Gambling treatment and recovery programs are now a click away. With the ever expanding internet you can almost find anything you are looking for through the search engines.
There are a number of websites that have popped up over the past few years that deal directly with gambling addiction. These site have created various programs that may help the compulsive gambler beat there addiction. There are even websites that are available to help family and friends of the compulsive gambler.
There are times where compulsive gamblers looking for help finally find a website that peaks there interest. At this point they are hopeful but pessimistic that this is really going to help them.
Compulsive Gamblers are unique individuals who have lost trust in people and humanity. This happens as they fall deep into the grips of their addiction. As they begin to realize what they have done they continue their distrust, may become arrogant and or misunderstand simple concepts. As they begin to surf the web they continue their distrust and sometimes even take it out on the people that are trying to help them. The following is a few examples of emails from compulsive gamblers sent to stop gambling websites:
Hello can you email me back so I know if this is an automated response or a real live person?
I received confirmation for the chat room. The fees states 19.95 per year. Is there going to be a monthly recurring fee?
I paid $24.95 for your manual. I have not received the book yet. You are supposed to email it to me. This email came in ten minutes after the person ordered it. They then followed up ten minutes later with, are you a real company or did you rip me off. Then they send a third email. It’s been a half hour where the ______ is my manual. The owner of the site emailed the manual forty five minutes after the order was received. The person wrote and explained that it clearly states the manual will be mailed with in one hour after you place your order. The website Help To Stop Gambling Addiction understood what was going on and took the time to help the person realize that they were not out to rip them off but to help them. The compulsive gambler apologized for their abusive behavior and is now in recovery thanks to the website.
Why are you charging a fee to help people that have an addiction?
How could you charge $19.95 per year for your chat room? The website emailed back the compulsive gambler and asked them how much did you lose last week gambling? The gambler replied $750.00. The website emails the person and asks a simple question. How could you throw away $750.00 last week but are not willing to invest $19.95 in yourself that will give you a peace of mind and someone to listen to you seven days a week for a year? Then the website asked what did you get for the $750.00 you lost last week? I am pleased to say this person to is now in recovery.
When dealing with an individual with a gambling addiction, you have to reach out into their world and draw them into a healthier way of living. I believe compulsive gamblers have a greater chance of treatment and recovery if they can relate to the individuals who are helping them.
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
