Ep 7. I'm Gambling for My Future
- June 22, 2017
In True Life season 20 episode 7, titled "I'm Gambling for My Future," viewers are introduced to several young adults whose lives revolve around their addiction to gambling. For some, gambling started as a harmless pastime but quickly spiraled out of control. Others turned to gambling as a way to cope with emotional trauma or financial stress.
First, we meet Jamie, a 23-year-old college student who has racked up over $50,000 in debt from gambling. Despite losing her entire savings account and being forced to drop out of school, Jamie continues to spend hours each day playing online poker and blackjack. She dreams of hitting the jackpot and paying off her debts, but her addiction is only pushing her deeper into financial ruin.
Next, we meet 25-year-old Danny, who turned to gambling as a way to escape the pain of losing his mother to cancer. He quickly became addicted to the rush of winning and began spending more and more time at the casino. Now, he is thousands of dollars in debt and his family is on the verge of falling apart. Danny realizes that he needs to get help for his addiction, but is afraid of what his future holds if he can't turn his life around.
Finally, we meet 28-year-old Sarah, a mother of two who started gambling as a way to supplement her income. She quickly became addicted and began to neglect her family and responsibilities in favor of spending all of her time at the casino. Despite losing thousands of dollars, Sarah can't seem to stay away from the slots and table games. She knows that her addiction is hurting those around her, but feels powerless to stop.
Throughout the episode, viewers are given an inside look into the world of gambling addiction. We see the highs and lows of these individuals as they chase their dreams of striking it rich, only to find themselves deeper in debt and more desperate than ever before. The episode also explores the emotional toll of gambling addiction, as we see the impact it has on relationships, mental health, and self-esteem.
Ultimately, "I'm Gambling for My Future" is a sobering reminder of the power of addiction and the importance of seeking help when struggling with gambling or any other form of addiction. It highlights the need for better education and resources to help individuals struggling with addiction, as well as the importance of addressing the root causes of addiction in order to achieve long-term recovery.
