[BlackVeil]

He needs to go to GA. I'd also guess he's a problem drinker - the two go hand in hand.

They do. I noticed in the earlier articles that he was gambling during the early hours of the morning - a classic sign of compulsive behaviour. Very likely, he has other serious problems as well.

It seems he has not faced up to the full picture. You were right that his statement that he only needs to cut out "excessive" gambling is a warning light.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Yup - its one thing if he goes a couple of times a year, eats a nice dinner, spends a little table time and sees a show, maybe does another couple of hours before calling it a night (and goes to bed at something approaching normal sleeping time). Its another if he's doing it at 3 AM in the same time zone where he lives.