Despite the alluring unforeseen riches that the lottery can bring, becoming a winner is not a guarantee of happiness. For some individuals, winning the lottery has turned out to be a double-edged sword that has led to financial strain.

One notable example is Jack Whittaker, who won a record-breaking $$300 million Powerball Jackpot in 2001. At the time, he was a South Carolina businessman who had a moderate income and a wife of 40 years. Initially, his win brought him glory and respect from his community, but his newfound wealth also attracted undesirable attention. Strangers arrived at his doorstep begging for money, and some even allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted his eldest granddaughter in an attempt to extort money from him.

Whittaker's life soon spiralled out of control as he struggled to adjust to his new reality. He was sued by multiple individuals claiming they had won the jackpot as well, and he was constantly pestered by promoters. His relationships with family and friends eroded slowly as they fought over his wealth, leading to a rapid decline in his mental health.

Likewise, William "Bud" Post's life began to fall apart after he won $$17 million in the Pennsylvania Solana lottery dividends in 1988. At first, he was thrilled with his fortune and began living a extravagant lifestyle. However, as time passed, his desire for fame and wealth consumed him. He made numerous poor investments and became embroiled in a property dispute with his estranged wife and his sister, who was appointed as the manager of his trust fund.

Post's world eventually came crashing down when his estranged wife claimed he had cheated on her. He also became embroiled in a disagreement over property with his sister, who accused him of stealing assets from his trust fund. Eventually, Post's trust fund was reduced to just $100 thousand due to overexpenditures.

Another tragic case is that of Abraham Shakespeare, who won $17 million in a Florida lottery in 2005. Initially, he donated money to charities for his friends and family, but as his wealth grew, so did his desire for luxury and excess. He began investing in financial schemes, including a real estate venture, but his investments went sour.

In the end, Shakespeare's life was truncated when he was killed by a rival he had befriended and given a lavish lifestyle for in the years following his win.

The stories of Abraham Shakespeare serve as warnings for the lottery's potential pitfalls. Becoming a winner can bring both comfort and stress if individuals are not prepared to handle the stress and scrutiny that comes with it. As for the advice given by John Whittaker after his win, "it's like a recipe for disaster"