Gambling Addiction
Picture this situation: A man who is having problems at home and is low on cash decides to go to a casino and try his luck. He places small bets at first, wins a few times, and feels great. Eventually the risk becomes too little for him, and he begins to bet more. He begins losing the bigger bets and soon loses all of his money. He is trapped in an emotional rut as he remembers the great feeling he got from winning, and begins borrowing money to try to cover his debts. His gambling accelerates to a frenzied pace, while he continuously denies the severity of his problem. He believes that just one huge win will solve all of his problems. Meanwhile he loses his wife who does not trust him anymore. His habit eventually becomes the focal point of his life. Now I'm not saying gambling is wrong, I enjoy it as a small-time hobby, but I think of it as entertainment only. You can't expect to win every time you gamble. I've even felt trapped in a rut similar to the man in the story above, where I thought I could win all my money back, and it never happened. It was then that I realized gambling should be done strictly for entertainment. Habitual gambling, or gambling addiction, is a danger to the public
Problem gambling behavior results in negative consequences including family problems, peer relationship troubles, legal and money troubles, anxiety, and moodiness. Family problems come from the fact that dangerous gamblers are always asking for money from friends and family, staying out late, and lying to their significant other about money issues. This puts a strain on family relations to the point where the gambler can no longer be trusted at home. Peer relationships suffer in the same way. Friends and peers can no longer trust a problem gambler, and moodiness from debt makes relationships worse. Disorders: A Quantitative Synthesis and Guide Toward Standard Gambling Nomenclature. Journal of Gambling Studies 12 1996: 193-214.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Gambling America, I'm America, Addiction Picture, Gambling Studies, College Students, gambling addiction, gambling addicts, Svendsen Roger, reasons gambling, legal money troubles, people argue, cover debts, money troubles, habitual gambling, daily life, dangerous public, legal money,
Approximate Word count = 941
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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