Ask A.J.: I’m prone to compulsive gambling, and my family wants me to go to a casino. How do I say no?

A.J. has struggled with compulsive gambling on and off over the years .

He has been very careful about anything gambling-adjacent, even if it doesn't technically “count” as gambling.

His family thinks he's a childish, irresponsible flake who can’t be trusted with money, women, or heavy responsibilities.

His sister wants him to go to a casino with her and her brother.

A.J. didn't want to go to a Grateful Dead concert because he was afraid he'd make other people uncomfortable.

It took him eight years to build up the confidence to do it, but it's important to recognize that this needs to be healed.

If your family doesn’t want to do the bare minimum here and not antagonize your decision to heal, that’s their problem.