The National Gambling Impact and Study Commission,
Stated that in the U. S. A there were 5 million addicted gamblers and 15 million at risk.
What is Compulsive Gambling?
Arnie Wexler CCGC
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease, much like an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many cases, the gambling addiction is hidden until the gambler becomes unable to function without gambling, and he or she begins to exclude all other activities from their lives. Inability to stop gambling often results in financial devastation, broken homes, employment problems, criminal acts and suicide attempts.
The gambler is eventually able to remove themselves from reality to the point of being totally obsessed with gambling. Eventually, they will do anything to get the money with which to stay in “action”. They will spend all their time and energy developing schemes in order to get the money to continue gambling. Lying becomes a way of life for the gambler.
They will try to convince others and themselves that their lies are actually truths and they will believe there own lies.
After they hit a real bottom they will have to do something if they want to try to recover. Most gamblers at that point will want to stop but can’t (they wont be able to).
Most even at that point will keep gambling some will end up in jail some will attempt suicide some will die from their addiction as they will not take care of their health or the stress will kill them.
And a small group of addicted gamblers will seek and find real help but the real trick is to get in to real recovery. Not just abstinence. By the time the gambler comes for help they have broken brains (Meaning their brains don’t work like they used to when they were not in there addiction).
So many addicted gamblers are looking to stop and have tried over and over to stop but cant do it on there own with out help.
To get real recovery the gambler needs to work on them self’s one day at a time and get someone to do there thinking for them who has been in recovery some time and has there brains are working right (a sponsor) After some time in recovery there brains will start to work again. They will become productive on there job and become a good father and husband. Recover is a process and does not happen with out a lot of work on your self . and making a moral and financial inventory. But some gambling addicts can recover and do with help.
Nine gambling myths that keep the gambler in action–
From Arnie and Sheila Wexler, who present workshops and seminars on compulsive
gambling addiction and run a national hotline for problem gamblers: 888-LAST BET: 1. The big win is just around the corner with the next bet I make.
2. I can get even again, then I will stop gambling.
3. I am not like drug addicts or alcoholics.
4. I can stop anytime I want. I just don’t want to stop.
5. I am too young to be a gambling addict.
6. If I had more money I know I could win.
7. I am smarter than the rest of the gamblers.
8. The losses are not my fault right now because I’m having bad luck.
9. I know I can beat this game.
DO COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS EVER MAKE MONEY GAMBLING ?
BY Arnie Wexler CCGC
Compulsive gamblers sometimes show a profit from a single session but in the end they cannot keep it. They will lose it all and more because of their addiction.
A win is never big enough so they keep playing and dream that this time they will get the “Big Win” they crave. When it does ( sometimes it does ) it is still not enough so they keep gambling and lose more.
Just like “normal people” who win and buy something with the money, the compulsive gambler will only see a win as a sign that they are now on a winning streak so they risk more. They cannot stop the chase to win more and more. The human drama continues when they lose and chase the losses with even more money. The cycle continues.
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease, much like an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many cases, the gambling addiction is hidden until the gambler becomes unable to function without gambling. He or she begins to exclude all other activities from their lives. Their ability to stop gambling often results in financial devastation, broken homes, employment problems, criminal acts and suicide attempts.
The gambler will eventually remove themselves from reality to the point of being totally obsessed with gambling. They will do anything to get money with which to stay in “action”. They will spend all their time and energy developing schemes in order to get more cash to continue gambling. Lying becomes a way of life for the gambler. They will try to convince family, friends and even themselves that their lies are actually truths and they will believe there own lies.
Compulsive gamblers will hit a real bottom and it is then that some will try to do something to recover but most gamblers only want to stop but can’t. They are simply unable to beat the addiction. Most even at that point will keep gambling. Some will end up in jail, some will attempt suicide, others will die from their addiction as they will not take care of their health. Perhaps the stress will kill them.
A small group of addicted gamblers will finally seek and find real help but the real trick is to get in to real recovery. Not just abstinence. By the time the gambler comes for help they have broken brains. They are mentally ill. To get real recovery, the gambler needs to work on themselves one day at a time.
Compulsive gamblers who want to recover and get a stress free life must find a “sponsor” someone who will do their thinking for them. A “sponsor” should be someone who has been in recovery for some time and has a real knowledge of how compulsive gamblers feel. After some time in recovery their brain will start to function normally and they will see their problem for what it is: a health and wealth issue. They will become productive on their job and become a good father / mother wife / husband. Recovery is a process and does not happen without a lot of work. The gambler must choose to make a moral and financial inventory. People can and do recover.
NEED HELP WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION CALL 888 LAST BET
561 2490922 CELL 954 5015270
Arnie Wexler placed his last bet 4/10/68 opening day of the 1968 baseball season when the the N Y METS LOST TO THE S. F . GIANTS.
Arnie and Sheila Wexler have provided extensive training on Compulsive, Problem and Underage Gambling, to more than 40,000 gaming employees (personnel and executives) and have written Responsible Gaming Programs for major gaming companies. In addition, they have worked with Gaming Boards and Regulators, presented educational workshops nationally and internationally and have provided expert witness testimony. Sheila Wexler is the Executive Director of the Compulsive Gambling Foundation. They also run a national help line (888 LAST BET) and work at Recovery Road, a treatment facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida that specializes in the treatment of those suffering with gambling addiction.