Pam Rainey

She had lost her life’s mate. Longing for comfort to transport her through dark clouds of grief that tormented her days and kept her awake at night, she looked for solace in unfamiliar places.

He was also grieving. His soulmate of 40 years had been killed in an automobile accident. Lately, since he took early retirement, he longed not only for his wife but missed the career that had driven him since college days. At first, he had frequently seen his feisty former colleagues.Now, everyone seemed too busy for him and his days were empty.

On this particular day these two lonely people were hooked to machines only a few feet apart— slot machines. They found gambling gave them temporary respite from memories of the past and fear of the future. Neither could stop their addiction— not without help.

Gambling often seduces a lonely older person who has experienced a life loss. Because of their vulnerability and feelings of isolation, seniors find themselves in a trap before they know they have fallen prey to an addiction that leads to broken families and hearts and empty bank accounts.

Since gambling takes money and gamblers are not always winners, many senior addicts act irrationally and live to regret their decisions. For example, some borrow against their savings, put mortgages against their homes or borrow money from friends and family.Because they are ashamed of the truth, they lie about their whereabouts and haven’t a clue where to go to get help.

According to an article titled “Senior citizens gamble big and often” published in Senior Journal, when researchers surveyed 843 people 65 years and older, they discovered that 70 percent had been involved in at least one gambling activity in the past year and 11 percent fit the criteria of at-risk gamblers.

The lure of gambling could make perfect sense to someone looking for escape from reality.After all, gambling often involves connecting to other people, free food and an opportunity to divert one’s attention from sad thoughts of the past or the uncertainty of what’s ahead.

Gambling does not require one to be in great physical shape.So a senior with a need for a cane, walker or the help of a breathing device can easily get to a slot machine, gambling table or better yet never leave the convenience of their home. They can also gamble online.

But easy can be devastating.According to the article in Senior Focus, “For an estimated one in twenty, this hobby becomes a problem.”The article continues: “There are two types of problem gamblers: action gamblers, who thrive on the thrill; and escape gamblers, who use gambling as an emotional escape. Older adults tend to be escape gamblers.”

According to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling, since 1992, senior citizen callers have accounted for about 20 percent of its problem-gambling helpline calls each year.

So, what are the symptoms of gambling addiction? Here are a few identified by the Florida Counsel on Compulsive Gambling:

* Withdrawal from family

* Neglect of personal needs and health

* Sudden need for money or loans

* Secrecy, avoidance or lying when questioned about gambling habits

* Using retirement funds or cashing in an insurance policy to fund gambling.

If you or someone you love is looking to recover from a gambling addiction, Texas Gamblers Anonymous can help. The Dallas-Fort Worth area hotline is 214-890-0005.

Houston Gamblers Anonymous welcomes Gamblers Anonymous members to an annual 12-step retreat weekend in Houston from Dec. 18-20.For more information, call the Houston hotline at 1-888-442-7105 .

If you are a senior looking for something to do to escape the pain in your life, please remember our nonprofits in our community such as Our Daily Bread, which serves meals to the hungry each day; The Food Room, which takes and distributes food to the hungry; and Friends of the Family, which helps victims of domestic violence.

You may also seek out a senior group where you worship.

PAM RAINEY writes a monthly column about issues concerning senior citizens. You can contact her by sending e-mail to rpmrny@cs.com .