service.
Setting biased opinions aside, a good frame of reference
is the number of studies showing that anywhere from
5-10 million people in the United States (2% of
the population) can be considered compulsive gamblers,
with an additional 3% problem gamblers. Research
also indicates that as many as 7% of teenagers could
be addicted to gambling.
Trends: As gambling
proliferates across America—legal in 27 states
by 1998—one frightening trend always, repeat
always, appears. Saturate any area with gambling
and the prevalence of problem gambling spirals upward.
I am personally inclined to believe that problem
gambling will continue to accelerate north for two
reasons.
1. Social attitudes
toward gambling have changed from negative to positive.
2. Church and state
got into the gambling business. Be it church bingo,
Las Vegas Nights, the lottery or casino gambling,
both institutions not only legitimized gambling
but depend on these legalized activities as a way
of generating revenues.
Profile: Until the
mid-1970s, your typical compulsive gambler was a
white, middle-aged man. Today’s profile according
to the Council of Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
crosses all ages, races, religious persuasions,
socioeconomic levels and educational lines. Below
is their snapshot of your typical compulsive gambler.
Nine out of 10 problem
gamblers are men.
91% of problem gamblers
who paid off their gambling losses continue to gamble.
17% attempt suicide.
96% began gambling
before the age of 14.
Three out of 4 compulsive
gamblers commit felonies because of gambling.
Treatment: What works?
Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous offers the
following questions as self evaluation. These questions
are provided to help the individual decide if he
or she is a compulsive gambler and wants to stop
gambling. Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes
to at least seven of these questions.
1. Did you every lose
time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to
pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition
or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as
soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return
and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was
gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money"
for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare
of your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing,
an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in
sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations
create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good
fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self destruction as
a result of your gambling?
For my loyal readers:
Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone
you care about has a gambling problem and wants
help, call GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS.
GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
is a fellowship of men and women who share their
experience, strength and hope with each other so
they may solve their common problem and help others
recover from a gambling addiction. The only requirement
for membership is a desire to stop gambling. For
further information write or call:
Gamblers Anonymous
International Service Office
P.O. Box 17173
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 386-8789
(213) 386-0030 fax
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org
isomain@gamblersanonymous.org
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