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Gambling and Older Adults - Part II

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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.
Title:
Gambling and Older Adults - Part II
Description:

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Video Language:
English
Duration:
05:13

English subtitles

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