Escape Gamblers - More Facts
In 1999, 73% of all calls to the ACCG 1-800-Helpline were from or about Escape gamblers, up from 67% in 1998. The rise of male Escape gamblers asking for help accounts for the difference. At the end of 1999, 49% of the men asking for help were identified as Escape gamblers, in contrast to 37% in 1998. Women Escape gamblers remained constant at near 95%.
The following deductions were made by the Arizona Council since 1997 as data has been collected from thousands of compulsive gamblers calling the 1-800-Helpline and information provided by gamblers attending the self-help programs across Arizona.
Escape compulsive gamblers share some of the same
characteristics as the Action gambler:
- Low self esteem
- Become liars
- Manipulative
- Evolve through four stages: Winning-Losing-Desperation-Hopeless (although their is no "Winning" stage for Escape gamblers, they do have winning episodes, but not phases. This is because Escape gamblers play "luck" and Action Gamblers playu "skill" games.
However, there are important differences.
Understanding them can accelerate one’s recovery.
- Gambling becomes a problem later in life, frequently after 30 or as late as 80.
- Gamble at luck games; slot machines, video poker, bingo, lottery, other machines, Internet.
- Gamble for different reasons than action gamblers.
- Are numb, almost in a hypnotic like state while gambling. Gamble to escape problems.
- Are free from physical and/or emotional pain while gambling
- Nurturing, responsible individual majority of adult life.
- Often victim of abuse
- Does not like confrontation; in desperate need of empowerment
- Often becomes compulsive almost immediately once predisposing factors emerge
- Sometimes has winning episodes after becoming compulsive, but at this point winning is simply a means of gambling longer.
- Usually seeks help for their gambling within 6 months to 3 years after becoming compulsive.
- High probability of long term abstinence from gambling if able to become empowered by replacing gambling with other activity and regaining or developing coping skills
- Probably codependent. Recovery greatly accelerated by recognizing and dealing with codependent issues.
- Have a much more difficult time in early recovery. They don’t forgive themselves easily and have a deep sense of shame and guilt.
- Spouses of women Escape gamblers are not likely to attend recovery programs such as GamAnon.
- Have a better opportunity at long term recovery; become more involved in their own recovery.
- Are more likely to seek professional help
- Need empowering rather than humbling
CODEPENDENCY & ESCAPE GAMBLERS
Upon learning about codependency, many escape gamblers identify codependency problems as some of the underlying issues they must deal with as part of their recovery. Books by such authors as Melody Beatty or Pia Mellody as well as CoDA itself are recommended. Books are available on line through Hazelden or Amazon.com.
Please visit:
CoDA at www.codependents.org
For women only: Please visit The WOMEN HELPING WOMEN NEWSLETTER
