When Gambling is No Longer Fun
From the Illinois Department on Aging

Compulsive gambling can affect anyone, but retired people and other older adults may be particularly vulnerable. After working all their lives, retirees may find themselves with more time than they know what to do with. Old friends may move away, become ill or die, and favorite sports and other activities may become more difficult. Gambling can seem like an innocent way to spend free time, have a little fun, meet new people. But what happens when the urge to gamble goes past entertainment to real addiction?

When Gambling is No Longer Fun takes a serious look at the growing yet often overlooked problem of gambling addiction among older adults. Three former compulsive gamblers describe how they started gambling, the extent to which addiction overwhelmed them and their loved ones, and how they came to realize that they needed help. They talk about the hidden attraction that gambling can have for older adults in particular, as well as the devastating impact which compulsive gambling has had on their lives — not only the possibility of financial ruin, but the damage to their marriages and other relationships as well as the loss of self-esteem, depression, and thoughts of suicide.

Their stories will help older adults to recognize and heed the warning signs of addiction, while providing guidelines for assessing one's potential for addiction, and information about gambling recovery programs.

14 minutes
© 2002
Purchase $89 DVD
Order No. QA-442

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To rent or purchase this film, please visit the Icarus Films website

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