I’ve never liked going to casinos much. It’s not just the completely artificial environment, nor knowing that all the games are rigged to favor the house. It’s the sheer desperation wafting off some of the casino patrons. People are ruining their lives there. I’d rather eat or see a show someplace else.
Addicted to Dimes is the poignant story of a young woman whose life was torn apart by her casino habit. She emerged from a childhood that contained sexual abuse and frequent criticism to seek help in the wrong place—gambling.
Money conveys status, and it’s easy to see how someone who is unsure of their own worth could be sucked in. And our society makes it so easy—native gambling casinos, lotteries, Keno, bingo—it’s all over the place. The gambling machines are usually conveniently located near ATMs.
The author tells of a life that spiraled out of control—embezzlement, arrest, accepting that she was a liar and a cheat rather than give up gambling. And how she finally turned it all around and gave up her compulsive behavior—even though she still had to face all the same triggers as before, with the added burden of constant financial worry as she and her husband tried to pay back all they now owed.
All in all, a compelling story of how a behavior can act on your system like a drug, including early warning signs. I give it four stars.
Share this:
Avid writer and reader of Faerie tales and noblebright fantasy.
Cathleen Townsend 
Great review! Sharing…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks again, Bette. 🙂
LikeLike
This really stopped me for a minute – first i thought Addicted to Dimes was your new book – your name and that of the author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon, are so similar.
Then I was struck by her subject. Gambling is as destructive as any all consuming addiction. She’s struck out about an abusive system disguised by “legitimate” entertainment. I’ve noticed that gamblers are ridiculously superstitious as if anything good comes of it must be because the gods are watching over them, and if anything bad happens, it’s always because the devil took over. Taken as a metaphor, this can be accurate, but taken literally, it defers responsibility to outside forces instead of internalizing the source. Gamblers, as all addicts, can’t correct what they take no credit for.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yeah, this is an issue I believe in strongly, even though I didn’t write the book. 🙂 Lots of lives have been ruined by gambling, and blaming the victims isn’t going to net us anything in terms of recovery. I think people need to come to terms with what having a casino in their area entails (the crime rate goes up, if nothing else), and how insidious this problem can become.
And if you want to get a point across, the way to do it is to tell a story. Show how lives can be ruined. Enough cautionary tales, and maybe someone will listen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you about the power of story.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hello Cathleen,
THANK YOU very much for adding your review of my book on your blog as well!. Very much appreciate this. IT ALSO opens up, like above, a healthy conversation about this cunning addiction. Which it still has a long way to go to shake off much “stigma.”
Hi, Bette! I know Bette well and she knows all about my recovery! I also thought the same as Sharon about our names. LOL. Sharon is also correct about how society looks at gambling in general. Many feel it is just a form of entertainment and some fun for an hour or two.
But for those of us who, like Sharon said; “sucked into the cycle” of this addiction, it can be easy to become addicted when using gambling to “hide or escape” pain or your past hurts. We seeking to just “numb or zone out.” And not being raised to know you seek help for what my underlying issues were and why I used gambling to hide from my past, not knowing I could have gotten help or therapy.
Many ask how I came to my title of my book. Well, I felt at the time the “Addiction” is what lead me to become a “liar and a cheat.” And wanted to “confess all gambling addiction took from me and begin to take accountability and ownership as some amends for all I had hurt when I was an addict. Now, 10+ years and looking back, I had lost myself, I had no self-worth, therefore had no sense of value to money. Funny, it’s ironic that my past career was in Banking for over 20 years and never stole a penny!
That’s addiction… Gambling addiction is currently the #1 addiction claiming lives by Suicide.
This is why I wrote my book. So people can be educated, raise awareness, and make others in the gaming industry more accountable. I just didn’t wake up one day and say; “gee, I think I will destroy my life with gaming. Nor become an addicted.”
Many factors play into this and how accessible gambling really is. YES, gambling addiction is a real addiction, and since I didn’t have to pop pills, stick a needle in my arm, or smoke or drink anything and get the same high and results as a drug or alcohol addict, many people just can not wrap their minds around out.
The blessing IS? We can recover!
Thanks again Cathleen for a great review… 🙂 🙂
Author/Columnist, Catherine Lyon
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad to have you here, Cat. There’s nothing quite like spreading a good word. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Education never hurts anyone. Thanks for the platform to share a little XOXO CAT
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on "Welcome To ~Cat Lyon's Reading Den" and commented:
Have to say a ‘Big Thanks’ to Author, Cathleen Townsend for this awesome book review post after reading my book; “Addicted To Dimes.’ We have also had comments on her post and opened up a “conversation” about Gambling Addiction. Go share your thoughts!
Author, Catherine Lyon “-)
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] FROM The Beauty of Words of Author, Cathleen […]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great topic, and a memoir–This sounds quite powerful.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, a worthy topic–that’s for sure. 🙂
LikeLike
Sounds like a very good, readable book. I once wrote a book about my friend, a gambling addict, and the miserable life his addiction took him into. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think if people knew how damaging gambling addictions could be, they wouldn’t be so sanguine about letting casinos into their communities.
LikeLike
I think people with gambling addictions should read it or their families at the least. I hope your book does well, Cathleen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, actually, it’s not my book, but Catherine Townsend-Lyon’s. But I can understand the confusion. Our names are quite similar. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! I totally missed that. Sorry, Cathleen!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gambling can do so much damage, wow! It sounds like quite the read. Good pick for a share, Cathleen!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Christy. I agree–gambling isn’t the harmless tax revenue earner it’s represented to be. There’s a human cost as well.
LikeLike
Wonderful. Been clean since Jan 9, 2009. Have everything I ever wanted without gambling and living in the here and now to enjoy it
David S
coconut creek, Fl
LikeLiked by 1 person
So glad to hear your life is moving in a good direction. There’s nothing quite like getting your act together. : )
LikeLike