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.

[11cvolley]

I was the type that would have never claimed ptsd if not for my wife telling me I needed help or she was leaving. When I first got out my VSO had me apply for knee pain, and other random stuff. I told the doctors my VSO suggested this and while the pain is there. I couldn't honestly say what caused it. Those claims were denied and I felt horrible about wasting the VA's time. Which reminds me that I found it odd the VA rated me P&T. Because I always told the VA doctors I want to work, but every job ends because of missed time or i'd quit before I got fired. Being fired was the worst and so I decided i'd be in control of it by quitting. I must be an exception to the usual case. Besides one jaded C&P examiner that said I could work because I play video games. I also completed the questions on the computer in record time he said. I told him because I know how to use tab/space/arrow keys instead of the mouse. He never listed that in his report tho. Maybe he is part of the reason I feel this way. It almost seemed like he thought 100% ptsd meant you were mentally unable, ect. I'm still a 'wiz' with computers. I built my current computer. 

[GeekySquid]

22 hours ago, Buck52 said:

Guilt & Forgiveness are two major factors in my life.

thank you for bringing up forgiveness. I was remiss in not mentioning that specific word. It has serious cultural implications and people think of it in a variety of contexts.

In our case as veterans, some of the things we feel guilt about (things not of our making) can abate if we learn to forgive ourselves for our felt obligation or fault in the event(s).

I cannot bring myself to feel guilt for what my parents may have done, much less ancestors from centuries ago. Do I feel bad some of them were total jerks? sure and even embarrassed when people find out who I am related to. But I don't feel guilt for their actions. I am not the cause or reason they did their bad things.

the same goes for us veterans, we do/did what we were ordered to. Did some behave badly and way beyond orders? yep, they did and I won't begin to lie or try and justify those actions of others. Those people, if they feel guilt about their actions,  (In my opinion) need to find a way to atone for what they did and use their actions as  a learning tool and a teaching tool of what not to do.

People cannot let those events and experiences take control of their lives and daily functions. It is not easy, feel what you feel when you feel it, just don't let it control and drive your entire day, week, month, year, or life. My way of phrasing it is "give yourself 5 minutes to wallow in the guilt and then move on". Others say it differently and maybe in a kinder fashion but the intent is the same.

 forgive yourself, ....everyone already has.

[GeekySquid]

18 minutes ago, 11cvolley said:

i'd quit before I got fired.

 my first major melt down after leaving the service saw me lose everything, job, house, car, credit and friends. I left normal "society" because I knew I was becoming a danger to myself and potentially others. i don't mean being violent I mean driving a car or not realizing I was stepping in front of a bus and i had no control. I literally ended up living in a cave out in the desert for a lot of months.

when I finally got my head straight and saw the wreckage I had made of my life, I set out to find ways to never let that happen again. The first challenge was getting a job and overcoming the long employment gap. the next part was getting work that let me control when and where I worked. I became a contract consultant. I had the brains, skills, experience and degrees to make that happen.

education has always been "easy" for me because I like learning new things. so I learned what I needed to do in the event my brain took a vacation again, and I put them in place so when I returned I would not be destitute.  besides being book smart I can swing a hammer and hang dry wall. I have built homes from scratch starting at laying the foundation. My one grandfather was a builder so I learned those skills young.

so I did consulting work, invested in properties not to "flip" but to hold and rent out. I also got legal and financial advisors that I could trust. It was hard work sometimes 16-18 hours a day 7 days a week, but I did it and it worked out for me for a long time.

I survived Katrina but lost all my possessions and home and I ran to the swamp to live for a while. The 07/08 economic collapse destroyed my savings and retirement, back to the swamp.. 2 more destructive hurricanes later each sending me to live in the swamp for a while. I do mean the literal swamp, not D.C.

I am much older now and trying to make one more comeback. If this fails I will likely not ever return from the swamp. I am 100% P&T schedular. I am grateful that I am not TD/IU as that would limit my ability to make income.

The california franchise tax board contacted me last week claiming I owe them 18K from 2001 and demands I agree to owing the debt before they will provide me proof it is mine. Oh and by the way I have until Nov 1 to do so or they will seek a judgement against me. My VA compensation is protected but any other money or job I take will not be, which means crawling back to a real life is that much harder. I am looking for a CA lawyer to take them on pro-bono but no luck so far.

Life will be what it is but it galls me that CA has created a no win situation and even exempted themselves from being challenged in regular court over their attempts to harm a veteran.

 

[Navy4life]

I have felt guilty from time to time as well because I am 90% and if I am successful with my current claim, I will go to 100% scheduler.  I work, but only from home.  I have issues daily with life in general but I try to put on a happy face.  For some of us, we choose to do things that make us happy.  To the OP, if the guy likes to go and have some fun gambling and can afford it, that is on him.  I will say this, gambling is an addiction as is alcohol and drugs and many other things.  Now if a Veteran is deemed to not be able to work and is working "side jobs" to earn extra money, that is defrauding the government but simply going to the casino and wanting to gamble isn't wrong.

[GeekySquid]

14 hours ago, Navy4life said:

I will say this, gambling is an addiction as is alcohol and drugs and many other things.

@Navy4life

I will agree with most everything you wrote but  I do have a problem with the phrasing of that sentence.

To be accurate it should be something like "can be and addiction..."

I get heebie jeebies when I hear absolutes and in the case of the three things you mentioned none are always addictions, but can become one if they are abused and or reach a stage where they are a compulsion instead of a casual enjoyment.

Moderation in all things, including the use of absolutes.

 

[Navy4life]

10 hours ago, GeekySquid said:

@Navy4life

I will agree with most everything you wrote but  I do have a problem with the phrasing of that sentence.

To be accurate it should be something like "can be and addiction..."

I get heebie jeebies when I hear absolutes and in the case of the three things you mentioned none are always addictions, but can become one if they are abused and or reach a stage where they are a compulsion instead of a casual enjoyment.

Moderation in all things, including the use of absolutes.

 

In all fairness, yes I agree "can be addictive" for TWO out of the THREE...Gambling and Alcohol can be casual enjoyment.  Any drug use isn't casual enjoyment in my opinion, as using drugs are illegal.  Obviously with the exception of prescribed drugs, but again, that 'can' be addictive.