Gaming addiction became very real, very quickly, for me, my friends and my family. My best friend's mother, Beverly Roan, is currently incarcerated at the Sandy Mush Correctional Center in Merced, California, after allegedly embezzling over $350,000 from her employer to fund her gambling addiction. Beverly is a mother of three children aged 58 and grandmother of eight; no one ever suspected this level of addiction or criminal activity based on our daily interactions with her. We were shocked and appalled when she was arrested at her job in February. Little did we know that his penchant for going to Chukchansi to play slot machines had turned into a full-blown gambling addiction. Pathological gambling has become a devastating mental illness that affects millions of Americans. Compulsive gambling is considered a type of impulse control disorder. Even when the addict is aware that their addiction is negatively affecting their life, they cannot stop their urge to gamble, regardless of the consequences. The mental health community distinguishes between problem gambling and gambling addiction. Problem gambling refers to any gambling behavior that affects your life. Gambling addiction occurs when a person is unable to resist the urge to gamble. You have to play regardless of the consequences. A common myth is that problem gamblers must gamble every day. When in reality, it can be frequent or infrequent. It's normally cyclical. Where there are periods of play, followed by periods of rest and then return to play. People can go months without playing and still be considered to have a gambling addiction (Season). Another myth associated with gambling is that it is a mental disorder in men, ...... middle of paper ......r mother at that time. This forces her to get the help she desperately needs. I encourage anyone who thinks they may have a gambling problem to seek help immediately, without waiting until it is too late. Works CitedDryden-Edwards, MD, Roxanne. “Gaming addiction statistics, treatment, disorder facts, causes and symptoms from MedicineNet.com.” MedicineNet. Ed. William C. Chiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR. Internet. May 12, 2011. “Gamblers Anonymous: Questions and Answers.” Official homepage of Gamblers Anonymous. Internet. May 12, 2011. “Gaming addiction and problem gambling: signs, help and treatment.” » Helpguide.org: Ad-free expert articles help give you knowledge, support and hope. Internet. May 12 2011. .