Bill, a strong, active and spirited man in his late 60’s, was heading home after attending a family function. Suddenly his car was struck on his door by another car that had run the red light. Bill immediately lost consciousness. He was transported in ambulance to the hospital. Lucy, his older daughter was notified by the Police. Bill was in critical condition.Fortunately, three years ago, right after losing his wife, Bill had pre-planned for a time such like this. He had contacted the family attorney and had asked of him to prepare his Advance Health Care Directives (AHCD). In that document, Bill had named Lucy, his next of kin, his Health Care Surrogate.Commonly know as a “Living Will”, the AHCD is a legal document in which you state your medical preferences in case you become incapacitated or unable to speak, because of any illness, accident or medical condition. Do you want your life to be prolonged by artificial means? If so, to what extend and by what means? Do you want to receive blood transfusions, respiratory support or cardiac resuscitation?And, what if you become unable to speak, how are you going to communicate your preferences to your medical providers?This is when an AHCD comes into play. In an AHCD not only do you express your health care wishes but also you will appoint someone with power of attorney to make care and treatment decisions on your behalf. You will provide instructions for everything you have a concern for, regarding your health care. This document will speak for you when you are unable to communicate these decisions yourself. Your medical surrogate will act as your agent. This person will voice your decisions.This is how an Advance Health Care Directive works. Before having your attorney draft your AHCD you should contact the person that you have in mind to serve as your medical surrogate. You must communicate to this person that you wish him or her to act as your agent and represent you in case of a medical emergency or situation that could result in your inability to communicate. Talk to this person about what your preferences are in regard to your health care decisions. This would include special treatment you want at the end of life, your desire for surgical procedures and organ donation, for example.You should obtain this persons acceptance before making the appointment in writing. You should do the same with a second individual. This individual will be your alternate surrogate, that is, she or he will represent you before your medical providers, in case the first one is unavailable to take charge. You will then ask your attorney to prepare the form, according to your instructions. Or, you can prepare the form yourself, by getting a model on line from an expert in the field. You should give copies of your AHCD to each person named in it as your agent, to your primary care physician and keep your original in a safe place.When choosing who you are going to designate as your medical surrogate, you should consider that person’s proximity to the area where you reside, to the hospitals in your neighborhood and to your medical providers’ facilities. You should take into consideration that person’s relationship to you and how much you can rely on him or her to take this responsibility. After all, this will be the person that will consent or refuse to any care, diagnostic and treatment medical service offered to address any physical or mental condition from which you might be suffering.The the Police contacted her, Lucy pulled a copy of her father’s AHCD in her home’s safe and went directly to the Emergency Room. She identified who she was and presented the document to the nurses at the station. The nurses made copies of the document, took note of Lucy’s contact information and filed Bill’s AHCD in his medical chart. Every time that a nurse or a doctor opened Bill’s chart, there was his AHCD.Bill had six broken ribs and some lacerations in his face and abdomen. He became conscious after the effect of sedatives. Lucy had fallen asleep on his beside. She had been able to get some rest, knowing that everything would be taken care of the exact same way his father had wished.Consider your options early on and ensure the quality of life that is important to you later. This helps you avoid having your loved ones having to decide critical decisions under stress or in times of emotional turmoil.

The gambling scene in America can be traced back to centuries. Gambling has remained to be a part of the American dream life ever since the inception of lotteries in New Hampshire. The history of American gambling can be broadly classified in two. One relating to the games which come from the legacy of the Indian tribes who used to play some recreational games for amusement to monetary exchange .Millions of dollars exchange hands at the gambling tables and it is a major source of revenue for more then half of US states. Internet has played an important role in popularizing gaming and making it reach the deepest of the people. Casinos, which can be seen over half of America, are the main centers for gambling in America. They are making a lot of money and the business is seen to be a prospective venture. States which are minting money out of gambling are becoming a source of inspiration for the others to follow. Thus it can be said that gambling in casinos is now not confined to Las Vegas Nevada. Gambling is present all over America and is steadily on the rise.The holistic approach to maximize out of gambling has given rise to complete townships that cater to the needs of the gamers. Now the cities are coming up with a complete set up casinos, entertainment parks, luxurious hotels, fabulous restaurants and many other peripherals to make them complete. These are the most sought after destinations of the avid and new both types of gamblers.A gaming commission set up in each state regulates this business and thus there is a eye watching them. But gambling has found its way bye-passing the rule of law. Charitable gambling is common place and is at equal level with the conventional gambling. Every city once in a while organizes a raffle or any bingo event. The charitable boards and commissions take care that the charitable gaming organisations do not loose their track and stick to their purpose.But internet gambling or technically called as “off shore” gambling is taking big strides in America. Although the US justice department has pronounced as an offence but there is no explicit action that lies against the offenders. The internet gambling is a worse form of gambling as it has its reach in to the deepest of territory. The addicted gamblers find easy access to the gambling sites. The law also cannot take a firm stand as there is no law governing such misuse of gambling as of now. There are severe researches going around the country to find the economic and social impact of gambling. The law needs to be codified and has to be brought within the framework of the legislation.The gamblers and the gambling promotional companies have come up with cruise gambling. It is a two way beneficial method for the gamblers. First of all it attracts much higher number of people due to the extra special features of such tours. Secondly it takes the scene of gambling in to the waters of the country. This has made it difficult for the legislators to make a complete law on this issue.Having set many commissions and boards to monitor gambling, the governments is trying to do the best it can. But as long as it is fetching revenues to the states gambling is here to stay in America.

Why is slot machine gambling so addictive? Why is it coined the “crack cocaine of addiction”? Why is slot machine gambling considered to be the MOST addictive form of gambling that exists today?I will try to answer these questions in this article. The questions are quite significant, and the answers can help to explain why so many people have gotten hooked on the “slots”, “pokies”, and “fruit machines”.Slot machines use what is known to psychological behaviorists as “intermittent reinforcement” Basically, what this means is that a winning hand on a slot machine only happens sometimes.This type of reinforcement is known to be very powerful because an individual is only rewarded at certain intervals. This can create an addictive reaction , resulting obsession quite easily. When you reward only sometimes., it is sure to create an obsessive reaction.In addition, studies have shown that the neurotransmitter dopamine plays an important role in developing a gambling addiction. Dopamine is known as the “feel good” chemical. The illusions of patterns in slot machines, and the intermittent winning spins create a rush of dopamine in the brain that makes people desire continued play.You have probably heard in the past that gambling addicts are “addicted to the action”and not really as interested in winning money like they may think they are. This is because the dopamine rush is so powerful and pleasurable, that the action of gambling becomes euphoric in its’ own right. It is a means it itself rather than a means to an end.The role of dopamine is in the brain is very significant and powerful. Individuals with Parkinsons Diseases who were taking medications to increase dopamine in their brains were becoming addicted to gambling, specifically, slot machine gambling. Once these individuals stopped the medication, their addictive and obsessive gambling stopped. This happened to a significant amount of people taking these types of medications.Slot machine addiction is considered to be the “crack cocaine” of gambling for a few different reasons.Crack cocaine is one of the most highly addictive drugs that exists today. Slot machine gambling is also considered to be the most addictive form of gambling… hands down.The two can also be compared to each other because of the very quick, accelerating progression of the addiction. A person can hit total despair and devastation with a slot machine addiction in one to three years. Other forms of gambling do not accelerate as quickly.Another comparison is how both forms of addiction can create such debasement, despondency and despair because of the power and intensity of the addictive substance/behavior.Stealing, prostitution, drugs, loss of job, marriage, and finances are common with both of these addictions. You may have heard horror stories of individuals with either of these addictions. These stories are all too common.As you can see, it is very easy to compare slot machine addiction to crack cocaine addiction. The common characteristics of both addictions is quite impressive.Why is Slot Machine Addiction Considered The MOST Addictive Form of Gambling?This question is related to the above two areas that I have covered, except for a few other concepts which I believe are worth noting:o Slot machines are designed by psychologists and other specialists who are specifically instructed to design slot machines to seduce and addict people.
o The new video mulit-line electronic slot machines have graphics and colors that are very compelling and stimulating to the eye.
o The music in video slot machines is very stimulating, repetitive, seductive , and truly reinforcing. There is strong subliminal suggestion in this.
o The bonus rounds in video slot machines can encourage continued play, even amidst great losses, since bonus rounds are very exciting and provide a rush.
o The speed of play, and the speed of modern slot machines keeps your adrenaline pumping, especially with all of the above factors.
o The jackpots in slot machines can be huge, however, the chances of winning these jackpots are equivalent to winning the powerball lottery, if not more improbable.
o Slot machines can be a place to “zone out”. Today’s slot machines can put you into a hypnotizing trance that is hard to break out of.
o Slot machines require little or no skill, making it easy to just sit there and push the buttons, without a thought, forethought, or contemplation.
o It is very easy to keep playing slot machines because all accept dollar bills, and give players coupons upon ending play. Money loses its’ value and becomes “monopoly” money.
o ATM Machines are usually in close proximity to the slot machines, again, encouraging continued play.
o Many slot machines use denominations of 1 cent to 5 cents. This fools the gambler into thinking that they are not spending much. What is not being said, however, is that the maximum bet can be as high as $15 to $20 per spin. Is this really a penny or nickel machine?