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GAMBLING - THE COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR

NCJ Number
60347
Author(s)
R SINGERMAN
Editor(s)
T LYMAN, D LUNDMARK
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FOR SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE, AND STUDENTS, THIS FILM DRAMATIZES THE PROBLEMS OF THREE COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS TO INTRODUCE THE SYMPTOMS OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLING AND THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVENESS OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLING BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
BASED ON CASE STUDIES AND SUPPORTED BY FACTUAL COMMENTARY FROM A METROPOLITAN VICE SQUAD DETECTIVE, A LOAN SHARK, AND A MEMBER OF GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS (AND HIS WIFE), EACH PORTRAYAL ILLUSTRATES THAT COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS ARE NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF THEIR LIVES. THE GAMBLERS IN THE FILM ARE AN 18-YEAR-OLD UNEMPLOYED MALE, A BLACK TAXI DRIVER, AND A MIDDLE AGE BUSINESS EXECUTIVE. EACH MAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THAT HIS GAMBLING COMPULSION IS A SICKNESS, HE LIES TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ABOUT HIS ACTIVITIES, AND SPENDS INCREASING AMOUNTS OF TIME MAKING BETS. THE UNEMPLOYED YOUTH IS NO LONGER SATISFIED WITH $2 BETS ON HORSES, THE TAXI DRIVER IS IN DEBT TO A LOAN SHARK AND CAN NO LONGER COVER HIS MOUNTING DEBTS, AND THE EXECUTIVE REFUSES TO ADMIT THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS PROBLEM UNTIL CONFRONTED BY HIS WIFE. FOR HELP IN DEALING WITH THE COMPULSIVE GAMBLER, A MEMBER OF GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS AND HIS WIFE POINT OUT VARIOUS SYMPTOMS, SUCH AS THE GAMBLER'S RELUCTANCE TO ENGAGE IN NORMAL CONVERSATION AND HIS WIFE'S TENDENCY TO BLAME HERSELF FOR HIS GAMBLING. THE FILM EMPHASIZES THAT COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS MUST WANT TO CEASE GAMBLING AND TO RECOGNIZE THAT GAMBLING IS A DESEASE BEFORE SEEKING HELP. GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS AND OTHER TECHNIQUES TO HELP THE COMPULSIVE GAMBLER ARE MENTIONED. (WJR)

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