Ellen Rohr: Has Gambling become a Problem? – OzarksFirst.com

Ellen Rohr is back on KOLR10 Daybreak to talk about problem gambling - how you can recognize it, avoid it and get help for it.

Hey, it's fun to head off to the casino and roll the dice, right? You can budget a few dollars, or twenty, or a hundred. That could be the investment in an evening of entertainment. However, the enjoyment can turn to big problems. When does harmless gambling tip into life-devastating addiction? And what can you do about it? How can you help someone else?

* The form it takes

o Sure, going to the casino counts as gambling. What about online poker or fantasy football betting? How about lottery tickets?

* The 20 Questions of GA - Gamblers Anonymous. Check out http://www.gamblersanonymous.org Here are a few

* Has gambling caused you to miss work or school?

* Has gambling made your home life unhappy?

* After a big loss, do you feel like you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

* After a win, do you have a strong urge to return and win more?

* Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?

* Do you ever gamble longer than you had planned?

o The Financial Effect

* Of course, loss of home, job, and relationships.

* You can go to less than zero really fast.

* Lie, cheat, steal to make ends meet.

* Pay Day loansscary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payday_loans_in_the_United_States Prop: Hand for Shark Fin

* Scarier stillloan sharks! You can report a loan shark however! https://www.quora.com/If-you-get-a-loan-from-a-loan-shark-will-reporting-them-to-police-absolve-you-from-the-need-to-repay-this-loan

o Protecting yourself from a Gambling Addict

* Gam - Anon is a good place to start if you are trying to change someone else. Mind your own hula hoop.

* Lying is a symptom of the disease.

* Lecturing probably won't help.

* It's OK to tell others. Let them know not to loan the addict money.

* Separate yourself from their credit cards, bank accounts, and

create your own. Don't share the pins or passwords. Prop: Checkbook

* If they have stopped gambling, you may work out financial rebuilding steps together. Only then.

* Lay claim to your financial power. Learn how to create, read and use financial reports. Prop: No Whining!

* Getting out of the financial hole requires "rigorous honesty". Getting out of the financial hole requires "Rigorous honesty."

o Addiction is #1 health crisis. These tips will help you confront and address the addictive challenges in your life, or in your family or community.

* What about cutting back? Try that. If you or they are gambling as much as ever, there is your answer. It is a progressive disease.

* 12 Step Programs workif you work them. It's a community of love, acceptance, surrender, responsibility.

* There are a lot of snappy quips from the 12 Step crowd. There's even a book called, "101 Common Cliches of AA". The subtitle is "The Sayings Newcomers Hate and Oldtimers Love".

More:

Ellen Rohr: Has Gambling become a Problem? - OzarksFirst.com