Trigger Warning: Story contains accounts of domestic abuse and suicide attempts. Andy Gallie became a gambler at just nine years old when he won his first slot machine jackpot. What started out as a “harmless” game of Donkey Kong (a slot machine found in UK arcades back in the 80s and 90s) quickly became a …
“Fun” Beginnings At first, gambling was just ‘fun’—a night out with friends, a way to feel like I was ‘winning’ in a world where I didn’t always feel successful. “Wow, this is easy money!” I thought. Of course, that’s exactly what the casino wants you to believe. But what I didn’t realize was that the …
We feature an expert in the mental health and substance use disorder field to answer questions. This issue we talk to Dr. Timothy Fong of UCLA Gambling Studies Program. Q: What is your role at the UT Gambling Studies program and what inspired and led you to work on problem gambling? I’m a professor of …
Imagine walking into a living room filled with overturned furniture, strewn belongings and piled-up bills. A close-up shot reveals shards of glass surrounding a family photo. You look up to see an elephant standing before you, looming amid the ruins. This scene isn’t the aftermath of a break-in or a tornado. It’s the premise of …
When we think about gambling, we often picture seasoned adults at casino blackjack tables or perhaps cheering on horses at the track. However, an alarming trend is emerging, as young people are becoming increasingly at risk of developing gambling problems. The intersection of technology, the normalization of gambling in the media, and peer pressure are …
One of the challenges of addiction recovery is the risk of exchanging one dependence for another. Individuals in recovery from substance and alcohol abuse sometimes seek new highs in other activities, such as gambling. Providers and individuals within the recovery space stand to gain valuable insights by expanding their understanding of problem gambling — considering …
The following is an exclusive interview with a problem gambler, now in active recovery from his addiction. We want to thank Tim for his candor and willingness to share. Can you share a little bit about yourself? I grew up in Eagan to loving parents with 2 siblings. Like most boys growing up, I was …
The impacts of problem gambling can be devastating. And the effects of a gambling disorder are not only economic – it can lead to damaged relationships and high rates of substance abuse, depression, and suicide. In fact, studies show problem gambling has the highest rate of suicide of any addiction. That’s why it’s essential for …
When kids turned eighteen in Minnesota, a favorite way to highlight the occasion, especially in the early 2000’s, was with a night out at a nearby casino. They celebrated their milestone birthdays with all the exuberance of youth who’ve reached the legal age to participate in an adult activity. Most adults continue to enjoy occasional …
My higher power (God) has shown me the meaning of hope, of trust, and through his love, his forgiveness, and mercy, all the work you have done within recovery, you begin to transform yourself, flourish into a new life from the ashes of gambling addiction, learn to break free from gambling and begin a new …
