I live in the middle of what many of us in Valley Center affectionately refer to as Loser's Loop -- a circle of tribal casinos, all built within the past five years. I've been to the casinos a few times with friends, stuffed myself on a few all-you-can-eat dinners and lost a few bucks.

Like many people around here, my life is much the same as it was before the casinos.

Lately, however, I've been wondering how San Diegans in general have been faring since legal gambling has become so widespread, acceptable and accessible.

I called the San Diego Gamblers Anonymous hot line and was put through to "Mike L.," a spokesman for the organization. Mike, who does not use his full name as a rule of anonymity for GA, said he is in his 15th year of recovery as a compulsive gambler. He said he once a successful businessman, whose enjoyment of gambling became an addiction. It led him to embezzle money from his firm, to attempt suicide, and to do time in jail.

Mike is now an active member of San Diego Gamblers Anonymous, where he attends meetings throughout the county and staffs the hot line. He told me that 10 years ago there were five groups of Gamblers Anonymous holding weekly meetings in the San Diego area, including Hemet and Temecula. Now 28 groups meet each week in those areas.

Many San Diegans at Gamblers Anonymous have a similar story, he said: They used to go to Las Vegas a couple of times a year and never had a problem, but now with so many casinos so close to home, they find themselves unable to stop going.

A core belief of the Gamblers Anonymous program is that moderation is not possible for a compulsive gambler-- abstinence is the only way to go if recovery is the goal.

It's easy to get hooked on casino gambling. Cash coupons for "privileged" card-holders, the enticements of free meals and hotel rooms can all be pretty heady, especially when other parts of your life are sagging at the edges. ATMs, credit and debit machines are right at hand when your cash runs out, and if all else fails, there are always high-interest payday advance loans.

Ten years ago about 80 percent of the people who found their way to Gamblers Anonymous were male; now only about 60 percent are male. The casinos, with their slots and video poker, are particularly appealing to women, although many are closet gamblers, seldom bragging about their wins, according to the California Council on Problem Gaming.

The council estimates that more than 1 million adults and 100,00 juveniles in California are experiencing compulsive gambling problems.

It's those 100,000 juveniles who are most disturbing to me. Sports gambling is rampant in our high schools. Some kids even have bookies who extend lines of credit, the council reports. Even though legal gambling is restricted people who are legally adults -- over 18 -- an increasing number of teenagers borrow money, miss class, pawn items and lie to hide their gambling addictions, and the Internet makes it easy, according to Gamblers Anonymous.

What also makes it easy is the fact that legal gambling has become a common and acceptable form of entertainment. As gambling becomes more pervasive, it's a safe bet that the problems associated with gambling will too.

Columnist Brigid Brett lives in Valley Center. E-mail" Bridigbrett@aol.com.