WEBVTT

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My husband passed away.

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And my first visit to the casino was with my nephew.

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He took me there to get away

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and to find some peace of mind,

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because I wasn't doing well.

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I mean, I didn't know where to turn,

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and the pain was so bad,

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I didn't even want to think about it.

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And without knowing it,

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I kept going back and back and back to the casino,

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until I found myself thinking,

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as I was always leaving,

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"How quickly can I get back?"

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"How am I going to get back?"

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And "How much money will I take? "

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because I was spending money.

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I was taking money from different places

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that I had put aside for my grandchildren,

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and not even realizing it.

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Always thinking that I would put it back.

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I'd win. I'd hit big. I'd put the money back.

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Until it was too late.

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It was like quicksand,

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I was pulled in.

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I was the sort of person in the community

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that went to church,

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people looked up to,

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did the right things.

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Did the things I thought I was supposed to do,

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but when I lost my husband,

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I blamed God.

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I blamed everybody.

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And I went somewhere, just to hide.

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And gambling took me in.

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I realized I was unhappy.

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I didn't enjoy it anymore,

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and i really didn't want to go again.

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So I'd say, "No, you can't do this.

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"This is not you.

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"You're doing things

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"that you've never done in your life,

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telling people lies."

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And I would convince myself of that

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and turn right around and go back

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to the casino.

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I wasn't happy.

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Didn't want to do it anymore.

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I was hooked.

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As a friend or a family of a senior,

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we need to be aware that,

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if they begin to back off from interaction,

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from activities that normally they're anxious to participate in,

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that is a sign we need to look for

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with someone who may be developing a gambling problem.

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Another is blocks of time unaccounted for

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when we can't find them.

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They're not at home, they're not where they're supposed to be.

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But when asked there's-- there's not a real explanation

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or answer for where they were.

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If they begin to talk about, or be heavily interested in,

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gambling activities or gambling facilities,

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changes in attitude and personality,

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a sudden need for money or a loss of money,

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missing possessions or assets.

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It's very important that you realize

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what you're giving up when you find yourself

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pulled into this situation.

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And I would suggest a recovery program,

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either a 12-Step program,

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speak to a counselor, a pastor,

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or someone that can talk with you,

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to help you, and do it as quickly as possible.

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I called the help line,

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and they rescued me; they were my saving grace.

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More than 500,000 Floridians

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suffer from compulsive gambling.

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It's an illness, but a treatable illness.

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If it affects you or someone you care about,

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get confidential help by calling

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the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling

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at 888-ADMIT-IT.

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888-A-D-M-I-T-I-T.

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8-8-8-ADMIT IT or on the web

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at gamblinghelp.org

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To keep gambling entertaining,

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play smart to stay safe.

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Here are suggestions:

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Hope to win, but expect to lose.

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Play with cash, never on credit.

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Stick with your limits on time and money spent gambling.

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Bet only what you can afford to lose.

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Make gambling social; include friends.

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Keep other interests alive.

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Feel good about your life outside of gambling.

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Problem gamblers can be helped

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to regain control of their lives,

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and that specialized help is available

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from people who understand.

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For a free, confidential conversation,

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call the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling

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at 888 ADMIT IT .

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888-A-D-M-I-T-I-T.

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888-ADMIT IT or on the web

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at gamblinghelp.org

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because admitting that you have a gambling problem

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is the first step to solving a gambling problem.