NCPG Conference Day One

I woke up early but not much earlier then normal to make my way to the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Annual Conference. It truly is amazing how things work out. When I was in prison I corresponded with the Executive Director of this organization who is based in Washington D.C. This conference does happen every year and it has been in various locations all across the United States. It so happens (maybe not so “happened”) the conference would be held about 90 miles away from where I live this year and would be held at a time I would be able to attend. I wanted very much to attend the Gamblers Anonymous Conference as they celebrated 50 years last year in October. I was a bit “detained” (in many ways) and was unable to attend that conference but through the graciousness and generosity of the Executive Director who extended me a complimentary invitation I was off to the conference this morning.

I do live in Southern California and the freeways I would be traveling on could be quite congested so I departed giving myself ample time. I didn’t encounter any major traffic tie-ups and I arrived about 30 minutes sooner then I had planned. The drive was fine and I pulled into the hotel’s parking lot where I set out to see a dear friend. This dear friend whom I have written about in the past is a true “pioneer” in the field of problem/compulsive gambling. This friend has just celebrated 40 years in the Gamblers Anonymous Program and was gracious enough to offer me to stay with him at the hotel. This is the program working and another testament in regards to people helping people. My dear friend understands my financial situation and offered to help in anyway and sharing a room was a huge help.

In the past (prior to recovery) I wouldn’t think about sharing a hotel room with anyone other then my wife and family. I was a true snob when it came to these things and many other things for that matter. Thankfully, I may have “matured” but it is all about being in recovery. My mind is so much clearer now then it has ever been and this will be the second time this month I share a room with a very dear friend. Also, being in prison for 19 ½ months taught me and continues to teach me a few things. I shared a cell, bunk and a room all through that period so sharing a hotel room just makes more sense now then it has at any other point in my life.

I walked up to my dear friend’s room and knocked. The door open and I was greeted with a big smile and a warm hug. It was great to see this dear friend who I didn’t know at all three years ago but in recovery this is a person I would love to emulate. A true “pioneer” in the world of compulsive gambling doesn’t give my dear friend justice, this is a truly special person who has dedicated their life to helping compulsive gamblers and this dear friend continues to help me not only with sharing the room but teaching me how to recover from this insidious disease.

We caught up with one another for a few minutes before my dear friend had to depart for a meeting prior to the conference. I was told to make myself at home and I quickly unpacked my belongings. I sat in the room for a few minutes staring out at the Queen Mary across the harbor. I had never been to Long Beach (California) before and from what I could see I was very impressed. There is a large port which is also visible from the hotel window but his large port is well off to the side of town and the rest of town is very quaint. There is a large aquarium adjacent to the hotel and many restaurants and shops all around. This was a great choice for the conference in so many different ways.

I made my way down to the conference where I registered. The ironies in my life never stop as the lanyard (another word for necklace) which holds the name badge was sponsored by my previous employer with their name prominently displayed. I had to smile when I saw this because I may be out of the gaming business but my intention is to help in the problem gaming business and there really isn’t much separation. The irony settled in and I walked around prior to the Keynote Speaker. I ran into a few people I hadn’t seen in awhile and a few others that I recognized but couldn’t place the name. Anyhow I went into the grand ballroom for the keynote address.

The speaker was scheduled to be Maria Shriver (aka the first lady of California) but for some reason (I think conflicting vacation schedules) she had to cancel. Her replacement didn’t have the cache of Maria Shriver but was effective as he discussed many different treatments for problem gamblers. He was from Canada and heads their responsible gambling commission. One treatment he discussed was “controlled” gambling for the compulsive gambler. This is the complete opposite of the Gamblers Anonymous Program where abstinence is the only way. At first I was a bit opposed to this technique but for some people this may work because the end result was indeed abstinence. I know for me recovery which has abstinence as a principle is the only way but I am all for helping anyone who needs help. I did enjoy the presentation very much.

After the keynote speaker the breakout sessions commenced and I went to a session on “Key Results from the 2006 California Prevalence Survey” and the results weren’t very earth shattering as California has the most “at risk” and “problem” gamblers then any other state because the state is the most populous and gaming is easily accessible. The key to all of this were the dollars allocated for prevention and treatment. Unfortunately there aren’t a whole lot of dollars available in spite of the findings. I think this is the first step in the process and somewhere along the way there will be funds available.

The next session was my favorite of the day, “Criminal Justice Panel” with a leading attorney/professor along with the Judge who started the country’s first gambling court. This judge was featured in the Al Roker program I appeared on a few years ago. The judge certainly understands compulsive gambling and understands that there are certain people who do NOT belong in prison. He is taking his concept on the road if I may and presented it to other jurisdictions. In his words it has been a long process and there are other judges who just “don’t get it”. I really appreciated his presentation and the other presenters as well. I was fascinated with the Judge’s personality and spoke with him briefly after the session. He agrees the prison system all throughout the United States is broken and there needs to be viable alternative which he is providing. This was an enlightening session and I sure wish the judge who sentenced me could spend a few minutes speaking with this very proactive person.

The session was completed and it was time for lunch. As I was walking to the ballroom for the lunch session I noticed the Executive Director so I stopped to thank him for the invitation and I was greeted with a big hug. Here is a person who is in charge of a very important organization and was genuinely happy to see me. I was honored and touched in so many ways. We spoke for a few minutes and I told him how I was doing which brought a big smile to his face. He mentioned something like me being a “poster boy” for recovery from compulsive gambling and I thanked him very much. This was a wonderful moment and it has all been made possible with recovery.

The afternoon sessions went well and as I sat in one session my cell phone went off. I politely let it go to voice mail not to disrupt the session. After the session I retrieved the message and it was from the agent in regards to renting the house. I quickly called the agent back and was informed that the house was indeed ours and I will be signing the lease this Monday. I was so relieved and had a few goose bumps run down my arm. Yes, it is all coming together in the best way possible and now we have a house in the same neighborhood we departed two years ago. The transition for everyone should be eased with this news and after I spoke with the agent I had to call my wife with the news. I think she was relieved as well and now this part in place as we rebuild our family. It has been a wonderful day!!!!