STORIES OF HOPE

Explore stories about how members of our community took charge of their recovery and made a new start for themselves.

Sally’s Story

Story summary: Sally was a big risk taker who did not believe in luck. Initially she went to casinos with dates and friends, but eventually ended up going every night on her own. She felt important and like a different person at the casino. She began lying to family and friends and borrowing money to gamble. She gambled to escape from growing guilt and shame. She won a big jackpot but immediately gambled it all away again. Sally had a realisation that the chance of going in with money and coming out with none was greater than coming out with more than went in with. She stopped going to casino and now keeps busy to avoid thinking about gambling.

By Chris OddSox

Chris’s Story Aka @Manitowanv

Story summary: After more than 20 years of depression and problems related to gambling, Chris attempted suicide. During this time Chris hid his problems from everyone due to feelings of shame and guilt. Following participation in two 14 day residential treatment programs Chris has not gambled for 2 years. He describes his former life as “living in the shadows. In the darkness.” Now Chris lives in the light.

By Chris OddSox

Game5’s Story

Story summary: Gams5 became quickly hooked on bingo when she played it to escape from all her problems. After four years of problematic gambling she went to GA and quit completely for two years. However, she then binge gambled for five more years and went in and out of GA. She went to some spiritual retreats and finally realised that she had to stop blaming others and take responsibility.

By Chris OddSox

Dissy’s Story

Story summary: Dissy started gambling 28 years ago whilst in the navy. He gambled at the casino to hide feelings of inadequacy and convinced himself that he was gambling to give his family a better life. Dissy eventually went to a GA meeting and realised he was not alone. He kept on going to GA, learned to like himself again and how to be truthful with himself.

By Chris OddSox

Dave 62’s Story

Story summary: Dave62 considered himself an expert on international soccer betting. Forty five years after his first bet, he walked out of the betting shop with the thought that it was a losers club and he was a loser. Gambling had destroyed all his important relationships and he was gambling to escape. There were no GA meetings nearby but he did use a GA chatroom. Finally, he attended a GA meeting 80 miles away, broke down and opened up about everything.

By Chris OddSox

Writer’s Story

Story summary: Writer went on trips with her Mother to Las Vegas and California to gamble. She always had to bet max on the machines. She went to GA for 75 days and didn’t gamble, but didn’t seem to resolve issues. Her mother died and she gambled away her inheritance money. She attended a residential treatment program, but it was mostly about drugs and alcohol. She still went to the casino after leaving the program. Finally, she decided to start writing instead of gambling and has not gambled in 79 days.

By Chris OddSox

Puddsley’s Story

Story summary: Puddsley suffered emotional and physical abuse as a teenager. She began gambling after the birth of her son, first Bingo then on VLTs after which began to lose control rapidly. She hid her problem from family and friends as her problem got worse. She worked as a dealer in a casino. She attended counselling for six or seven moths but then relapsed. Eventually, she hit rock bottom and attended her first GA meeting and received three weeks of in-patient treatment. She hasn’t gambled for 473 days.

By Chris OddSox

Elijah’s Story

Story summary: Elijah gambled compulsively for 20 years. He lost his marriage, family and possessions. He went to GA for year, then AA whilst stationed in Iceland. He had low self-esteem, cheated, lied and womanised. He met and married a woman who was more accepting of who he was and attended counselling as part of a gambling study, then attended GA meetings. After six months gambling free, he had a breakthrough that recovery was possible. He got a sponsor and took part in Gamtalk and another online support site. He recovered from cancer and was supported through it by GA members.

By Chris OddSox

Aaron’s Story

Story summary: Aaron lost control of gambling on VLTs and he lost his job and his family. He borrowed money everywhere and lied to family and friends. He tried GA several times but eventually quit gambling after spending 26 days at a residential treatment facility for addictions. He now attends regular GA meetings and has a sponsor he can call or go see at any time.

By Chris OddSox

Fading away’s story

Story summary: Fading away experienced stress and some traumatic events prior to developing a gambling problem. She first went to a casino with husband for fun. She ended up going before work, during lunch break, after work and spending her whole pay cheque. Her gamblimg problems lasted ten years. Eventually, she went to counselling and gets online support at Gamtalk.

By Chris OddSox

My Story

Story summary: My story’s husband and son had addiction problems with alcohol and drugs. Her son died of an overdose and she began going to the casino more and more often. Gambling was on her mind all the time. She started going to GA and hasn’t gambled since July 10th 2012.

By Chris OddSox

Shelmar’s story – I gambled to feel connected to my mom and brother who passed away

Story summary: Shelmar gambled to feel connected to his Mother and Brother who passed away. He also gambled to escape from the stress of his work and personal life. As his gambling debts grew, Shelmar started to steal money from his employer. After getting caught, Shelmar was diagnosed as a Pathological Gambler and began a treatment program as well as attending GA meetings. Shelmar self-excluded from his local casino and hasn’t gambled in more than 19 months.

By Chris OddSox