Gambling a compulsive disease

Bernard Zeitler: Gambling a compulsive disease

On Sunday, Jan. 26, I was struck with a sense of sadness after reading a letter to the editor titled “Casino doesn’t show flip side of coin.”

The letter told a familiar story for compulsive gamblers in recovery like myself. It is the story of reaching breaking points and losses that are far more important than the money lost.

Ms. Wade, I know your pain and I know your grandmother’s pain. Who am I, you ask? My name is Bernie and I am a compulsive gambler.

I started my recovery on Nov. 21, 2007 when, after going to a GA meeting, I came face to face with the truth.

It is hard to feel good about casinos or any of the many ways gambling presents itself here in Michigan and across the country.

Most people in Michigan probably do not realize that we are one of only three states that have legalized all defined forms of gambling, the other two are Iowa and Louisiana. How can anyone feel good about that?

I am here to tell you that while I am not against gambling, I am disappointed that it is not treated like alcoholism. There is a need for treatment and assessment of people for this.

The State of Michigan has been planning to unleash gambling online and from iPhones now to reach more people.

This I have a problem with because while it may be a revenue stream for the government, it is not good for people who are already struggling to pay their bills.

Compulsive gamblers do not show the same physical signs as other addicts but they do show signs.

When a person follows this path, these changes may occur: less contact with people they know, trouble at work, a decrease of interest in other activities and increased borrowing.

Often, a person will begin to show physical signs when the pressure of their losses gets to the point they can’t hide it anymore. This addiction causes behavior changes that include building a fantasy around lies told to cover losses of time, money and property.

It is a silent addiction today because it is often not identified until one of three things happen: the person is convicted of a crime and ends up in jail; the person commits suicide because of how bad it has become; or, as with me, they end up in the hospital because of everything coming apart.

Some excuses that people come up with are very believable on the surface, but when it comes right down to it, they are not entirely true.

The excuses are not just from the gambler but also from those around them too. Justifying gambling because you know “the next one’s a winner,” “I’m just having a little fun,” “he/she needs a little fun after all they do work hard,” and not thinking about other activities that used to be fun is a path to trouble.

Now that compulsive gambling is identified as an addiction, it is time to treat it as one. There is evidence that, while no drug is ingested, the brain centers triggered by substance abuse respond identically for compulsive gamblers.

At risk populations include the elderly, poor and young adults. Many will start because of loneliness, boredom and/or poor self-esteem. Another thing to be aware of is if a person has had prior addictions.

Do you suspect you or someone you know has a problem? Seek out help through support groups, counseling, and reading up on it.

Consider this thought: Do you go to a restaurant to buy one french fry and leave, or are you going for the whole meal and the experience of the restaurant?

For compulsive gamblers it is the same thing. It is the whole experience that they go for.


Bernard Zeitler is the founder
and CEO of Stand Tall Recovery Services, and is the author of “How to Win as a High Roller While Losing Your Shirt.” He can be reached at (517) 980-0013 or standtallrecoveryservice@hot-
mail.com.

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