Gambling Away the Golden Years
Compulsive Gambling and New Jersey's Senior Citizens
The Problem
During 1991, 10% of the callers to the 1-800-GAMBLER© HOTLINE were over the age of 55.
GAMBLING by senior citizens has surged in New Jersey and other states that have legalized and glamorized various forms of wagering from state lotteries, playing the horses, to casino gambling.
Older New Jersey residents may gamble to excess after the death of a spouse or after retiring and losing the sense of worth they felt when they were working. They may have outlived many friends and family members or be separated by large geographical distances from children.
Senior citizens grew up in an era of different influences and values. Their life experiences are broader and their concerns are different from those of other age groups. However, the reasons for gambling are generally similar, regardless of age.
The Older Gambler
"When my wife died, I was very lonely, I never gambled much until I lost Margaret. Now I gamble every day and I couldn't think of one day of life without gambling." (Bill, 58 Compulsive Gambler)
"My only enjoyment is playing bingo and taking the free bus trips to Atlantic City. I love the people and the excitement and I don't want to stop even though I know I am losing more than I can afford." (Kathleen, 70)
"My gambling at the racetrack got so bad, I called the 1-800-GAMBLER© HOTLINE number listed in the racing program. I am now a recovering compulsive gambler in Gamblers Anonymous." (Irwin, 61)
The Illness
In 1980, the American Psychiatric Association accepted pathological (compulsive) gambling as a "disorder of impulse control." Older compulsive gamblers are driven to gamble in the same way that an alcoholic needs a periodic drink or a drug addict needs a "fix."
The Progression of the Illness
According to Robert L. Custer, M.D. compulsive gambling has three phases: the winning phase, the losing phase and the desperation phase.
The Search for Action or the Winning Phase
The gambling wins enhance self-image and ego. Losses are rationalized as bad luck. A senior citizen may daydream about gambling to escape reality and think that gambling is his or her most exciting activity. Many hours are often spent involved in gambling activities.
The Chase or Losing Phase
As losses increase and self-esteem is jeopardized, the older gambler will borrow money to get even and continue to bet. Lies to family, spouses or friends escalate. Selling of prized possessions or even mortgaging their free and clear property may occur to cover increasing bets.
Other common danger signals include a withdrawal from family, friends or other social events due to gambling activities.
The Desperation Phase or Rock Bottom
Desperation occurs as the gambler becomes obsessed with getting even to cover money lost through gambling.
The older gambler can experience severe mood swings, fail in health and commit crimes such as shoplifting, stealing from spouses or other family members to gamble.
Panic sets in at the thought that the gambling action will cease and at this point, nothing or no one comes before a bet. Suicidal thoughts are considered as a way out.
Do you have a gambling problem?
Gamblers Anonymous has twenty questions which it asks new members. Compulsive gamblers usually answer yes to at least seven of the twenty questions:
1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or to otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing, did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless about the welfare of yourself and your family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty steeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of your gambling?
© Gamblers Anonymous
Help is Available-Call Toll Free
The Council on Complusive Gambling of New Jersey Gambling Hotline:
1-800-GAMBLER© or (609)-588-5515
Services Provided by the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey
Public Education
Includes seminars, continuing education in- services, and conferences for New jersey corporations, governmental agencies, mental health professionals, educators, and employee assistance personnel.
Professional Training
Provide knowledge and advanced skill training in the areas of assessment, diagnosis, treatment objectives, dual addictions, legal implications and aftercare.
Prevention Programming
Emphasis on adolescents and senior citizens.
Information Clearing House
TOLL FREE HELPLINE SERVICE:
1-800-GAMBLER©
Treatment Programming
Facilitate development of and provide information and referral to compulsive gamblers and their families.
Legislative and Public Policy Consultation
Maintain coordination and liaison with state officials, professional associations and educational institutions to keep current developments in the field of gambling identification, prevention or treatment, and to periodically review, modify, update and improve current standards of competence, skills and knowledge.
The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. is a statewide, private non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation. Help is Available, Call: The Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, Inc. (609) 588-5515 x10 or 1-800-GAMBLER©
