Is it worth it?

My name is Amanda and I am an advocate for the family. I have seen many threats to the family and I want to make people more aware of what is going on and how we can make things better. Gambling is just one of the many perils tearing down the family. Unfortunately I have even seen it in my own family.


In America alone, problem gambling affects more than 15 million people. More than 3 million of these are considered severe problem gamblers, otherwise known as gambling addicts or pathological gamblers.(Joanna Saisan, MSW, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., Melinda Smith, M.A., and Lawrence Robinson 2011)


EFFECTS OF PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLING 
According to the The Journal of the American Medical Association (2001)
Some of the consequences of pathological gambling are:
• Financial problems that increase with time (losing money, borrowing money, debt)
• Problems with marriage, long-term relationships, and friendships  
• Loss of job or job opportunities
• Legal problems (stealing) 


Pathological gamblers also have high suicide rates and tend to drink alcohol and abuse drugs. They find themselves in an all time low when they lose all their money. They also feel a need and desire to win it all back and the cycle continues. 

Signs of problem gambling: (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010)

• Always thinking about gambling
• Lying about gambling
• Spending work or family time gambling
• Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting
• Gambling with money you need for other things

Gambling has a huge impact not only to the gambler but on their family members as well. Martha C. Shaw and her colleagues discovered that “pathological gambling contributes to chaos and dysfunction within the family unit, disrupts marriages, leading to high rates of separation and divorce, and is associated with child abuse and neglect."(Shaw, Martha C;) Feelings of trust are lost when lying and stealing start within the home. Pathological gamblers will do anything and everything to get money to gamble. Whether it's the mortgage or pawning family goods. Relationships and bonds are lost when someone is so consumed with betting and all their time is spent in casinos.  It is a horrible habit to stop. Yet it is possible. There are many programs, hot lines, even clinics to help those who struggle with gambling. The National Council on Problem Gambling is just one of the many organizations to combat this addiction. Other great aids include Gamblers Anonymous and the Help Guide just to name a couple. 


Not only are their progams for the gamblers themselves but for their family members as well. Gam-Anon is an organization to help the family members of those who are pathological gamblers. Gam-Anon's goal is to "provide a wealth of information about practical safeguards" when dealing with compulsive gamblers. They can be your support group. 

This is not just happening in America. Below is a short video that was made to educate the Singapore public on the ills of problem gambling. Know the Line is a movement to reinforce the dividing line between social and problem gambling.

If you yourself are having gambling issues don't wait until it's too late. You and your family deserve better. Click on the links I've provided and seek help now. For those of us who know someone with this problem we must love and support them. Let them know they can receive help. Lets try and build a community without the stress and despair of pathological gambling. If we work together we can pass laws and restrict gambling before it becomes a problem. Let us look towards a brighter future!