The Strange Power of Gambling

Over many years’ work in drug and alcohol treatment, I’ve seen my share of men and women come in with both chemical dependency and gambling addictions. We don’t treat compulsive gambling specifically at Serenity Lane, but we do understand their stories. The suffering they – and those around them – experience can be truly heartbreaking.

Like addicts, problem gamblers start with a little bit. Then, over time, they experience the same progressive loss of control as any alcoholic or drug addict. They start “using” regularly – then keep going as losses mounted.

 

The Problem That Says It’s Not A Problem

In my travels around the state, talking to employers and families of people with drug and alcohol problems, I regularly hear certain questions.

“Why does he keep doing such destructive things?” they might ask. Or, “She’s lost so much already – how does this make sense?” Or simply, “What was he thinking?” There is real frustration and bewilderment in each question.

What I try to help them understand is this: the person they care about has an illness that, unlike other diseases, completely distorts the thinking process itself.

 

You Don’t Have to Be Worried Sick Anymore

Of all the mysteries surrounding chemical dependency, one of the most baffling is the one we call “codependency” – the tendency of important people in the lives of addicts and alcoholics to deny, accept or even assist in patterns of substance abuse.

At treatment centers, we see this every day. Men and women, otherwise functional in the other areas of their lives, who, when it comes to the alcoholic/addict they care about, put aside any reasonable expectations of behavior on the part of their spouses or partners.

 

Infographic: Prescription Painkiller Epidemic from Origins Recovery

When we use the term epidemic, we are not being melodramatic. Please take a look at this, especially your teens.

“According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) prescription drugs have quickly become the nations most misused drug. In this infographic we’ve compiled some telling facts regarding the rates of prescription drug overdose in the United States. We also examine where drug abusers are getting prescription painkillers and which states have the highest drug overdose rates. The creation of new drug treatment and prevention programs is more important than ever. “

Infographic authored by Origins Recovery Centers. To view the original post, check out the original

 

January 26, 2013

We live in a time when it’s common to predict our risk for developing serious illnesses. Women take tests for a “breast cancer gene.” Our ratio of “good” to “bad” cholesterol indicates our likelihood of heart disease. Our family history suggests whether or not we might develop diabetes.

In all of these areas, and many more, awareness of our personal risk factors helps us take better care of ourselves. We can keep an eye out for symptoms, change risky behaviors, even prevent some diseases before they occur.

This is clearly true for chemical dependency as well. While no factor is an absolute predictor that a person will become addicted, certain factors do indicate – some strongly – a predisposition towards the disease.

The most important? Alcoholism or addiction in the family.

 

December 20, 2012

When this time of year comes around, many people think about changes they’d like to make. We take stock of things about ourselves that could improve, and think something like, “I’m finally going to do it.”

It’s very common. Unfortunately, disappointment is, too.

On the surface, it doesn’t make sense. The changes we hope for would be good for us and all concerned. We really would like to make them. Yet we find it difficult. Why?

 

November 26, 2012

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, we’re into the holiday season. It’s a time of year when stress goes off the charts.

Luckily, there are some simple techniques that can really help. At treatment centers like Serenity Lane, we teach them to recovering people to help them get through the holidays clean and sober. They’ll work for anybody, recovering or not.

It all starts with thanksgiving – the holiday, sure, but also the action and the attitude.

 

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