September 7, 2005 the police were called to a home in small country town because a woman was found dead. The first reports revealed she was murdered. After a short investigation they realized she had taken her own life. It was a sad day for the family and friends.
The family made the choice not to disclose why she took her life but to remember her for the wonderful person she was. A friend of the family called me to share what was going on. She told me she committed suicide because she had mounting debt, a marriage that was crumbling and could not continue her self destructive behavior. All three related to her gambling addiction. I was surprised to hear that no one will ever be told the truth that gambling addiction was the reason she took her life. The newspapers two days later printed a small article on one of the back pages stating it was not a murder but a suicide.
People take their lives for many reasons. Statistics have shown that a person with a gambling addiction takes their life two times as much as any other addiction. I believe the statistics are even higher. As in this situation there is no recorded documentation that this person ever had a gambling addiction. I spoke to a few people and no one ever knew she like to gamble. Her closest friends and family knew but they did not know how to help her. They treated her addiction as if she had a common cold. They believed eventually it would go away. Even though the family hopes this never happens to anyone else, they refuse to come forward and admit the truth.
It’s now apparent that family and friends of compulsive gamblers need to take an active role and help their loved ones.
There are so many wonderful companies on the internet that can help people deal with their family member or friend who has a gambling addiction.
People need to face reality and deal with this addiction head on before it’s too late. Death is a difficult subject to face. I hope more people take the time to help their family over come their addiction rather then keeping it hidden from the rest of the world as they watch their loved one slowly deteriorate.
There are great self help books and informational websites that can put you in the right direction. A small amount of time and effort can have amazing results.
Mr. Howard Keith has an extensive background in dealing with compulsive gamblers, relatives and friends of gamblers and teenage gamblers.
Mr. Keith believes there are many alternatives to aid in the recovery of a gambling addiction verses a twelve step program. A large percentage of his emails were from compulsive gamblers looking for an alternative to Gamblers Anonymous and twelve step programs. Gamblers Anonymous also helps a significant number of people each year but there is a large percentage that they are unable to reach.
For more information on gambling addiction and stop gambling you can check out I Stopped Gambling So Can You
