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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.