Playing the Slots When gambling becomes a problem
A game of chance, a roll of the dice, a twist of the roulette wheel and even a pull on a trigger are all situations that induce a euphoric sensation based on the element of the unknown. By Belinda Callin, The Telescope 3/8/10
A game of chance, a roll of the dice, a twist
of the roulette wheel and even a pull on a trigger are all situations
that induce a euphoric sensation based on the element of the unknown.
Fifteen million people display some form of gambling addiction, according to overcominggambling.com.
Just like drug-induced euphoria, gambling can become an addiction. Pala, Harrah's and Viejas are just a few of the casinos Palomar students can easily visit on a night out. With the problem so close to home, students may be surprised to find that what's referred to as problem gambling is just now beginning to be nationally recognized as a treatable mental illness.
Gidi Jarmon, a Palomar graduate with two associate's degrees and a certificate in psychology, said gambling is just like any other addiction.
She is currently in the Addiction and Other Drug Studies class, and said the class deals with all kinds of addiction including gambling, sexual and religious addictions.
"It's the rush you get when you give the machine that first $5," Jarmon said. "Then when you pull that hand and you win $20, you get excited.
"People lose their paychecks, people lose their cars, people lose their homes," she said. "Nothing is more important to me than the roof over my head."
National Problem Gambling Week is March 7 through 13 and is sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators.
"The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally," states the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week Web site.
Shaw Miles, a political science student, went to Pauma Casino with his friends. He won $200 with a $20 start.
"Hell yeah, I liked it," Miles said. "It's free money."
Like Miles, some gamblers may be lucky enough to leave the casino with a lead. But the fact remains that gambling companies are profiting, and they are getting that money from somewhere. Gambling and lottery profits bring in more than $47 billion dollars annually, according to overcominggambling.com
.
Problem gambling occurs when an individual participates in any form of gambling despite negative consequences to themselves, friends and families.
Problem gambling has previously been classified as a problem with impulse control. However, the fifth edition of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) will classify problem gambling with other substance-related disorders. The gambling category also includes internet addiction, according to the American Psychiatric Association Web site.
Voices of Recovery, found at npgaw.org, gives personal accounts of recovered problem gamblers. Warren Biller, a Cornell Graduate shares his story as part of his own recovery.
"The years between ages 20 and 50 were a journey through the dark side," Biller said.
"I don't believe I had any significant genetic pre-disposition to gambling," he said. "I did, however, tend toward activities that created excitement and, of course, gambling was an ideal venue."
"I graduated [from Cornell] in four years with a BS in Economics (accounting major)," Biller said. "Math was easy and I could figure the odds quicker than most."
"As I have learned, math skills and logical insight are not perfect defenses against irrational gambling behavior," he continued. "My acquired thinking allowed me to believe that I was smart enough to overcome the mathematical odds."
Biller spent 21 years seeking help through therapy and group meetings. He is now a member of Gamblers Anonymous and attends regular meetings. Through actual accounts of members, problem gamblers may identify and begin to seek the help they need to set their lives back on a productive and financially secure track.
Some casinos recognize that gambling can become detrimental, and have offered ways to help.
In 2007, Viejas Casino became the first casino in the nation to be certified as a responsible gambling facility, according to the Viejas Casino Web site.
The certification, provided by the California Council on Problem Gambling, requires the casino to train its employees in responsible gambling and to have gambling help information available to casino customers.
"A vast majority of customers visit our casino, enjoy the games, food and entertainment and have a wonderful time," said Viejas tribal chairman Bobby L. Barrett, the only tribal Chairman ever to be certified in responsible gambling.
"But for those few who develop a problem, we are well prepared to direct them to assistance," Barrett said in a press release at the time of the certification.
If you or someone you know may need help with a gambling problem, visit gamblersanonymous.org.
Fifteen million people display some form of gambling addiction, according to overcominggambling.com.
Just like drug-induced euphoria, gambling can become an addiction. Pala, Harrah's and Viejas are just a few of the casinos Palomar students can easily visit on a night out. With the problem so close to home, students may be surprised to find that what's referred to as problem gambling is just now beginning to be nationally recognized as a treatable mental illness.
Gidi Jarmon, a Palomar graduate with two associate's degrees and a certificate in psychology, said gambling is just like any other addiction.
She is currently in the Addiction and Other Drug Studies class, and said the class deals with all kinds of addiction including gambling, sexual and religious addictions.
"It's the rush you get when you give the machine that first $5," Jarmon said. "Then when you pull that hand and you win $20, you get excited.
"People lose their paychecks, people lose their cars, people lose their homes," she said. "Nothing is more important to me than the roof over my head."
National Problem Gambling Week is March 7 through 13 and is sponsored by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the Association of Problem Gambling Service Administrators.
"The goal of this campaign is to educate the general public and health care professionals about the warning signs of problem gambling and raise awareness about the help that is available both locally and nationally," states the National Problem Gambling Awareness Week Web site.
Shaw Miles, a political science student, went to Pauma Casino with his friends. He won $200 with a $20 start.
"Hell yeah, I liked it," Miles said. "It's free money."
Like Miles, some gamblers may be lucky enough to leave the casino with a lead. But the fact remains that gambling companies are profiting, and they are getting that money from somewhere. Gambling and lottery profits bring in more than $47 billion dollars annually, according to overcominggambling.com
.
Problem gambling occurs when an individual participates in any form of gambling despite negative consequences to themselves, friends and families.
Problem gambling has previously been classified as a problem with impulse control. However, the fifth edition of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-5) will classify problem gambling with other substance-related disorders. The gambling category also includes internet addiction, according to the American Psychiatric Association Web site.
Voices of Recovery, found at npgaw.org, gives personal accounts of recovered problem gamblers. Warren Biller, a Cornell Graduate shares his story as part of his own recovery.
"The years between ages 20 and 50 were a journey through the dark side," Biller said.
"I don't believe I had any significant genetic pre-disposition to gambling," he said. "I did, however, tend toward activities that created excitement and, of course, gambling was an ideal venue."
"I graduated [from Cornell] in four years with a BS in Economics (accounting major)," Biller said. "Math was easy and I could figure the odds quicker than most."
"As I have learned, math skills and logical insight are not perfect defenses against irrational gambling behavior," he continued. "My acquired thinking allowed me to believe that I was smart enough to overcome the mathematical odds."
Biller spent 21 years seeking help through therapy and group meetings. He is now a member of Gamblers Anonymous and attends regular meetings. Through actual accounts of members, problem gamblers may identify and begin to seek the help they need to set their lives back on a productive and financially secure track.
Some casinos recognize that gambling can become detrimental, and have offered ways to help.
In 2007, Viejas Casino became the first casino in the nation to be certified as a responsible gambling facility, according to the Viejas Casino Web site.
The certification, provided by the California Council on Problem Gambling, requires the casino to train its employees in responsible gambling and to have gambling help information available to casino customers.
"A vast majority of customers visit our casino, enjoy the games, food and entertainment and have a wonderful time," said Viejas tribal chairman Bobby L. Barrett, the only tribal Chairman ever to be certified in responsible gambling.
"But for those few who develop a problem, we are well prepared to direct them to assistance," Barrett said in a press release at the time of the certification.
If you or someone you know may need help with a gambling problem, visit gamblersanonymous.org.