You are so right Charles. I used to look forward to the holidays with my daughter and family because it would be so great to see them, open presents, shop for them and make goodies that they would like. Gambling has taken away any and all excitement that I feel for any occasions. I will gamble on my days when I’m not working so that I dont want to go to family get togethers. I dont have money to buy the things that I used to or the time to shop or make things for my family. Occasions are reminders of what I have lost, or am losing. I see my family happy and doing well and I am fearful they will see the real me somehow. I want to be the clown that i used to be. I want to be fun and vibrant. I used to dress nicely, be attractive and happy. Now, if I even go to a family function, I barely even shower. What has become of me? What has gambling taken from me that I can get back? MY LIFE. THATS WHAT! I am feeling more anger at it today than I ever have before and it is because of your dentist. Gambling has taken any semblance of a normal life and turned me into a functional -albeit sloppy – addict and I need to dig deeper than I have been to find the anger at what i have lost – not money only- but life itself. Thanks Charles for your inciting post.
