http://www.thepunch.com.au/tags/addiction/ Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/my-name-is-neil-watkins-and-i-am-a-sex-addict/ Neil Watkins is a sex addict and an acclaimed performer. His play – The Year of Magical Wanking – has been called beguiling and poetic, intense, funny, and astonishingly brave. “I am Neil Martin Watkins and I am a sex and love-addicted innocent.” That’s how I begin my autobiographical monologue about my sexual shame as a result of growing up in Catholic Ireland. Of course, it was all just the norm then. An altar to Mary and Jesus on the window sill. A holy water font in the hall. Our mother anointed us every morning before school. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/my-name-is-neil-watkins-and-i-am-a-sex-addict/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/my-name-is-neil-watkins-and-i-am-a-sex-addict/#item7916 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/ Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/id-lie-awake-pokie-music-running-through-my-head/#item7551 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Its-tough-its-expensive-but-rehab-really-works/ Rehabilitation works. Just ask Sally*, who first injected heroin at the of 15. By 19, she was injecting four times a day and was working as a prostitute to pay for her habit. This continued until she met a social worker who referred her to a drug rehabilitation clinic. After a tough battle with a few setbacks, Sally is able to live without heroin, and is now completing her second year of a law degree. And this is all thanks to rehabilitation. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Its-tough-its-expensive-but-rehab-really-works/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Its-tough-its-expensive-but-rehab-really-works/#item7266 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/ Gambling is a serious social problem with horrendous consequences for the vulnerable. I grew up in suburban Brisbane and my most vivid childhood memory of my step father is when he violently ransacked my brother’s school bag for $1.50 and said, “F—k Dean, he can go without.” He took the boy’s lunch money, slammed the door, and went down to the TAB to place a bet on another horse destined to lose. I’ve never looked at the man the same way since. Such is the addictive power of gambling that a father would rather see his own son go hungry so he can satisfy his hunger to gamble. Gambling addiction is a disease. It consumes, controls, and destroys. It’s a monster. I know because I’ve seen it. In the long-running sitcom, The Simpsons, Homer Simpson even gave a name to the addictive power of gambling when Marge got hooked on the pokies at George Burns’ casino. He called it “Gamblor”. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/#item6949 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-depressing-truth-about-footballs-gambling-addiction/ It is hard to believe the NRL, a code which galvanises communities in two of the largest states in Australia, could be staring at financial collapse because of the Gillard Government’s gambling reforms. It is hard to believe that the AFL, the national game which enjoys the status of a religion in four states and one territory, is also facing ruin because of the mandatory pre-commitment proposal to make gamblers think about how much they are prepared to wager on poker machines before placing a bet. It is hard to believe because it is simply unbelievable. It is hard to believe because it is rubbish. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-depressing-truth-about-footballs-gambling-addiction/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-depressing-truth-about-footballs-gambling-addiction/#item6795 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-difficulties-of-giving-up-on-quiting-smoking/ They say quitting smoking is hard, but I’ve learnt the real truth. It’s not just the quitting that’s difficult (although it is), starting up again is bloody hard too. I’m not just doing this for attention; this is not a cry for help nor is it part of any quarter-life - well, a little closer to third-life - crisis. Truth be told I always enjoyed smoking and I never wanted to give it up in the first place. I started engaging in smoking when I was sixteen. I say “engaging” because I was really pretending to inhale smoke whilst holding it in my mouth before blowing it out like a clandestine burp. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-difficulties-of-giving-up-on-quiting-smoking/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-difficulties-of-giving-up-on-quiting-smoking/#item6413 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coalition-stance-on-pokies-has-nothing-to-do-with-pokies/ After more than a decade in politics, I have sadly grown used to watching the often bizarre stances taken by other pollies and wondering why they are doing what they are doing. The response of some members of the Coalition to the poker machine issue is a case in point. To truly understand the Coalition’s current position on pokies, you need to know it has nothing to do with pokies. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coalition-stance-on-pokies-has-nothing-to-do-with-pokies/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/coalition-stance-on-pokies-has-nothing-to-do-with-pokies/#item5713 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Labors-pokies-reforms-are-the-biggest-gamble-of-all/ It’s stating the obvious, but problem gamblers have a problem. They suffer from a horrible addiction – the same as alcoholics and druggies – that causes impulses they cannot resist and consequences that affect all those around them. Like all addicts, problem gamblers go to extreme lengths to get their fix. For 60 per cent, that involves committing a crime to get the cash to feed their habit. A report by private corruption investigation group Warfield & Associates found poker machines were the most common way to gamble stolen money. The study found between 2008-10 a whopping $13 million was stolen to play the pokies. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Labors-pokies-reforms-are-the-biggest-gamble-of-all/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/Labors-pokies-reforms-are-the-biggest-gamble-of-all/#item5688 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/an-extraordinary-tale-about-personal-responsibility/ It is not the done thing for one reporter to quote vast slabs of another reporter’s work. There’s one’s own ego to think of, not to mention copyright. But Darwin ABC’s morning presenter, Julia Christensen, has given her blessing to The Punch to reproduce great slabs of her interview with the Country Liberals’ member for Port Darwin, John Elferink, conducted on local radio yesterday morning. We do this as a public service. Chances are that never in your life will you have heard such a bizarre set of admissions from a public figure. Unless you were listening when the Elf, as he is known up here in the Northern Territory, last turned up on radio. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/an-extraordinary-tale-about-personal-responsibility/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/an-extraordinary-tale-about-personal-responsibility/#item4346 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines. http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rehab-1916-style-for-a-future-prime-minister/ The ABC drama “Curtin” put into focus the life of John Curtin – one of Australia’s greatest Prime Ministers. Like so many people, alcohol was Curtin’s greatest challenge. He had grown up around it with his father running several pubs. But it was during his time as the Victorian Secretary of the Timber Workers’ Union that Curtin’s fondness for the demon drink grew into a major disability. According to his biographer David Day: “the culture of the male-dominated union movement was steeped in beer” and Curtin was steeped in the culture. Suddenly in November 1915 Curtin resigned his post. He went briefly to work for the Australian Workers’ Union and then was appointed the organiser of the anti-conscription campaign being run by the Congress of Australian Trade Unions. The work was stressful and intense and his drinking continued and became worse. penberthyd@newsltd.com.au (David Penberthy) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rehab-1916-style-for-a-future-prime-minister/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/rehab-1916-style-for-a-future-prime-minister/#item2739 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:40 +0000 Everyone’s talking about poker machines these days. Our politicians and our newspapers, our clubs and pubs; everyone has an opinion on what we should and shouldn’t do with regards to the pokies. But they’re talking about numbers and policies, votes and strategies and campaigns. They’re not talking about the people who have been hurt, who are hurting still. People like me. When I was 24 years old, I had the world on a string. Life was mine for the taking. I was engaged to be married and surrounded by fantastic friends; I had my university degree framed on the wall, a great job and excellent prospects. But by the time I turned 25, life as I knew it was over. I was addicted to poker machines.