Herkimer County woman recalls the perils of gambling addiction
By By JOLEEN FERRIS
Story Created: Apr 4, 2008
UTICA - Officials at Utica's Insight House say that in 2007, for the first time ever, more women than men sought treatment in New York State for problem gambling.
One local woman took the step years ago, after 'scratching' her way into bankruptcy. It wasn't those shiny slot machines or sleek wooden roulette tables that were Myra Frederick's undoing. Her downfall is something that's all around us - many of us put them in children's birthday cards without incident.
But Myra Fredricks tried to fill a void created by unresolved issues in her past, by plowing through mountains of scratch-off lottery tickets.
But therapy, the Insight House in Utica and Gamblers Anonymous helped her break a difficult addiction that made her feel like she was in an endless downward spiral.
"In the 12-step program we talk about one of the signs is: if you win, you feel like you have to go back and win more and if you lose, you've got to to back to win that back so if you're doing those two things, when are you ever going to stop?" she said.
A spokesperson for the New York State Lottery says the games are designed to entertain players and they actively encourage their players to do so responsibly. And that the play responsibly message and 800 number to the New York State Council on problem gambling appear on every lottery ticket, terminal and venue across the state.
One local woman took the step years ago, after 'scratching' her way into bankruptcy. It wasn't those shiny slot machines or sleek wooden roulette tables that were Myra Frederick's undoing. Her downfall is something that's all around us - many of us put them in children's birthday cards without incident.
But Myra Fredricks tried to fill a void created by unresolved issues in her past, by plowing through mountains of scratch-off lottery tickets.
But therapy, the Insight House in Utica and Gamblers Anonymous helped her break a difficult addiction that made her feel like she was in an endless downward spiral.
"In the 12-step program we talk about one of the signs is: if you win, you feel like you have to go back and win more and if you lose, you've got to to back to win that back so if you're doing those two things, when are you ever going to stop?" she said.
A spokesperson for the New York State Lottery says the games are designed to entertain players and they actively encourage their players to do so responsibly. And that the play responsibly message and 800 number to the New York State Council on problem gambling appear on every lottery ticket, terminal and venue across the state.
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