National Problem Gambling Awareness Month – March, 2015
The National Council on Problem Gambling announces March is National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, with the message
“Problem Gambling: Have the Conversation.”
Sometimes it can be difficult to ask someone about their gambling habits. Perhaps a loved on seems preoccupied with sports wagering or you’re concerned about the amount of time they spend on line or in a casino. That niggling feeling comes up that “something’s just not right.” Bill collectors are calling, money is missing, too much time is spent away from home…these are possible signs of a problem. And often, it can be uncomfortable to “Have the conversation” about gambling habits.
Many people can gambling “recreationally”, and for them it is a harmless entertainment like going to a movie, a sporting event or a concert. But for those who can’t “gamble normally”, gambling addiction can be a devastating mental health disorder; destroying lives and harming families. Anyone is subject to become addicted to gambling. Gambling addiction crosses all socio-economic levels. Experts agree that between 3 and 6% of the US population is impacted by some degree of problem gambling. Gambling Disorder is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as an Addiction which is treatable IF it is recognized and treatment is sought.
It starts with a CONVERSATION.
For more information and many helpful tools to support National Problem Gambling Awareness Month, go to npgam.org. For Immediate Help with a gambling problem call the National Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Against All Odds
“The safest way to double your money is to fold over once and put it in your pocket.” (Kin Hubbard)
Ah, truer words have never been written and definitely did not originate from a gambler. For the gambler, it is more about the euphoria of winning when the odds are high or stacked against you. It is the ‘rush’- the excitement and angst that live in your gut when you are betting money you cannot afford to bet, but the payout and chance to ‘get square’ outweigh everything rational and logical that you know. Years ago, golfer Lee Trevino was asked if he felt pressure on making a putt during the Senior Skins match worth $100,000. He said “You don’t know what pressure is until you’ve played for $5 a hole with only $2 in your pocket.” Although Trevino has never been identified as a problem gambler, he definitely has the mentality and thought-process of a gambler.
On Christmas Day of 2014, the remake of The Gambler with Mark Wahlberg was released 40 years after the original version starring James Caan. Both movies follow a similar track- a college professor who likes to gamble, gambles beyond his means and requires a bailout from his mother, and in both movies, he has to convince one of his students (a star basketball player) to do whatever possible so that the team does not win by more than 7 points. Both versions of the movie show the escalation and riskiness of the protagonist chasing their bets, the threats of their bookies as they continue to dig deeper holes for themselves, and the anxiety of finding the money to place their next bet. As a recovering compulsive gambler viewing both these movies, the biggest difference that I noted was that in the orginal, Caan appears to have no remorse and no desire to quit digging his hole; whereas, Wahlberg at least appears to be seeking redemption and to change his gambling ways. The same week that I watched both of these movies, I also watched “Owning Mahowny” (2003) with Philip Seymour Hoffman, based on a true story of a Canadian banker. Although he was not a sports gambler, he was nicknamed “Iceman” and once he started manipulating funds at the bank, he began to escalate the amount of money he would then take to Atlantic City. All told, he ended up embezzling over 10.2 million dollars and, when taken into custody, he appeared stunned and in denial that he had done anything wrong. Read more →
I thought I was lucky………
My name is Nancy and I am a 46-year-old woman who has the most wonderful man in her life and two terrific boys who are 10 and 4. Rewind two years ago and I had never gambled a day in my life and thought that anyone who gambled was wasting their time and money. My boyfriend invited me to go to Laughlin for the weekend and I said, “Lets go!” We had a blast and as we enjoyed our Bloody Marys at the bar, my boyfriend would hand me twenty dollars for me to put in the keno machine while he played video poker. As I yawned and played a game that was so simple yet bored me to tears. I sat there and played until I would lose and couldn’t wait to get some food or hang out by the pool.
We went back there quite a bit our first year together due to my boyfriend’s uncle dying of cancer with months to live. And then it happened……while sitting at the bar while the bar was going crazy because we had just won the Stanley cup, I was jumping up and down and looked down to hear this faint bell ringing that seemed nonstop and I had just gotten 6 out of 6 on keno……. I hit my boyfriend’s arm and said, “Look, I won!” Wow, I just won $440 and couldn’t believe it and I said “Now what?” He said “Cash out and go turn your ticket into the machine to get your money.” That’s it? I felt like I was up to no good but I had money and that was it for me, I wanted to save it and go shop or something, but he says “OK, but let’s play $100 of it……ok?” Well the next morning I won the same amount again. It still wasn’t hitting me yet but he said, “You are so lucky!” I felt special because every time I won it made him very proud of me and it felt good. Read more →
Recovering Gambler concerned about internet gambling
I was watching Huckabee Saturday night and there was a Senator on urging folks to write to your rep to stop legalization of internet gambling, here is my letter. I encourage all to do the same Here is the web site:
stopinternetgambling.com
I am a recovering compulsive gambler and I am writing to urge you to restore the US policy banning Internet gambling in order that the destructive effects of this devastating emotional illness does not have a conduit to dismantle families like the one I had prior to my gambling addiction.
The compulsive gambler many times doesn’t even realize they are in the grips of this crippling addiction and now it’s up to you to eliminate internet gambling and help save the families of your constituents, prevent underage gambling, reduce the destruction caused by problem gamblers, and other illegal activity which is virtually impossible to enforce on the Internet.
Please consider the implications of setting up a casino on every computer in America. Allowing internet gambling to continue would be like allowing cancer to go untreated, or other diseases to be left to run their destructive course. Read more →
Mental Health Services for Gambling Addiction Supported by Nevada Senators
Senator Randolph Townsend, Mr. Dan Shapiro, Bea Aikens, Senator Aaron Ford (Left to Right)
November 9, 2014 – At a presentation on Gambling History in Las Vegas, Nevada Senators Ford and Townsend promised to pursue help in providing healthcare services for gambling addiction.
“ There’s no wrong door Bea.” This is what ran through my mind when Nevada Senator Aaron Ford called me earlier this year asking if I would be a part of the Gambling Panel for the “British American Project.”
It’s a phrase I often use when called upon to speak about problem gambling or to serve those impacted by gambling addiction.
The woman credited with this phrase was a pioneer in advocacy for problem gambling services, Dr. Rena Nora ncpgambling.org/files/public/DrNora_Pioneer.pdf While I never met this much beloved woman, I am honored to be a benefactor of Dr. Nora’s wisdom by way of her mentee Carol O’Hare of the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling nevadacouncil.org, and her daughter Judge Cheryl Moss , both inspiring champions of the cause, who carry the torch that Dr. Nora ignited.
When asked to speak I answered “Absolutely,” even though I knew little about “the British American Project” or what their interest was in Gambling and Gambling Addiction.
There was a “Knock.” I answered….and the door swung WIDE OPEN as Senator Ford publicly committed that he and Senator Townsend could and would advance the ball in assuring equal services are made available for Nevadans struggling with a gambling addiction!
Compulsive Gamblers Can’t Be Anonymous
Compulsive Gamblers can’t be anonymous anymore. If people don’t know about our disease, there’s never a hope for treating it and maybe, someday, curing it.
These are the sentiments of recovering compulsive gambler and Las Vegas attorney Doug Crawford, who will forever be linked to the very public case which resulted in his 2009 suspension from the practice of law. In a January 2012 trial, Doug was the first defendant in a Clark County, NV criminal case to be sentenced in accordance with provisions of the Nevada Problem Gambling Diversionary Law The Diversionary sentencing mandates therapy and attendance at mutual aid support meetings as well as restitution for crimes committed in furtherance of the disease of gambling addiction.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Doug. He candidly shared his story …from early dependence on alcohol and drugs to a gambling addiction that lead him down a path he never imagined he would take – stealing from his clients’ trust account in furtherance of his addiction.
Doug Crawford’s Interview can be seen at youtube.com/user/lanieshope
Gambling Addiction Documentary
Maryland Public Television and the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling present an exceptional Gambling Addiction Documentary in “Understanding Joy.”
- Gambling Addiction Documentary
Don’t let the name fool you…there’s nothing “Joyful” about a gambling addiction. “Joy W.” shares her personal struggles with gambling addiction and the ramifications of acting out in her disease. Joy’s gambling addiction lead her to actions she would have never thought herself capable of doing. In her words, “It’s like my brain was hijacked.” I have heard this and similar declarations like “I can’t believe I did those things” or “It felt like I was in a trance” from others with a gambling addiction. Read more →
Hopeless, Helpless, Worthless
Hopeless, Helpless, Worthless
Those are the words that describe how I feel after another night at the casino. Unless, of course, I win and then I’m on top of the world until I sink it all back into the slot machines. I am a 60 year old female who discovered slot machines 4 years ago. I never gambled before that point in my life. Today, after only 5 years of marriage, my spouse has had enough. He’s paid my payday loans for 4 years and the amount is staggering. I’ve transferred money into my account from his in order to play the slot machines. I lie about my whereabouts. I’ve pawned my wedding ring for gambling money. While visiting my mother, I pawned some of her jewelry for gambling money. I’ve lost every member of my family (8 siblings), 3 children, and my spouse due to gambling not to mention countless friends. I haven’t a penny to my name and my husband told me to leave. I have no money for gas and no where to go. I’m sure this is all sounding familar to anyone who is a compulsive gambler.
Suicide Prevention – Walk in Memory/Walk In Hope – Henderson, NV September 13, 2014
Walk In Memory/Walk in Hope 2013
Walk in Memory/Walk In Hope
Suicide Prevention Event
Henderson, NV
September 13, 2014
Problem gambling is a serious community health issue and it is estimated that as many as one in five problem gamblers may attempt suicide. Hosted by the Nevada Coalition of Suicide Prevention this outstanding community advocacy event provides an opportunity for our community to stand up in support of those who have experienced suicide of a loved one, but more importantly takes a stand for suicide prevention, education and advocacy. Read more →
Gambler’s Fallacy: Proof Is In The Brain
This cartoon illustrates an individual playing a risky game of Russian roulette with some faulty (and dangerous) reasoning that because he’s been lucky 5 times so far, then he’ll prevail on the 6th time as well. For years I’ve heard of the ‘gambler’s fallacy’, in which a gambler believes that given enough throws of the dice, turns of the wheel (roulette) or push of a button (slot machine) that they are just ‘one more time’ away from the big win. Understanding that each event is independent of another and completely random according to statisticians did not make a difference in my gambler’s mind, but instead kept me playing long past what a reasonable, non-addicted person would play. The ‘near-misses’ excited that portion of my brain that craved the reward and euphoria that would come, if I only played long enough and was patient enough to see that jackpot come through…one more time. Read more →
Gamblers Anonymous of Southern Nevada Conference, May 17, 2014
Conference open to Gamblers Anonymous and Gam Anon members only.
Lanie’s Hope is in no way affiliated with Gambler Anonymous. Information posted is in keeping with our Mission and our goal to serve those who suffer with a Gambling Problem.
Gambling Addiction: Forget-itis or a Touch of Insanity?
Gambling Addiction – Insanity or “Forget-itis”?
Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity “doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result” is often espoused by those recovering from a Gambling Addiction. For some of us, we’ve coined the phrase “forget-itis” as much the same thing and very similar to what Bill Murray experienced in his movie “Groundhog Day” (1993) doomed to repeat his day over and over with the same results. Having spent almost twelve years in a 12-step group for gambling addiction, if I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone share their experience of doing the same thing over and over again, well, I would be rich!!
I did search the Internet for a definition or explanation for the term ‘forgetitis’ and although I was unsuccessful in that quest, I did find in Wikipedia the following: Read more →