By Veronica Nguyen
When we hear the word “addiction,” drugs and alcohol normally come to mind. Sometimes, it could also mean minor categories such as video games, or social media.
My father, who struggled with his gambling addiction in the past wouldn’t compare it to being addicted to any other addiction.
Addiction can be an extensive list, but the most common one would be drugs and alcohol. They share similarities, yet differences at the same time.
According to www.alcoholrehabguide.org, the underlying reactions that are triggered in the brain when someone consumes alcohol are similar to when someone gambles. In fact, the brain will release dopamine after someone gambles, the same process that happens in addictive drugs.
The feeling that uplifts you when you have a cup of alcohol in your hand or drugs soon to be in your system have different effects than gambling.
My father, states, “There’s a difference between a gambling addiction and drugs/alcohol. Someone who is addicted to drugs and alcohol can harm themselves physically as to where gambling messes up your mentality.”
Even before I was born, gambling was already a part of my dad’s life.
At around the age of 2 or 3, I noticed I spent more time at my grandma’s house than with my dad. due to the fact that my dad worked long nights. Sooner or later, I found out that his nights weren’t just consisting of work but also nights at the casino.
It soon became to take an effect on me because I noticed my dad was struggling financially and becoming distant. We were stuck in a little apartment and most of the money my dad was gaining from work was lost during nights of gambling.
My parents eventually split because of my dad’s gambling addiction. It was hard to witness my dad be consumed with both alcohol and gambling. I no longer felt close to my parents, my mom had just left and my dad was dealing with his addiction.
My family would criticize my dad’s flaws, such as how he chose to lean towards alcohol to cope with his gambling issues. I thought my best friend was my dad, but alcohol was his.
There would be things said such as, “You have a daughter, don’t do this to her,” and “You need to get yourself together. This is unhealthy for you.”
When you’re deep into an addiction, words of encouragement to stop don’t mean anything to you since your temptation is already high as it is.
My dad states, “I wasn’t just hurting myself, but I was hurting the people around me. Every time I would hear one of my family members say, ‘You need to stop,’ I didn’t care.”
According to www.helpguide.org, there are two major types of gambling: pathological and compulsive.
Pathological gambling results in an individual not being able to resist the drive and temptation to gamble. Gambling is on your mind the majority of the time and it’s a good distraction to you.
Compulsive gambling is when one can’t control the impulse to gamble. Regardless of whether you’re up/down, broke/flushed, gambling is your sense of happiness.
At some point, I believe my dad was a compulsive gambler.
At the start of my dad’s interest for gambling, it was all fun and games. The fun transformed into him losing his car, house and money to secure himself.
Having a kid is a lot of responsibilities and requirements, so he knew he had to take the role of being a parent when I came along.
When asked if my dad ever receives the temptation to gamble again, he responded, “I don’t feel the temptation going back. Since I’ve been through it before, I wouldn’t put myself through the same hole again. If it didn’t benefit me before, it won’t benefit me now.”
According to www.knowtheodds.org, some misconceptions of gambling could be a sign of lack of care at home, carelessness or reckless behavior.
Often times people don’t consider the long term effects of new experiences. However, an addiction can start from anywhere.
Your first time drinking, smoking, or just being in the environment of either two can become more than just a one time thing. It can lure you into thinking that’s your favorite thing to do and the best thing out there to keep you sane.
My dad didn’t think gambling would become an addiction for him, but it did. It was one that taught him a lot and if it wasn’t for that, he wouldn’t of been aware of how much it cost him.
My family would criticize my dad’s flaws, such as how he chose to lean towards alcohol to cope with his gambling issues. I thought my best friend was my dad, but alcohol was his.
There would be things said such as, “You have a daughter, don’t do this to her,” and “You need to get yourself together. This is unhealthy for you.”
When you’re deep into an addiction, words of encouragement to stop don’t mean anything to you since your temptation is already high as it is.
My dad states, “I wasn’t just hurting myself, but I was hurting the people around me. Every time I would hear one of my family members say, ‘You need to stop,’ I didn’t care.”
According to www.helpguide.org, there are two major types of gambling: pathological and compulsive.
Pathological gambling results in an individual not being able to resist the drive and temptation to gamble. Gambling is on your mind the majority of the time and it’s a good distraction to you.
Compulsive gambling is when one can’t control the impulse to gamble. Regardless of whether you’re up/down, broke/flushed, gambling is your sense of happiness.
At some point, I believe my dad was a compulsive gambler.
At the start of my dad’s interest for gambling, it was all fun and games. The fun transformed into him losing his car, house and money to secure himself.
Having a kid is a lot of responsibilities and requirements, so he knew he had to take the role of being a parent when I came along.
When asked if my dad ever receives the temptation to gamble again, he responded, “I don’t feel the temptation going back. Since I’ve been through it before, I wouldn’t put myself through the same hole again. If it didn’t benefit me before, it won’t benefit me now.”
According to www.knowtheodds.org, some misconceptions of gambling could be a sign of lack of care at home, carelessness or reckless behavior.
Often times people don’t consider the long term effects of new experiences. However, an addiction can start from anywhere.
Your first time drinking, smoking, or just being in the environment of either two can become more than just a one time thing. It can lure you into thinking that’s your favorite thing to do and the best thing out there to keep you sane.
My dad didn’t think gambling would become an addiction for him, but it did. It was one that taught him a lot and if it wasn’t for that, he wouldn’t of been aware of how much it cost him.