Remember the Story?

We all remember the story of Greg Hogan Jr.? I am sure many of you are saying who? It happened a little over six months ago in Pennsylvania; the college student; son of a preacher who robbed a bank to pay off his on-line gambling debts. Now you remember? Maybe some of you do and some of you don't but like any sensational story which runs its cycle and later streams out of the consciousness of many people.

I haven't forgot this story because it is all too familiar. How can a seemingly innocent 19 year old kid from the a good Midwestern family rob a bank? Simply answer; compulsive gambling addiction. Here is a very comprehensive story from the New York Times Magazine which details this young man's compulsive gambling addiction and recovery. The article is very long but please take the time and read it all; I found it extremely fascinating in many ways.

This is a very telling story what the rush of any gambling not only on-line poker can do to a person. I know first hand what that rush can do to a person and their family. This rush cannot be understood by the 95% of the population who either don't gamble or gamble normally (whatever that is!). This rush is all consuming and through twenty years of denying my compulsive gambling addiction became more and more prevalent as the wagers increased over the years.

Sometimes the only way out for a compulsive gambler like myself is to rob a bank or rob someone else. In order to satisfy that rush I didn't rob a bank but I stole from my employer. This is so wrong in many ways but it didn't matter when I was doing it I needed my fix and I just couldn't stop. I like this young man had to get caught in order to get better. Had I not gotten caught I would have ended up dead so I thank God everyday for that faithful day some fifteen months ago.

Researchers say that Internet poker is addictive. Players say that it's addictive. The federal government says that it's illegal. But colleges have done little to stop its spread on campus. Administrators who would never consider letting Budweiser install taps in dorm rooms have made high-speed Internet access a standard amenity, putting every student with a credit card minutes away from 24-hour high-stakes gambling. Would parent's of high school students host keg parties and say drink responsibly? I would doubt it but gambling seems so harmless and so acceptable more and more young people are becoming addicted. I wonder how different my life would have been if internet gambling had been available when I was in high school or college. Probably not much different because I was programmed from birth to be a compulsive gambler and I may have gotten in deeper faster but I still would have the problems I have now because of gambling.

I am not sure if awareness or going to the Gamblers Anonymous Meeting when I was 18 years old would have saved me. This is something I will never know but I do know now that I am forever grateful for finding the GA rooms some 21 years later and committing myself to recovery. I do have a long time left on this earth (God willing) and I will make it without the lies, deceit and dishonesty because of this Program.

In the article there is a paragraph which mentions GA; In July, at his parents' behest, Hogan attended a few Cleveland-area Gamblers Anonymous meetings, which proved handy when a friend took him to a Canadian casino to play live poker. He found it easy to play a disciplined game under the appraising eyes of older strangers and won $500. The G.A. meetings had taught him to recognize the fish at the table. Except for the one sitting in his seat. I am not speaking for Gamblers Anonymous I am speaking for myself because GA has no opinion on outside issues; this is my opinion; this is not the principle of Gamblers Anonymous. The principle of Gamblers Anonymous is to help others who have a DESIRE to stop gambling not recognize fish at a poker table.

I do take exception to this statement because I don't understand it at all. I have attended over 250 GA meetings and not one of those meetings did we discuss poker strategies in fact the discussions are primary based on recovery from this addiction not to this addiction. I know GA cannot make a statement about this paragraph but I will; it is unfortunate because the article is very well written and comprehensive to today's online gambling addictions. As I discerned from the article a compulsive gambling addiction is baffling, insidious, incomprehensible and makes people like myself do stupid things.

GA is a very simple Program for a very serious addiction and very complicated people. It is a fellowship of men and women helping others to arrest their gambling addictions. There are great steps in this Program and nowhere in those steps does GA recommend going to a live poker table and seeking out the "fish". I am a bit disappointed in this particular paragraph because it may keep people away from GA.

I know GA's public relations philosophy is based on attraction rather than promotion but this one paragraph goes against all the principles in the Program. I am forever grateful for this Program and I will not stand for anyone who denigrates this fabulous Program. I am sending an email to the author; magweb@nytimes.com voicing my displeasure.

As I stated before the article is well written and comprehensive not withstanding this paragraph on Gamblers Anonymous. It is very unfortunate because this young man has a horrible story which can lead to a positive story if he commits to his recovery. Apparently he has undergone treatment in Louisiana which has a great state run program. Normally these programs do interact with GA and hopefully this young man is committed to the Program. If not I do pray for his recovery whatever method he chooses. I do know for myself I cannot stray from the Program or life ceases to exist. I wish this young man the best.