'Hardcore gambler' sought help

'Hardcore gambler' sought help from Gamblers Anonymous in Oklahoma to break addiction
By OMER GILLHAM World Staff Writer

As a recovering gambler, Ron C. knows a thing or two about compulsive betting.

Ron, 58, said he began making wagers as a teenager, which escalated over time to 24-hour gambling at racetracks, casinos and the Internet.

On a typical day of compulsive gambling, Ron began each morning by studying sporting events online before making a call to his bookie. Next, he would go to his office at the racetrack to bet on horses, occasionally checking on the bets he had made that morning on a football or basketball game.

In the afternoon, Ron would check his sports winnings - or losings - while studying upcoming games for wagering during the evening.

"I was a hard-core gambler," Ron said. "It was not uncommon for me to risk more than I would earn in a year."

Ron is one of several recovering gamblers interviewed by the World, who found hope in Gamblers Anonymous. As part of the GA recommendations, Ron has asked to remain anonymous.

He found GA in Tulsa but he now lives in Oklahoma City, where he is known as a reliable member of GA. He attends meetings and answers calls from new gamblers seeking help through the GA meetings.

GA is a 12-step program modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous. Like AA members who stay sober by avoiding the first drink, the recovering gambler stays "clean" by avoiding the first bet, they said.

"If you don't make that first bet you can't get a rush," GA members said.

Being clean means that the person has not bet or wagered at casinos, racetracks, the Internet, pull tabs or other games since a certain date. Ron's clean date begins on May 12, 2007, he said.

Even in recovery, he still sees things in numbers at times.

"I have been clean 1,738 days," said Ron, who once traveled for a living. "I have attended 657 meetings in 24 rooms in 20 cities."

Ron said his life was consumed with finding ways and means to compulsively gamble. Nearing retirement, he has found hope in Gamblers Anonymous.

Once a person has become a compulsive gambler, the person has lost the power of choice, GA members said. While the person may have periods of no gambling or even appearing to control the gambling, the day comes when the person wagers everything and loses everything - more than once.

"The gambler's big dream is winning a jackpot here and there and paying things off," Ron said. "I have had long winning streaks and losing streaks. The final tally was I lost a great deal more money than I ever won."

Ray W., 60, has three years clean in GA. He said: "Gambling was a way for me to escape and run from my problems. GA is a spiritual, not religious, program that works."

Linda C., 67, said she got hooked when she won a $64,000 jackpot years ago. After a lifetime of compulsive gambling, which involved stealing money from her family to gamble, Linda sought help in Gamblers Anonymous in Tulsa. Her clean date is Aug. 23, 2005.

Counseling professionals interviewed by the Tulsa World said that gambling addiction affects the brain in a similar manner as cocaine or opiates, creating a rush or euphoria for the compulsive gambler.

For some, the compulsion to gamble forces the person to wager against his or her will regardless of the consequences, GA members said.

"No matter how much money is in your pocket, you will gamble it," said Willard, 53. "To the last dollar, you think you can win. I have spent money that was meant for bills and Christmas on gambling. The worst part is lying and family know you are lying."

Recovery begins for a compulsive gambler when the person "hits a bottom" and reaches out for help, thus exposing the secrets and dishonesty that most compulsive gamblers live with, GA members said.

GA members and meetings offer a nonjudgmental place for gambling addicts to share their stories among others who understand. Since 1957, one recovering gambler helping another has proven to be pathway of hope for the gambling addict.

Gam-Anon is a 12-step program which offers help for the family and friends of compulsive gamblers.

For the gambler, bottoming out can involve lying to the family, absenteeism at work, wagering the mortgage money, living a dual life, keeping secrets, pawning keepsakes or necessities and stealing from a spouse, family or friends.

"Many of the people calling the GA Helpline are suicidal," Linda said. "Without help, compulsive gambling can kill."

Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20120213_11_A7_Asarec72618