| Show Lure of Feeling jf Lucky Luc tE bE The Human Side SideBy y a aBy By Diane Cashel Director Drug Alcohol Education i Students who are headed for success success success suc suc- suc- suc cess in life may be among the most vulnerable to becoming a compulsive who have t f gamblers Psychologists researched gambling say that those who become compulsive gamblers tend to be intelligent working hard-working energetic competitive risk These are the characteristics that could lead to successful entrepreneurship entrepreneurship entrepreneurship and successful employment But if that person also suffers from low self-esteem self emotional immaturity immaturity immaturity rity and has an unstable family life he or she may be vulnerable when it comes to the lure of gambling Henry chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Illinois State University headed a apanel apanel panel that in 1991 published the only widespread study of gambling among college students The study with surveys at six schools in five states concluded that percent 23 of the sur sur- sur- sur students gambled at least once a week He reports that 55 percent of American college students are pathological gamblers This is compared compared compared com com- pared to percent l of the adults who are pathological gamblers and 4 to percent 6 of cl children aged 17 12 who have the problem For most people gambling is a neutral recreation But for a smaller number it is a life- life threatening addiction The cost of pathological gambling to the individual can be very l high gh It Itcan Itcan Itcan can cause indebtedness disrupted and deteriorating relationships with family and friends The cost to the family includes emotional turmoil stress related diseases neglect lack of financial support and divorce The cost to society involves lost worker productivity moneys stolen or embezzled unpaid taxes bankruptcies bankrupt bankrupt- cies and substantial costs to the criminal justice system Gambling has more complete and more dramatic impact on the thinking process and other addictions Pathological gamblers' gamblers statistics logic goes out the window as they chase the big win Pathological gambling is a progressive progressive progressive pro pro- behavior disorder in which an individual has a psychologically uncontrollable preoccupation and urge to gamble This results in excessive gambling the outcome of which is the loss loss' of time and money The gambling reaches the point at which it compromises disrupts or destroys the gamblers gambler's personal life family relationships or educational pursuits Here arc are some basic questions to ask yourself if you think you may have a problem Do you often daydream daydream daydream day day- dream about gambling Have you ever stayed away from school or work to gamble Do you borrow money to gamble Answering yes to any of these questions may signal that your gambling gambling gambling gam gam- bling could be getting out of hand If you have more questions please call Diane Cashel Director of the Drug Alcohol Education Program at or if you want to attend a step 12 meeting or gain more information information information mation about gambling disorders please call calI the Salt Lake Gamblers Anonymous at The Social Worker at may also be able to refer you to professionals in the ty |
