by Trung Nguyen

1. Definition

2. Classification

3. Reasons people become addicted

4. Risk factors

5. Types of gamblers

6. Phases of gambling addiction

7. Characteristics of compulsive gamblers

8. Gambling a type of drug

9. How gambling is similar to drugs

10. Gambling is worse than alcohol and drugs

What it takes to overcome gambling addiction....

A long, lonely, uphill battle with plenty of hard work ahead.

I looked at the Gamblers Anonymous site today for the first time and read the 12 steps to recovery. Then I did some research. Here are my thoughts.

"A gambler with a system must be, to a greater or lesser extent, insane." - George Augusta Sala (1828-95), English Writer and journalist.

"Americans no longer believe the pitch that gambling is 'economic development', and a 'painless revenue stream.' People aren't listening to thieves promoting gambling as 'just another form of entertainment' like shopping and the movies.' The bloom is off the gambling rose and its thorns are starting to pierce the consciousness of America." - NCALG (National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling) Executive Director Tom Grey.