Gambling, Vaping, and Drinking, Oh My! Addressing Underage Risky Behaviors | Virtual | Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm | Presented by Elizabeth Thielen, LPC, PCGC. EVENT FLYER
REGISTER HERE!
FREE: 2 IDFPR CEU for LSW/LCSW, LPC/LCPC, Psychologists, and IAODAPCA
SUMMARY
With vaping, underage drinking, marijuana use and other concerns, many helping professionals might be overwhelmed to consider “yet another thing to worry about” with underage gambling. However, there is much we can do in our professional and personal lives to better respond to the risk underage gambling poses to youth in our community. We can learn from what has worked and what has not worked to tackle other problems facing teens and young adults, and recognize some unique challenges faced by this specific behavior. This workshop will look at the swiftly changing landscape of gambling, it’s impact on youth and young adults, and will outline ways we can all play a role in preventing and mitigating gambling-related harm in youth and young adults. With timely news articles and stats, video content sharing a lived experience perspective, and innovative educational programs, this workshop will keep attendees’ attention.
OBJECTIVES
- Attendees will be able to identify at least 3 signs a young person may be gambling.
- Attendees will be able to list at least 3 possible consequences to underage gambling.
- Attendees will be able to list at least 2 resources to turn to, if they encounter a young person with gambling-related concerns.
PRESENTER
Elizabeth Thielen, LPC, PCGC, is a Senior Director at Nicasa Behavioral Health Services in Lake County, IL, with over 20 years in the addictions field. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she is one of only about 70 certified gambling counselors in Illinois. Elizabeth is passionate about increasing awareness of gambling disorder in the community and among helping professionals. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling. Elizabeth co-chairs the Gambling Disorder Committee, which makes recommendations to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery. Having spoken at the local, State, and National levels, Elizabeth is recognized as an engaging speaker on the subject of gambling disorder and prevention. A former amateur athlete, Elizabeth is also committed to helping athletes avoid disordered gambling as our state adjusts to recently legalized sports betting.
