Gambling Addiction for Joe Blow

What the Gambling Addiction Statistics Really Mean
According to gambling addiction statistics, over $500 billion are spent on gambling wager annually. It also shows that in any given year, about 3 percent of men and women in United States are problem gamblers.

This addiction is seen more among white Americans and Asians than African American and Latinos. Statistics has also shown that 80 percent of Americans has gambled at some point in their lives. In the research itself about 2.5 million American as young as 20 years of age, (maybe younger) are compulsive gamblers, and 160 millions has some kind of gambling problems.

An addict gets irritated when attempting to stop, he bets more money and frequently. They lose focus and the wager gets bigger and more frequent, and each time, hoping for a win..this will be the last game. They are out of control, they use their credit card, debit card, and any available funds they can get their hands on..and nothing, in spite of the consequences, more bets, more funds until it is all gone. Some don’t even stop there, they borrow from loan sharks and repaying is not even an option, just imagine how he feels.

Gambling is a disease that could cost major disruption in anyone’s life. Even if a person does not gamble, anyone associated with an addict will have a devastating experience as well. In most cases, when gambling, alcohol and drugs are being consumed, which reveals statistically that alcoholism is connected with problem gambling. Addicts lose focus, mentally and physically, which then leads to another mental problem such as depression, personality and mood swing disorder. One get restless, irritable, and are no longer in control of his/her life, which mounts to a very serious consequence. You will lose your family, and your job performance deteriorates and sooner or later you get terminated.

Gambling are legal in 48 states. Cruise ships has some type of gambling available for adults as well. Casinos are producing billions of dollars in revenues and employs thousands of employees around United States. That all sounds really great. Is this something to be proud of? As we have mentioned , millions of Americans are compulsive gamblers who has experienced disruption in their lives at one time or the other. People have lost their house and family, even jobs, and though we all know that gambling creates a problem, not very many likes to talks about it. If a Hollywood stars or a famous athlete gambles thousands of dollars, the media writes about it. News cast has something to talk about , but what about Joe Blow, does he not count? Does he not deserve help?

We know that there are treatments available for problem gambler. These treatment could be phsychotheraphy or prescription medication such as an anti-depressant.

Phone numbers get posted everywhere for an addict to call for help. Support system and “Gambling Anonymous” are also available through out the country.

But how can you help someone who does not admit to themselves that they are addicted to gambling? What does an addict say when he calls for help on the phone. Hello, my name is Joe Blow and I am a compulsive gambler, now, what is the next step. Do you stay on the phone and talk to Joe Blow so he will not go back to the casino? People with this problem has a very weak self esteem . This could only result in recovery if they accept the fact that they have a serious gambling illness. It is hard to understand how these treatments can help an addict. But I am not a doctor and all I can say is, if there are no casinos around, then compulsive gambling is no longer a disease.

Marilyn Lancelot
I am a recovering alcoholic, gambler, and other addiction problems. I published a book, Gripped by Gambling, where the readers can follow the destructive path of the compulsive gambler, a prison sentence, and then on to the recovery road. I recently finished a second book, Switching Addictions, describing the challenges the addict encounters as they work toward recovery. I also publish an online newsletter, Women Helping Women, which has been on-line for more than ten years and is read by women around the world. (www.femalegamblers.info)

Sincerely,

Marilyn Lancelot



About the Author
Marilyn Lancelot is a recovering compulsive gambler. She visited her first casino in 1984 at the age of 53, and for seven years made a four-hour trek from her home to the casino each weekend. She lied to her family and friends, and signed her employers' name to company checks. She contemplated suicide.

Her world came tumbling down when she was finally caught embezzling and was sentenced to two years in prison. Her close-knit family didn't even know about her gambling addiction until her arrest.

Marilyn has been in recovery for sixteen years, and has used her experience to help other women gamblers. She has started Gambler's Anonymous meetings in her hometown and at a local prison. She has a web site devoted to helping women gamblers specifically, many of whose needs were not addressed by male-dominated GA meetings.