off tickets or spin-to-win games.
Your son might not realize that the consequences of their gambling have real-world effects. Even though they may not be able to enter a casino or buy lottery tickets, real money is still being risked and lost. This can lead to financial problems, strained relationships, and other consequences that only escalate as they get older.
Our Approach to Inpatient Treatment for Gambling Addiction
Teens might turn to gambling because of boredom, peer pressure, or because it offers them an escape from everyday stressors. The Family First team knows that understanding these underlying factors is crucial in helping teens overcome their addiction. We also support parents during treatment as part of our comprehensive approach.
Teen Gambling Addiction Treatment
When your teen stays at our residential treatment center, they have the opportunity to become immersed in the treatment process. By providing a well-rounded experience, they can learn that life without gambling is meaningful and rewarding. We provide:
- Individual and group therapy
- Academic support
- Opportunities for healthy experiences
- Psychiatric and nursing support
Compassionate professionals work with our clients and their families to create individualized treatment plans that address any co-occurring mental health conditions. We also help teens develop healthy coping skills and relapse prevention strategies, setting them up for long-term success.
Family Support and Involvement
Family involvement is key to successful addiction treatment. Our goal is to help families understand how they can support their teens during and after treatment. Therapy sessions, educational workshops, and consistent communication keep parents involved while connecting with other families going through similar experiences.
After gambling addiction treatment, we provide at least one year of aftercare support for clients and families. Ongoing support and connection are critical in maintaining long-term recovery progress.
Call Family First for Adolescent Gambling Addiction Treatment
Our residential treatment center offers a safe and supportive environment for teens to heal and learn healthy coping skills. Call us at 888.904.5947 or contact Family First Adolescent Services online today to find out if our gambling addiction treatment program is right for your son.