NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
The names of the characters are fictitious--but the stories are inspired by real life experiences. Some of the experiences are mine, and some experiences I have seen through friends and family members that also did not recognize the addiction before it ruined their lives.
PREFACE
One of the most pathological diseases that's epidemic today is gambling addiction. The disease is a silent destroyer of one's mind, values and families.
When we think of gamblers, we usually put the face on a man; therefore, women are unsuspected victims. Women who gamble heavily are a new phenomenon. But according to recent research, women are fast surpassing men as casino customers and make up a growing number of problem gamblers.
During the cable television show on A&E, which aired a show about women compulsive gamblers on February 23, 2009, it was noted that compulsive gambling among women is a growing problem. While ten years ago only 3 percent of compulsive gamblers were women, that number is 46 percent or higher today. In the United States, about 2 million adults (1%) meet the criteria for compulsive or pathological gambling in a given year, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). Another 4 to 6 million (2 to 3%) can be considered problem gamblers, defined as someone who meets one or more of the criteria and are experiencing problems because of their gambling behavior.
These women will neglect and or lose their children, husbands, homes and their jobs due to their gambling addiction. They will pawn their jewelry, car and anything of value. It is nothing for them to have 10 outstanding loans with the Pay Day Loan businesses.
This mind-controlling disease has no respect of person, it matters not the social and economic status. Gambling addiction is rapidly and silently destroying the lives of too many women and their families.
It is my hope that people will learn and recognize the signs and symptoms of a gambling addiction and encourage men and women alike to seek professional help before they ruin their life and the lives of their families.
INTRODUCTION
You don't know me...I am the grandmother, the mother, the daughter, the housewife, the real estate broker, the teacher, the doctor, the lawyer, the welfare recipient, the person living on a once a month pension, the person living from paycheck to paycheck.
I come in all shapes, forms, and colors. I have no social or economic boundaries. I am the gambling addict; I am you, haunted by an unrealistic dream caught up in the emotions of the moment living for the pain and pleasure of gambling.
In retrospect, I reflect on the first time I placed a bet, the rush, the joy, and the pain. Coming down from my high, reality sets in. I am broke so I try again to win. One night of gambling turns into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, and months into years. I am one paycheck from bankruptcy and one mortgage payment from homelessness. Unlike substance abuse, society accepts casinos, card clubs, bingo parlors, horse racing, sports betting, lottery, all of which contribute to the legalized gambling addiction.
Gambling is an addiction so crippling it takes away your identity. Something happens when you are in a gambling environment. You feel you'll never win enough. You tell yourself "If I can get back what I've lost, I'll leave". It never happens; you are hooked. You leave a loser. A sucker never wins and a loser never quits.
Seven casinos exist in the county of Los Angeles. There are Indian reservations in the desert area, cable TV poker tournaments, Internet gambling, and the news media advertise free poker lessons for the beginner.
Back in the day, gambling was a man's sport. Gambling has become a life sentence for the old and especially the younger generations of women. These women are losing their hard earned money, living in hotels with their children, turning to prostitution and some even contemplate suicide.
Many gamblers wonder how and why they lost everything that was important in their lives, their families, friends, integrity, sense of value and almost their minds. It is because gambling is a game of chance that has no certainty. There is no end to what you can win, but there is an end to what you can lose.
We pay the least amount of bills only to save a large amount of money to place another bet. We write checks to pay bills only to use the ATM to withdraw the funds for those checks that have not yet cleared the bank. We borrow money we cannot repay, consequently dodging people we owe.
We honestly believe we will win. We are always in denial.
Subconsciously, we enjoy the pleasure of winning and the pain of losing. Gambling is legal and accessible. This legal drug has the same consequences as illegal drugs; it will consume your life. It's an overwhelming addiction that has destructive effects. We really want to stop but our desires don't equal our passion.
You lie to yourself, and say you are going to quit. As soon as we get our hand on fresh money we think of a million reasons why we need to gamble. Gambling is like your non-dominant hand, we feel we need it, we can do without it, but we think we have to have it.
Sometimes change is so complex we cannot handle change alone; we need a higher power. Unless significant changes are made, we will never end the path of self-destruction, and the hole in our soul will never be fulfilled.
