Solingen event exposes hidden toll of gambling addiction on families
A special event for National Gambling Addiction Awareness Day will take place this week in Solingen. The focus this year is on children growing up in families affected by problem gambling. Organisers aim to highlight the often-overlooked impact on young people when a parent struggles with addiction.
The expert discussion will run from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 28, at St. Sebastian Church in Solingen-Ohligs. Caritas Addiction Counseling Center's gambling support service is hosting the session, bringing together professionals and individuals with firsthand experience.
Natalie Becker from Solingen Addiction Counseling will lead the discussion. She will cover the different types of gambling, how addiction is diagnosed, and the underlying psychological and biological processes. Attendees will also learn about available support services for those affected.
A person with lived experience of gambling addiction will share their personal story. Their perspective aims to give deeper insight into the challenges faced by individuals and their families.
Recent figures show a rise in gambling-related support cases in Nordrhein-Westfalen. In 2022, around 5,200 people and families received professional help for gambling addiction. Reports from counselling centres and the state gambling commissioner suggest the number has grown to roughly 6,000 in 2023.
The event seeks to raise awareness of gambling addiction's effects, particularly on children in affected households. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the risks, warning signs, and ways to access help. Support services in the region continue to see increasing demand for assistance.
