DEAR ANN LANDERS: I’m Tom. I’m a compulsive gambler. Last December, I told my family that I would go into treatment when the new year began. I had gambled for about 40 years, since I was a teenager. I gambled on anything and everything and realized for several years I was out of control. I managed to lose the trust of my family and friends, maxed out credit cards and borrowed from credit unions, loan companies and my retirement fund. It finally affected my health because of worries over my job and the turmoil at home.

I heard about Gamblers Anonymous earlier this year and decided it could be the answer for me. Just being with people who had the same problems made me feel better. Now I know that gamblers like me have a sickness. It’s something they can overcome but they need a lot of help. I have found my help at GA. Things are slowly beginning to turn around. My finances are becoming manageable for the first time in years and I can now sleep at night. My blood pressure and diabetes are under control. I realize that I will always have to be on my guard and will have to work hard to regain the respect of the people I love. I am following the program one day at a time. It is very challenging, but I have put my trust in a higher power, and I’m sure I will succeed.

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