Review of “All Bets Are Off”
This is the title and cover of the book about Arnie and Sheila Wexler written by them, along with Steve Jacobson. Arnie and Sheila have helped so many compulsive gamblers and their families to recover from the devastation of compulsive gambling, as well as written training manuals to train casino workers on recognizing a problem gambler. Arnie and Sheila have been in their respective recovery programs for over 47 years and reading their story is just amazing.
Going back to the beginning of Arnie’s gambling, the reader can see how his love of sports quickly evolved into enjoying the sport because of the rush he felt while “in action.” He loved horse racing and spent countless hours at the track. When he wasn’t at the actual track, his mind was still on the upcoming action and how to get more money. He had the ability to charm people into loaning him money, he was collecting kickbacks from vendors through his job, and lying to everybody- all to keep him going. His first date with Sheila (when he was 21 and she was 16) was to a drive-in to see Damn Yankees and the second was to a racetrack. However, as Sheila writes “I never had another date with him unless it was a sports event, a racetrack, or a casino night- except for an occasional Broadway show.” There were many naysayers that tried to convince Sheila NOT to marry Arnie, knowing that he was a compulsive gambler and her life would be hell. However, she loved him and believed that after they married, everything would be different and Arnie’s gambling would come to a halt because he had promised to quit when they were married. Read more →
What’s in a Name?
May 22, 2013
Perhaps…HOPE, HELP and ultimately enhanced UNDERSTANDING and TREATMENT
Clinicians have long-awaited the release of the DSM-5, with the resultant recategorization and change in nomenclature for Gambling Addiction, from Pathological Gambling, Gambling Addiction, Compulsive Gambling and a variety of terms used to discern the varying degrees of severity of addiction, to the newly endorsed term of “Disordered Gambling.“
For those who suffer from a gambling addiction, or “Disordered Gambling” ….the name doesn’t matter. The category doesn’t matter. What matters is..access to treatment, being cared for with dignity as one who suffers from a serious illness versus an individual of weak morals and even weaker character. Gambling addiction is a progressive illness. By the time the afflicted individual reaches out for help, financial resources are decimated, familial relations are strained and help of any kind is hard to come by. There are a few low-cost outpatient treatment services available and, in most states, residential treatment, if available at all, is cost prohibitive and not underwritten by insurance or social services. Read more →
Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act Needs Your Support
Support the Comprehensive Problem Gambling Act (HR 2334)
If you support federal funding for compulsive gambling awareness, prevention and treatment, isn’t it worth five minutes of your time to complete the simple form and let your Representatives hear from you?
Click on link to “Support” govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2334
Gambling is legal in 48 states. Casinos are proliferating, additional slot machines are being added to existing venues and convenience stores, and table games are being added to horse tracks. Gambling is spreading across the country as more and more states try to solve their budget woes by increased gambling tax and licensure revenues. At the same time, state budgets for Problem Gambling Councils and treatment have been cut significantly. Nevada’s budget to address problem gambling was cut by 50% in 2010 and Florida was cut by 90% in 2011! That’s right! NINETY percent! That is just the tip of the iceberg.
To date I am only the 50th person to respond. Let’s double that this weekend! Every voice counts!