PTSD and gambling?

[11cvolley]

So I found out today that my Uncles neighbor is 100% for only ptsd. He tried talking to me while I was visiting my uncle. He then invites me to go to the casino with him to play cards; which, I declined. I'm not judging but it is peaking my curiosity. How do 100% ptsd veterans manage to go gambling in a crowded casino that requires interaction, but can't work? I'm not judging or plan on reporting. Not my job or business to try to report people. I just want to understand it.

[pwrslm]

I read about one guy who got into thrill seeking and ended up DOA one day. PTSD is a complex issue, not just anxiety and stress but also addictions and emotions. Gambling is an addiction. PTSD may be the primer, but the relief from "winning" makes you feel important and successful. It allows you to put on a mask and for a little bit life is normal. Most gambling addictions can go  on for years before causing major problems. Some can become acute and destroy someone's  life in short order.

This link goes to a journal to an article that talks about this and other problem behaviors associated with PTSD.

 

Edited October 16, 2018 by pwrslm

[Buck52]

Its not up to us Veterans to judge one another.

   if a Veteran is S.C. For Any disability  that's on him.

 Rather or not  its a MH PTSD or a Bad Back, or bad  feet, Hep-C, Hearing Loss whatever.

  Most MH disability's are invisible disability's 

This veteran has the right to spend his $$ any way he wants to,  if Gambling fits his needs  then so be it...if that makes him happy.

I personally don't care what other Veterans do with there time and money   its simply non of my business.

[11cvolley]

1 hour ago, Buck52 said:

Its not up to us Veterans to judge one another.

   if a Veteran is S.C. For Any disability  that's on him.

 Rather or not  its a MH PTSD or a Bad Back, or bad  feet, Hep-C, Hearing Loss whatever.

  Most MH disability's are invisible disability's 

This veteran has the right to spend his $$ any way he wants to,  if Gambling fits his needs  then so be it...if that makes him happy.

I personally don't care what other Veterans do with there time and money   its simply non of my business.

 

True, I do judge my own 100% rating sometimes. Like when I took my son to Kings Island. The whole time I kept thinking, 'I can do this but not hold a job?' 

[Buck52]

Veterans can have a life  even IU Veterans  and they still need a family life   taking a child to a fun event, if your a 100% Disabled Veteran 100% or IU   you still have a life   that does not mean you CAN work  it means you love your kids.

[vetquest]

I am a 100% veteran and spend a lot of time with church activities.  I may look normal, if you overlook the leg braces, but most of my disability is invisible.  I question my disability many times but my wife reminds me that I have a very compromised memory and I am not always fully up to par.

[pwrslm]

A little old lady told me that if the devil keeps ya busy, it keeps you away from Gods work.

I didnt realize it years ago, but that enlistment contract gave me an insurance policy just in case I got hurt. I went for 35 years and never realized it existed. My spine was screwed up something terrible, and it kept me from doing what I really wanted. It kept me from working hard, and I did work like a dog when I was motivated. When everything was falling apart in the end, someone told me that the VA should deal with my back problem because it was from  way back where it started in the Army. That began an incredible journey to where I am today. I really am disabled. It took a year or so to finally come to terms and understand what that meant, but its ok. I can still get around, do things I really want, but some things I will never do again, like run, or even walk fast. If you put it in your mind that you are 100% disabled, it can destroy you. I wont let it stop me, I go to a gym now and use an elliptical. I can go 4 thousand yards on a rowing machine pretty fast. I keep hope up, and if I have a bad day and life knocks me down, I get right back up ready for anything else life throws at me.

If you quit, it will kill you. Fight the good fight gentlemen, stand up and be counted. Its our hearts that make us men, not our injured bodies!