Monday, February 19, 2007

So much concern is placed on the individual who has a gambling addiction. Of
course, treating an individual with a gambling addiction is very important.
What about the families of those with gambling addictions? Often times as a
society we forget about the loved ones of those with addictions. Like
alcoholism, concern must be shown for the family members of those with
gambling addictions. I have heard so many anecdotal stories, fact and
fiction about how gamblers attend places like casinos and Bingos and leave
their children in the car while they go and engage in their habit or
addiction. I have also heard stories of how some gamblers blow their weekly
savings or social security cheques on gambling. Instead of buying food and
clothing for their children, many spend it on gambling, as well as alcohol
and cigarettes, the other two vices which often times trigger and co-exist
with gambling addictions. There is no doubt that gambling is a mental
illness. No matter how hard people try to avoid gambling, they seem to find
their way back to their specific gambling niche. Gambling is a very unique
addiction in that anything can become a potential wager! Think about it.a
gambler is tying to kick the addiction and is doing well. Whenever someone
is striving for total abstinence, they are to avoid any and all triggers and
stimulus which are associated with gambling. So, you have this individual
who does not buy lottery tickets, avoids raffles and most of all, avoids
casinos. They are doing really well. One day, a friend or co-worker
challenges them to something saying." I'll bet you a cup of coffee I can get
my work done faster than you.." or something like that. As harmless as this
sounds, this has the potential for the gambler to throw themselves right
back into their addiction. Remember, it is usually not the winning or losing
which produces the high, rather the anticipation and adrenaline rush which
satiates and drives the gambler. In reality, they are always one wager away
from falling back into the vice.

Gamblers have to be aware at all times what there addiction means to the
loved ones around them. Often times, addicts neglect their loved ones either
emotionally and/or physically. Children are affected the most. Children are
not able to think logically and abstractly and often times perceive
themselves as a contributing factor toward their parent's miserable moods.
Addictions have a powerful influence on a child's self-esteem and
self-confidence. The attitudes and beliefs children develop being around an
individual with a chronic addiction often times leads to problematic
behaviors in the child.