Parents Addiction to Poker is Destroying my Household

Every since I was 14 (almost 4 years ago) my parents started playing this online poker website (pokerstars). They live and breath for this game... they've actually made fake accounts with two woman (which means my dad is pretending to be a woman too!) I sit and hear about this made up land of all of their poker friends (who are online people that may be as fake as the blondes they pretend to be) and my household is on edge because my mom almost left us before for an online male.

Life has never been easy (who's really has) but I can understand somewhat my mom's wanting to leave for a stranger. My dad was abused as a child and is a very possessive, abusive (when not medicated), and childish man. I feel like I have to be the parent a lot of the time with my younger brothers, but they rage against me most of the time. My boyfriend wants to help, but when people tell them to quit, that it's ruining everyone's life, they become defensive... my mother cries and says it's all she has to make her feel better...

I understand that life is hard, it pretty much sucks, but they're potentially destroying my brother's childhoods. Neither one has a job (my dad never has) my mom is in college a few days a week (and skips a lot of them for poker, or to sleep because she stays up all night and morning). The house is usually messy. They're always screaming at each other, calling each other terrible names I'd rather never repeat. My dog is stresses out when there's hollering, so I'm always holding him, or calming him down when he hides behind me or underneath me. I come home from school to them sleeping on the couch most of the time, and I'm not sure how much more my household can take.

Is there any stopping this? Any ways I could get them to see they need help... an addiction website, maybe symptoms of addiction, should they find help (like therapy), or should I let things be (since they're the adults)?

I am so sorry that you are having to deal with this because your parents have chosen not to be the adults in your household.

If you go to church have you tried talking to the pastor there?
Or have you looked online for gambling addiction help sites?

I would start with those two suggestion and if needed get another adult family member involved.

welcome to pc! i'm so glad you found us.
i'm sorry you have this concern for your family. gambling can be a compelling addiction, taking over and controlling people's lives, thier loved ones' lives, and their money. i liked what rhapsody suggested and have one more...are u still in school where u can talk with a guidance counselor? the counselor may have some good suggestions for you and also ways of dealing with this situation at home. i hope you will keep us posted on how you and your siblings are doing. we care about you and you do matter to us.