In this interview with CCalvinAyre.com’s Rebecca Liggero, author Jessica Broekhuis shares how everyone can enjoy gambling without falling into the traps of addiction.
“If one oversteps the bounds of moderation, the greatest pleasures cease to please.”
These were the immortal words of the famed Greek philosopher Epictetus that rings true to the life of author Jessica Broekhuis. Broekhuis has been visiting schools in the Netherlands to shed light on the misconception that gambling causes addiction by sharing her life experience.
Broekhuis, who is a reformed compulsive gambler, said that gambling is fun as long as it is done responsibly.
“I speak in schools and I develop a professional program for youngsters and students. My message is gambling is fun but be aware of the risk of gambling and play responsible because youngsters play it anyway,” Broekhuis told CalvinAyre.com. “Gambling is fun, so let’s help them play responsibly and give them the tools. I am the one who can do that because I’ve been there, done that.”
Her addiction to gambling, according to Broekhuis, was a result of the untimely death of her father. She said she turned to illegal drugs and soon gambling in order to cope with her father’s demise.
She admitted that gambling could become addictive, especially when you are not in the right state of mind.
“Gambling is an underestimated addiction and hidden addiction. So I kept it very long for myself. But at some point I had my back against the wall. I had to do something. I called my best friend, and she said: ‘you really need to go to rehab.’ I knew that if I didn’t go I will die,” Broekhuis said. “So more than death to life, I went into rehab. I started out in Holland then I went to South Africa for 7 months.”
At present, Broekhuis has been active in educating the Dutch on gambling, the misconception behind the game, and how to overcome compulsive gambling, especially since many consider it as taboo.
For those who wanted to gamble, Broekhuis has one piece of advice: “Be aware of your state of mind when you are playing. If you are unstable, and if you have an unquiet mind, stop playing.”
“And supposed if they are going to play in that state of mind and they keep on playing like that, I always say to them seek for help. Share your feelings. Because speak about it. Gambling is still a taboo. Even talking about gambling is a taboo in Holland, unfortunately,” she added.
