by Laura Leigh Fields

Created on: August 18, 2008

I watch a lot of televised poker games. During each commercial break, there are a few beer advertisements and almost always an ad telling you how serious gambling addiction can be but what happens in Vegas stays there. At the end of each game, there is always an alcoholic toast made to the winner. The irony is clear. The people who are sponsoring these games want you to see the link. They want you to know that alcohol and gambling go together. There are many reasons for this push.

Both alcohol and gambling addictions are very serious and controlling addictions. They have many similar characteristics. Both can be fun and have unexpected outcomes. They are a way to keep from being bored. Most importantly, they can make you go broke.

Casinos want to make money. They know what it takes to do that or else they wouldn't be in business. Most casinos serve alcohol. They know this is the quickest legal way to rob someone. Even if someone doesn't lose their house at the table, they still invested a good amount of money buying rounds the entire night.

Alcohol lowers your inhibitions. It decreases your ability to make smart decisions. When you are drinking and having fun, you don't take the time to think about the bills you have to pay when you get home. You convince yourself that your luck will change so you keep playing, no matter the cost.

Many alcoholics love a thrill. Sitting and staring into space doesn't always provide that thrill. Casinos and betting do. You can sit at a table with other people, play on slots, or watch horses run around a track. It is a form of entertainment that caters to all walks of life.

Everybody wants to do better in life. In many cases, doing better means having more money. This is why people play lottery with their last dollar. Along those same lines, gambling is a quick way to get rich. We don't think about how much we can lose. We only dream of how much we can win.

In many states, both alcohol and gambling are legal. The fact that is legal makes more people willing to participate. They feel like they are doing nothing wrong, no matter how much they lose with either addiction.

Many alcoholics will drink aftershave, mouthwash, or rubbing alcohol just to get a buzz. Many people who enjoy gambling will bet on what song is coming on the radio next or what the weather is going to be like. It isn't always about the money. It is about the rush.

Alcohol and gambling can provide highs, although on different levels. Both are a way to break free from everyday life. Win or lose, the experience makes it worthwhile for many people. It's not always to walk away from a betting table, just as it is hard to pass up a drink. For lots of people, alcohol and gambling goes together like peanut butter and jelly. It is something they live for, invisibly controlled, but loving every minute of it.

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