A
compulsive gambler who participated in Gamblers
Anonymous program shared his recovery in hopes to help
others affected by this addiction.
Sean was
an above average student in high school. He played
sports, volunteered at the local soup kitchen on
holidays and had a high school sweetheart that he
married soon after graduating. He went onto college and
received his degree. Five years after graduating
college he already had two kids and a beautiful home.
He was living the American dream. Everything was going
perfect in life. Then one day the local news broad cast
the grand opening of a gambling establishment. The news
reporter hailed it as a big boost for the local
economy. Little did Sean know that this new place was
going to cost him his life savings and more.
The local
excitement generated by the opening stimulated the
public’s curiosity. Most people have never really been
exposed to gambling and the affects it can have on you.
The local news stated that there were going to be just
as many stars at the opening as there were at the
Academy Awards. Everyone wanted to go and check it
out. Besides gambling they have various types of
entertainment, unique shopping, first class
accommodations and top quality food. Sean called his
friends to go and everyone said yes.
Sean had
the time of his life. He was one of the lucky ones he
won $500.00 and everyone else either broke even or lost
their money. They all agreed they had a fantastic night
and could not wait to do it again. They all decided
that they should go every Friday night. It was time for
them to get out of the house and take a break from the
kids. Everyone found a babysitter and off they went.
For the
next six months Sean, his wife and friends spent Friday
nights dancing, eating and gambling. Everyone thought
this was the life. They all had good jobs and no
financial problems. Sean was on a hot streak. His
first game of choice was poker. His wife really did not
like to gamble but she like the shops and
entertainment. While Sean gambled his wife went to the
shows and shopped till she dropped. She thought
everything was fine. Sean would hand her $200.00 he
said he just won and told her to treat herself to
something special at the stores. Little did everyone
know that Sean’s $500.00 gambling limit was up to
$1,500.00 a week. His friends also did not realize that
he was losing. He would run to the cash machine at the
end of the night and made people to believe he either
won or broke even. He was always an honest guy, there
was no reason anyone would suspect that he was lying.
A year
had passed and Sean had lost over $15,000.00. The wife
had no idea, but Sean was beginning to have doubts about
the gambling establishment, but could not stop. He
remembers one day he called in sick from work and
decided to spend the day gambling. He was sure he could
win back all the money he lost. He took $5000.00 out of
the bank and lost it all that same day. He was upset
with no where to turn.
Another
year past and he lost even more money. All of sudden
his world was crumbling with no where to turn. He
thought about committing suicide by making it look like
an accident so his life insurance would take care of his
family. He was in so much pain and no one knew. He
wanted this madness to stop. He knew his wife knew
nothing about his addiction, but knew she was going to
find out shortly since he maxed out the credit cards and
gambled his mortgage payment.
Sean’s
job began to suffer because he was always preoccupied
with placing his next bet. He began to isolate
himself. He stopped going to lunch with his
co-workers. No one questioned why or I should say no
one took the time to find out why.
His wife
was called by their mortgage company telling her that
they did not get their March payment. She called Sean
at work and he old her the check must have gotten lost
in the mail. He began to panic, became very resourceful
and found a way to cover the mortgage. Another two
months went by and he finally had to tell his wife. She
was stunned in disbelief. She basically told him to get
help or get out.
