Lake Worth, FL

Friday, May 25, 2012

When is Society going to look at Gambling Addiction like the look at other addictions ?

"I have been fighting for this issue for over 44 years"

Arnie Wexler CCGC

Compulsive gambling is a recognized addiction, like alcoholism and chemical dependency

.Yet we treat compulsive gambling differently. Society treats people with chemical dependency and alcoholism as sick people, send them to treatment and they get back to work after treatment . But they look at compulsive gamblers as bad people and they get barred from playing in professional sports, Working in some jobs, And treated different in court cases then other addicts

DSM-IV Criteria: Pathological Gambling

A. Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behaviour as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

is preoccupied with gambling (e.g. preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)

needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement

has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling

is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling

gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g. feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)

after losing money gambling, often returns another day to get even ("chasing" one's losses)

lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling

has committed illegal acts such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement to finance gambling

has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling

relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling

With all the gambling going on today It seems like its about time we understood the gambling addiction and got society to get educated about this addiction. We need to have real Education programs in the Schools,Colleges,Work force, and Judicial system.

FOR HELP WITH A GAMBLING PROBLEM CALL (1-888-LAST BET).

Education and early detection can make a difference for some people and save there lives.

Today not only do we have more active compulsive gamblers, then in any other time in our history but we have states addicted to the gambling revenue also.

Arnie Wexler one of the foremost experts on the subject of compulsive gambling, and has been involved in helping compulsive gamblers for over 44 years. He has appeared on many of America's top television show, including Oprah, Nightline and 48 Hours,60 Minutes He has been quoted and profiled in hundreds of magazines and newspapers..

Arnie Wexler is a certified compulsive gambling counselor (CCGC) and was the Executive Director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey for eight years. He currently works with his wife, Sheila. They run a consulting firm: Arnie and Sheila Wexler Associates. They present workshops and seminars on the subject of Compulsive Gambling Addiction internationally.

They run a national hot line for problem gamblers: 888-LAST BET

Wexler received the Herman Goldman Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling, Inc., 1991.

And the Robert L. Custer award from NCPG 2004

In 1984 Presidential Award for Community Service, presented by President Ronald Regan.

If you want to talk to Arnie about this subject

Get to him at 561 2490922 or his cell 954 5015270

ARNIE WEXLERCCGC

LAKE WORTH FL

Arnie Wexler

Arnie & Sheila Wexler Associates

Lake Worth, FL

561-249-0922 CELL 954 5015270