When we're talking about Basement Medicine, we're talking about the Subterranean Homesick Blues. We're talking about what you gotta have, what you think you cannot live without.  We're talking about what brings you briefly to an illusion of Home.  Doesn't matter what It is: work till you drop, Vicodin, your kid's good grades, another inch off your hips, another glass of wine, another pair of shoes, one more kiss, one more Max Bet on your favorite slot machine.  

And when we're talking about Basement Medicine, we're talking about antidotes. Johnny's in the basement, mixing up the medicine, I'm on the pavement, thinking about the government... Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues.  The medicine is temporary relief.  Thinking about the government is temporary relief. Talking to the government is the beginning of mixing up the antidote.

It's no accident that the Twelve Steps of all Anonymous programs end with a call to action.  Gamblers Anonymous' Twelfth Step is my favorite: Having made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to carry this message to other compulsive gamblers. Keith Whyte, director of the National Council on Problem Gambling asks us to be part of carrying the message of gambling recovery.  I've written before that funding for gambling addiction prevention, treatment and education is far from adequate. If you can, please respond to Keith's call for action.  If you can't be in Washington yourself, please pass this post on to others who might be able to.  There isn't one of us who cannot contact our Senators and Representatives.