by Jerry "Jet" Whittaker

Dec 9, 2006

Legalized gambling is all the rage now in many small towns and cities in the U.S. One discernible fallout of widespread gambling has been a rise in addictive gambling. Though conservative estimates put the figure of addictive gamblers at a mere three to six percent of the gambling population, this can translate into peak human tragedy. The stark reality is that an unshakable gambling addiction can spell utter financial ruin for both the gambler and his immediate family. The disease is highly prevalent now and its proportions are increasing in direct ratio to the multiplication of gambling opportunities.

The three phases of gambling addiction

Pathological gamblers are known to stake their entire finances on a game premised on sheer luck and chance. Often described as an “impulse control disorder” pathological gambling is clearly a progressive disorder that passes through three significant phases. The first is the winning phase, when flush with transient victory, the gambler is in an expansive frame of mind. The tendency is to be overly optimistic with the initial winning streak and to imprudently stake all the winning claims on subsequent gambles. The second phase is when on encountering losses, the pathological gambler will delude himself into thinking this is a temporary phenomenon that will fade away. This is the time the pathological gambler will recollect his earlier wins and try to recapture lost glory. This is the stage when lying is resorted to extensively. The gambler will lie to close friends, associates, family and above all, to himself.  The third stage is the desperation phase when immense financial losses pile up, the addictive gambler is unable to recoup even marginally, retreats into his shell, and begins the long-winded process of alienating his family and friends.

Tragic consequences

Obviously then, the whole process is one of self-delusion where the addictive gambler is in denial that he has irrecoverable financial debts and is irretrievably hooked to a malignant activity. The finale is a tragic tailspin into bankruptcy, divorce, drug abuse, alcoholism or even suicide.

Ways to overcome

The trouble with addictive gambling is that the entire society has to bear the emotional and financial brunt. The dire consequences spiral into actual monetary costs that can prove disastrous for the concerned individual, the family and ultimately, the community. For those suffering from addictive gambling, only concerted efforts at long-term rehabilitation can effect permanent changes. This may include deaddiction programs like with Gamblers Anonymous, or a psychoanalytic treatment or straightforward counseling sessions.

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