Does not Matter

I have written before the addiction of compulsive gambling does not discriminate; it affects, the young, old, rich and poor. Here are two stories which depict the compulsive gambling affecting the young and affecting the old. The reasons are basically the same (escape); however; the younger people feel they could make an "easy" living out of gambling and the older people feel they are "entitled" to a reward for their long years of making an honest living. The numbers are a bit alarming in both segments; for example the likelihood of a young person becoming a pathological (which I am) gambler is between and 4 and 8 percent which is DOUBLE the national average. In older people the likelihood of becoming a compulsive gambler is 10% of all seniors who gamble. This is also DOUBLE the national average.

It really doesn't matter who you are this addiction can control your life. Why are these two segments of the population at risk for problem gambling? The aforementioned escape; the seniors want some excitement and they can escape into the casino for a few hours because they have the time. Whereas the younger generation sees an "easy" way to make a living also there is a sense of an escape to the poker table whether it is at a casino or on-line. Television certainly glamorizes poker more so today than ever before which does not help.

Here is a quote from Arnie Wexler a world renown consultant on problem gambling and also my friend (his words as well); “My biggest argument for the past 38 years has been that we need to educate people about the problem.” He was talking about having colleges, high schools and grammar schools educate their students on the pitfalls of gambling like they do with drugs and alcohol. I have not seen what the prevalence of someone becoming an alcoholic or drug addict are? I wonder if it is higher or lower than that of becoming a compulsive gambler? If it is higher and I have a sneaking suspicion it may be then why isn't more being done? Yes, gambling is socially accepted but so is drinking. There are programs for alcohol awareness at the grammar school level but not gambling, why?

I will try and do some research into the prevalence of becoming and alcoholic or drug addict and report back what I have learned. I think it would be interesting to compare the numbers. I am by no means anti-gambling I made a very good living in this industry and yes, I do realize I may never go back to this industry because of my misdeeds. I certainly do not want to abolish or appeal the casinos or any other gambling devices that are out there; however; I believe the time has come to educate everyone on what can happen if this disease is allowed to progress. I am a perfect example of what not to do. I left this disease unchecked for all of my life and I am in a place where I never thought I would be and I hurt people I never thought I would hurt. It is a horrible disease and it does not matter who you are everyone is susceptible if they are not careful.

I spoke with the producer of the Court TV documentary I did the interview for back in July and he was going over a few things. He was verifying some facts and getting the timeline straightened out. The film is almost finished and it is due to air sometime in December. Hopefully, the film will help one person get help with this disease that would not have sought help and this would be a good thing. I firmly believe my situation happened for a reason and through this bad situation there really has been some good. I believe it helped me understand who I really am and saved me.