Quiz Asks About Gambling Habits

Dear Ann Landers: I’m Tom. I’m a compulsive gambler. Last December, I told my family that I would go into treatment when the new year began. I had gambled for about 40 years, since I was a teenager. I gambled on anything and everything and realized for several years that I had a problem but believed I could stop whenever I wanted. In the years I was out of control, I managed to lose the trust of my family and friends, maxed out credit cards and borrowed from credit unions, loan companies and my retirement fund. It finally affected my health because of worries over my job and the turmoil at home.

I heard about Gamblers Anonymous earlier this year and decided it could be the answer for me. Just being with people who had the same problem made me feel better. Now I know that gamblers like me have a sickness. It’s something they can overcome, but they need a lot of help. I have found my help at GA.

Things are slowly beginning to turn around. My finances are becoming manageable for the first time in years, and I can now sleep at night. My blood pressure and diabetes are under control. I realize that I will always have to be on my guard and will have to work hard to regain the respect of the people I love. I am following the program one day at a time. It is very challenging, but I have put my trust in a higher power, and I’m sure I will succeed.

Here is a quiz to find out if you are a compulsive gambler:

Have you ever lost time from work or school due to gambling?

Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?

Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?

Have you ever gambled to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

After losing, have you felt you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?

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

Do you often gamble until your last dollar is gone?

Have you ever borrowed to finance your gambling?

Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?

Have you ever been reluctant to use “gambling money” for normal expenditures?

Has gambling made you careless of the welfare of yourself and your family?

Have you ever committed or considered committing an illegal act to finance gambling?

Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you the urge to gamble?

Have you ever had an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

Have you ever considered self-destruction as a result of your gambling?

Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to more than half of these questions.

Remember this is a hidden compulsion, not like drugs and alcohol, where the symptoms are visible. For the nearest Gamblers Anonymous group, consult your local telephone directory, or write Gamblers Anonymous, P.O. Box 17173, Los Angeles, Calif. 90017 (Internet: www.gamblersanonymous.org). GA celebrated its 40th anniversary Sept. 13. - Just Tom

Dear Tom: You’ve written a letter that could save lives. Thank you on behalf of all the people you helped today.