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Questions
and Answers:
ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF COMPULSIVE GAMBLING
AND THE BETTORS ANONYMOUS RECOVERY PROGRAM
What is the dream world of the compulsive gambler?
This is another common characteristic of compulsive gamblers. A lot of time
is spent creating images of the great and wonderful things they are going
to do as soon as they make the big win. They often see themselves as quite
philanthropic and charming people. They may dream of providing families and
friends with new cars, mink coats, and other luxuries. Compulsive gamblers
picture themselves leading a pleasant gracious life, made possible by the
huge sums of money they will accrue from their 'system'. Servants,
penthouses, nice clothes, charming friends, yachts, and world tours are a
few of the wonderful things that are just around the corner after a big win
is finally made.
Pathetically, however, there never seems to be a big enough winning to make
even the smallest dream come true. When compulsive gamblers succeed, they gamble
to dream still greater dreams. When failing, they gamble in reckless
desperation and the depths of their misery are fathomless as their dream
world comes crashing down. Sadly, they will struggle back, dream more
dreams, and of course suffer more misery. No one can convince them that
their great schemes will not someday come true. They believe they will, for
without this dream world, life for them would not be tolerable.
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