Image by doug88888 via Flickr
The thrill is exhilarating; spin the wheel, show your hand, and you may reap much more than you sowed. That word may is a small but powerful provision that looms over every game of chance, overseeing the outcome of the game and the money you staked. Most gamblers leave the house happy or disappointed; either way, it was all for fun, and they knew when to call it quits. Do you know when to cash in? Or has the thrill of the win become more than just a game?
What Are the Odds?
Statistically speaking, approximately 2% to 5% of Americans are compulsive gamblers. That may seem like an insignificant amount, but it equals millions of people so consumed with games of chance they’ve developed an addiction as serious as alcohol or drug addiction.
- The average divorce rate or compulsive gamblers is doubled compared to non-compulsive gamblers.
- One in five compulsive gamblers attempt suicide, which means the compulsive gambler’s suicide rate is twenty times higher than a non-compulsive gambler’s.
- The average amount of debt accumulated in a year by a compulsive gambler is $50,000 to $90,000.
- Sixty-five percent of compulsive gamblers will commit a crime to support their addiction.
The Compulsive Gambler
Are you a compulsive gambler? The first step in fixing a problem is recognizing that there is one. If you’re:
- Consumed with thoughts of gambling;
- Neglect work, responsibilities, or relationships;
- Gamble to win back lost money;
- Seek money from others for gambling;
- Become irritable when not gambling;
It could be you. Don’t gamble with your future or your relationships; seek guidance before you become a tragic statistic. Win back your freedom from addiction.
