Dear friends
I think I probably know the answer to this, but I would like some other opinions.
One of my best friends has a problem with gambling. She has always had trouble controlling her spending, but in the last six months or so, has fallen into even worse trouble with gambling. Last spring it was scratch-game cards. She was a little better this summer. But now this fall, she's been visiting the slots at the local casino.
Now this friend has Bipolar disorder and she is in a manic phase. Even when her BD is in better control (I don't think it's ever been completely under control) she has anxiety issues. One of her daughters has been having a personal problem, and anxiety from that problem has pushed her completely out of control. She has been out gambling all night, spending every penny she gets her hands on, leaving her daughters (12 & 15) home alone when her husband is out of town for work.
She has recently spent a great deal of their families money (she is married with 2 teenage daughters, no job) on gambling. When cut off from money, she is extremely resourceful in finding sources of cash, hocking family valuables (computer, musical instruments) and gambling that money away too.
Now she's on a new drug for BP and in counseling for the spending/shopping/gambling. She says she's on a path to getting better, but she insists on going to online gambling sites and "playing for free."
These are sites that have regular online gambling with real money, it's just the area of the site where customers "play for free". I say it's a terrible idea and will just reactivate her desire to gamble.
What do you think, TAM community? Is this a "harmless pastime" or ?. I'm interested to hear stories if anyone else has friends or family who have Bipolar Disorder and gambling.
Thank you.
I think I probably know the answer to this, but I would like some other opinions.
One of my best friends has a problem with gambling. She has always had trouble controlling her spending, but in the last six months or so, has fallen into even worse trouble with gambling. Last spring it was scratch-game cards. She was a little better this summer. But now this fall, she's been visiting the slots at the local casino.
Now this friend has Bipolar disorder and she is in a manic phase. Even when her BD is in better control (I don't think it's ever been completely under control) she has anxiety issues. One of her daughters has been having a personal problem, and anxiety from that problem has pushed her completely out of control. She has been out gambling all night, spending every penny she gets her hands on, leaving her daughters (12 & 15) home alone when her husband is out of town for work.
She has recently spent a great deal of their families money (she is married with 2 teenage daughters, no job) on gambling. When cut off from money, she is extremely resourceful in finding sources of cash, hocking family valuables (computer, musical instruments) and gambling that money away too.
Now she's on a new drug for BP and in counseling for the spending/shopping/gambling. She says she's on a path to getting better, but she insists on going to online gambling sites and "playing for free."
These are sites that have regular online gambling with real money, it's just the area of the site where customers "play for free". I say it's a terrible idea and will just reactivate her desire to gamble.
What do you think, TAM community? Is this a "harmless pastime" or ?. I'm interested to hear stories if anyone else has friends or family who have Bipolar Disorder and gambling.
Thank you.
Put the internet to work for you.
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