@parkerfaris5643

1 year ago

“You can feel bad for someone’s mental health while also condemning their actions” very well put Charlie Edit (6 months later): Well I never realized this comment would blow up so much (thank you btw) but it did and some time has passed so I thought I’d throw in my thoughts, especially because there is a lot of disagreement in the replies. Firstly, gambling addiction is very real. This shouldn’t even need to be clarified. The adrenaline, dopamine and endorphin highs you get from it are comparable to the highs from nicotine and heroin. Like many other mental health disorders, it is also literally hereditary. Addiction in general, and how prone individual people are to it largely runs in the family. With this, one’s ability to quit the addictive substance or lifestyle also varies greatly. Gambling is one of the most destructive disorders, both to the one inflicted by it and to his/her family and friends. It has one of the highest suicide rates of any disorder as well. Now, that’s out of the way. With that said, a disorder is by no means an excuse. He should face consequences. He probably deserves jail-time. That matter is more-so opinionated. But in reality, he needs rehabilitation more than anything. Addicts generally do have a certain degree of guilt they feel about their behavior. I’m sure especially when it has an impact on their personal relationships. I mean I’m sure there are exceptions- there are genuinely horrible people who don’t give a fuck about anyone or anything, that’s true. But in general, addicts are extremely shameful and live with much regret. Would Slicker had ever come forward to apologize, speak on his addiction, and right his wrongs if he had not been caught? Hell no. Most addicts never do. But if they ever do, most of the time it’s because they come to a point where they are forced to. A study published in Journal of Behavioral Addictions notes only up to 10% of all gambling addicts ever seek treatment. Compare that with the 10%-50% who seek help due to substance use disorders. I can link this in the replies if anyone wants. Yes, ultimately in the end an addict needs to have the self-motivation and discipline to truly get help. But most times they are too embarrassed and ashamed to come forward. That in itself I’m sure is a mental battle. His addiction is not an excuse, it doesn’t justify anything he did at all. Like I said, there should be consequences. Whether that be time in jail, paying back the money, or a combination of both is all up for debate. But rehabilitation is what he needs. Yes he’s a shitty person. Yes he should pay for what he did. I don’t think anyone is denying that. But unfortunately, this tends to be the end result for many many addicts. They are left devastated, broken, alone and helpless. A lot of times their family and friends are left the same. The thing is- they don’t need to be helpless. But, if anytime there is consequential behavior due to severe mental health conditions, disorders, addictions, etc. and the first thing we do is toss them in a jail cell to rot for life… I mean, we eliminate any opportunity to learn and study these things so that they can be treated, and more importantly prevented from ever happening in the first place. But of course, there are levels to this. A lot of times this addictive behavior only warrants help and treatment, and other times there most definitely should be consequences as well. This is probably one of those times. My original comment was by no means profound or groundbreaking. It should be common sense. But clearly it needed to be said based off the amount of disagreement there is. Anyways, that was long. I don’t really expect anyone to read all of this or even care. But that’s where I stand. Summary: gambling addiction is real. he needs to face consequences. he needs rehabilitation.

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