First of two parts

     There is one kind of addiction that can tear families apart as dramatically as drug and alcohol abuse. I refer to gambling addiction. Gambling and games of chance are everywhere. Most people can gamble in a controlled way, but some among us cannot. They lose control and, in time, the addiction sets in and real trouble begins.

     The gambling addict is characterized by an inability to resist gambling, leading to severe personal and social consequences. Gambling becomes an obsession that cannot be controlled, much less stopped. It usually progresses from occasional to habitual gambling. The urge to gamble becomes so great that the tension can only be relieved by more gambling. Higher stakes and personal risks become involved, as well as neglect of other interests, family and work. Severe family problems, financial ruin and criminal behavior to support the habit may result.

     Most adult gambling addicts started gambling while still young. First, they were involved in innocent games of chance, but as time passed they got into the habit of taking more and greater risks. Many came from families where they witnessed various forms of gambling by family and relatives. Often, they were encouraged to join in just for fun. 

     The little bets got progressively greater until they became substantial. If the gambler had resources, he found himself squandering them. If he did not, he began using illegal means to get money to engage in gam-bling. He would steal from his family and even friends. If he was using drugs, he might push in order to have money to gamble. I know of some who would even go so far as to sell themselves in order to have the means to gamble.

     A finance executive of a large  multinational stole money from his company to feed his gambling addiction. He hoped to replace the funds he stole with his winnings, but his luck ran out and soon he was discovered and found himself facing a court case. The gambler is convinced that he can and will eventually win, so he keeps gambling expecting his luck to eventually carry the day. Almost always, it does not. Instead, he finds himself digging a deep hole for himself until there is no way out.

     This is when his world collapses all around him. His family is forced to pay his debts assuming they are in a position to do so. His kids suffer from his dissipated income. He might use his winnings to abuse women, thus further aggravating his family situation. Sooner or later, he finds himself in trouble because of unpaid debts and a family unwilling or unable to keep saving him from himself.

     He is now a compulsive gambler, hopelessly stuck with his addiction. He cannot stop and he cannot win consistently either. He is trapped.