Many times financial problems are a symptom of underlying issues. One in particular is gambling issues. Until the person can come to grips with their gambling issues, bankruptcy won’t be a solution to their financial problems. Once the gambling issues is addressed, bankruptcy can help straighten out the financial problems that go hand in hand with compulsive gambling. The book She Bets Her Life, by Mary Sojourner is about gambling addiction written from the woman’s perspective, and shares the stories of several women (likely amalgams of many stories), and explains both how gambling takes over a person’s brain, as well as their life. It then describes the process and science casinos use to encourage and hook gamblers. Finally it gives good practical advice to gamblers and their families of available resources. Like alcoholism, gambling addicts are never cured and must take it one day at a time. If you or anyone in your family has a gambling problem, I encourage you to read this book.
Some statistics taken from the web: According to recent research, about 2.5 million adults in America are pathological gamblers and another 3 million of them should be considered problem gamblers, 15 million adults are at a risk for problem gambling and about 148 million are low-risk gamblers. Gambling addiction is a compulsive need that can be devastating for the person and his family. Gambling addiction statistics show that more than 80 percent of American adults report having gambled at some point in their lives. Gambling addiction statistics reveal that well over $500 billion is spent as annual wagers. The statistics show that during any year, 2.9 percent of U.S. adults are considered to be either pathological or problem gamblers. Gambling addiction statistics gleaned from a study of co-occurrence of gambling and alcohol reveal that problem drinkers are more likely to have a gambling addiction problem.
Gambling addiction is a gambling behavior that causes disruptions in any major area of life – Psychological, Physical, Social or Vocational. The term gambling addiction includes but is not limited to the condition known as pathological or compulsive gambling – A progressive gambling addiction characterized by increasing preoccupation with gambling, a need to bet more money frequently, restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop, “chasing” losses, and loss of control manifested by continuation of the gambling behavior in spite of mounting serious negative consequences.
The local Wichita Falls Chapter of Gamblers’ Anonymous (GA) is: Floral Heights Methodist Church 2214 Tenth St. Wichita Falls TX 76309
When: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays