| ing addiction is silent and self destructive until the | | | | The compulsive gambler suffers from a serious |
| compulsive gambler wakes up and realizes this is not | | | | disease and, because of the nature of that disease, it |
| how they want to live their lives. Gambling makes | | | | is likely that the illness will not be discovered, until it is |
| you feel good, but it can be harmful. Gambling | | | | in its advanced stages. |
| problems have been around forever, but with the | | | | There exist many groups designed to help |
| proliferation of casinos I'm sure we can all agree that | | | | compulsive gamblers. Once a compulsive gambler no |
| the problem has and will continue to grow over time. | | | | longer has any resources to gamble with, reality sets |
| A compulsive behaviour is an uncontrollable desire to | | | | in and they have to admit they have a serious |
| do something over and over again. Compulsive | | | | problem. It doesn’t matter if a compulsive |
| gamblers may resort to any means to raise funds for | | | | gambler is up five thousand dollars, they will still |
| their sef destructive habit. The compulsive gambler | | | | gamble until they lose all the money they came with. |
| needs to be willing to accept the fact that he or she, | | | | Compulsive gamblers live their lives to just place one |
| is in the grip of a progressive illness and needs | | | | more bet. Unlike other form of addiction, the |
| professional help to get better. | | | | compulsive gambler has no strange smell or marks on |
| Gamblers begin as most others do, by placing small | | | | his arm to distinguish himself from other people. |
| bets on horses or engaging in low-stakes card games | | | | With debt, domestic violence, abuse of children and |
| or craps. Gamblers have been known to lose their | | | | divorce being the major problems. They also have |
| jobs, homes, and families as a result of their activities. | | | | many problems with employment, changing jobs |
| Gamblers are difficult to treat because they refuse | | | | frequently, either by their own choice or in most |
| to recognize that they have an a problematic | | | | cases, being asked to leave. |
| condition. | | | | Unlike others, the compulsive gambler is rooting for |
| The first bet to a problem gambler is like the first | | | | one team or horse over another because he has had |
| small drink to a alcoholic. To the compulsive gambler, | | | | to bet with money he probably cannot afford to |
| the need to bet is no longer a little "action" or the | | | | lose. |
| illusion of a quick and easy profit it becomes a matter | | | | To the compulsive, gambling seems to offer an easy |
| of life and death. | | | | solution to some of life's most pressing problems: |
| Unless treated, the gambling will reach the point | | | | insufficient money, little prestige or self-esteem, |
| where it compromises, disrupts and then destroys | | | | feelings of boredom or failure, hopelessness and |
| the gambler's personal life, family relationships and | | | | defeat. Some people stop right before it's too late |
| other pursuits. | | | | and they have a few assets left. |