The majority of Iowans gamble, and a percentage of those are problem gamblers according to Nicole Hill at Jackson Recovery Center in Le Mars. Those gamblers may hide their addiction so well that family members don't realize there is a problem. [Click to enlarge]

Editor's note: Victim's name has been changed to protect her identity.

Statistics show 88 percent of Iowans gamble -- 3 percent of those become problem gamblers.

For Sharon, what started as lunchtime social gambling, soon became a daily routine.

Her gambling addiction started in July 2006 when she won a jackpot while playing the slot machines at The Argosy Casino in Sioux City.

"Once you win that first jackpot, you're hooked," Sharon said. "I was going every day. The majority of the day I was gambling."

Initially, Sharon, of Sioux City, called 1-800 Bets Off and an operator there connected her with a therapist at Jackson Recovery Center's River Hills Recovery Center in Sioux City.

"In the beginning you feel like you are the only one who does this," Sharon said.

Jackson Recovery Center, in Le Mars, offers a similar treatment program that includes one-on-one therapy sessions and eventually will include group therapy.

Nicole Hill, a therapist at Jackson in Le Mars, has been training since January to counsel addicted gamblers. She currently sees two individuals.

"My focus is getting out there and making people aware of the problem," Hill said. "The services are now available here and the assessments are always free."

Hill said when people initially seek help she asks them about 20 questions such as: Do you ever feel remorse after gambling? Do you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble? Are you reluctant to use gambling money for normal expenses?

If people answer "yes" to at least seven of the 20, Hill said they more than likely have a gambling addiction.

"That's a red flag for us saying that there is an issue," she said.

Even people who think they are gambling for fun like those taking part in office pools, betting on sports, especially now during March Madness, participating in a friendly Friday night poker game or betting online, can get hooked, Hill said.

"There are low-risk guidelines to follow with gambling," she said.

Some of those include realizing you can lose, using limited amounts of money and time and only gambling in social situations, Hill said.

But even those guidelines don't protect everyone.

Like Sharon, who didn't realize she had a gambling problem until December 2006.

She hid her secret life from her son, daughter and husband.

"I faked it so long. I never gambled at night or on the weekends," Sharon said. "They lost mental time with me."

By the time her gambling became critical, Sharon had borrowed money from her retirement fund, her life insurance and her children's savings accounts.

Every credit card she had was maxed, she couldn't pay her bills and was in danger of losing her house. She said about $40,000 of the family's $60,000 debt was a result of her gambling.

"I had depleted every option for money that I had," Sharon said.

By the end of March, her gambling addiction reached its breaking point.

"We had to file bankruptcy," Sharon said. "We had no choice."

Her healing began March 28, 2007 -- the last time she gambled.

Sharon is just days away from her one-year anniversary, and she credits both Siouxland Gamblers Anonymous groups and River Hills for her recovery.

"At therapy you dig deep into what started it," Sharon said. "You discover things about yourself that maybe you don't want to discover."

Although Sharon graduated from River Hills after six months of treatment, Hill said addicts are encouraged to stay in treatment for at least a year.

"The longer they stay involved in treatment the more likely they are to be successful," Hill said. But, she added, each individual is different. "When we feel they're ready, they move on."

Sharon may not be going through treatment at River Hills anymore, but she still has a sponsor and she still attends gambler anonymous groups twice a week.

"You're on your toes all the time. You will be going the rest of your life," Sharon said. "You're never done."

Help available for problem gambling

People who think they may have a problem with gambling are encouraged to contact:

Jackson Recovery Centers, in Le Mars, 712-546-7868

Jackson Recovery Centers' River Hills Recovery Center, in Sioux City, 712-202-0700

Siouxland Gamblers Anonymous, 712-223-0909, line answered 24-hours a day.

Statewide Help Line, 1-800 Bets Off (800-238-7633)

Siouxland Gamblers Anonymous Meetings in Sioux City are held:

7 p.m. Sundays, open meetings, and 7 p.m. Thursdays, closed or gamblers only meetings, at Church of Christ, 211 W. Sixth St.

7 p.m. Tuesdays, open, at St. John Lutheran Church, 2801 Jackson Street.

7 p.m. Wednesdays, open, at Morningside Presbyterian, 4327 Morningside Ave.

National Problem Gambling Awareness Week was observed earlier this month.

DO YOU HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM?

Gambler's Anonymous has 20 questions, which it asks new members. Compulsive gamblers usually answer yes to at least seven of the 20 questions.

I . Do you lose time from work due to gambling?

10. Do you ever borrow to finance your gambling?

11. Do you ever sell anything to finance gambling?

12. Are you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?

13. Does gambling make you careless about the welfare of your family?

14. Do you ever gamble longer than you planned?

15. Do you ever gamble to escape worry or trouble?

16. Do you ever commit, or consider committing, an illegal act to finance your gambling?

17. Does gambling cause you to have difficulty sleeping?

18. Do arguments, disappointments, or frustrations create within you an urge to gamble?

19. Do you have an urge to celebrate good fortune by a few hours of gambling?

20. Do you ever consider self-destruction as a result of your gambling?