Yesterday we learned that, for the foreseeable future, bars and restaurants in Oregon are shut down for dine-in/drink-in customers. Today, we learned that the area's casinos Illani, Spirit Mountain, Chinook Winds, are also shutting down. The area's few poker rooms are also shutting down or in the process.

Except for the lottery options at your local convenience store (Keno, Megabucks, Powerball, etc.), the options for gamblers in this state have disappeared.

For those who have gambling issues or it is a large part of their social or recreational lives, this is going to be a shock. Perhaps it will give some people who have been in a perpetual spiral time to heal. Perhaps some will not be able to cope with the lack of playing options and do rash things. As someone who, in the past, has battled with my own gambling demons, I understand the power lure of the endorphins that are generated while gambling. Some compare it to the highs of drugs or alcohol.

Perhaps this period of "drying out" for the problem gamblers will be a good thing. In fact, I know it will. If you know someone like this, be kind to them. Their withdrawls from it are no less valid or difficult than that of an alcoholic or chronic drug user quitting cold turkey.