How I Got out of the Bookies

Email To a Friend 08 June 2009 My name is Steve. I am 23 years old and I am a compulsive gambler. I am a university student living at home with my parents. I have been going through a tough time with my parents due to my issues with gambling and the fact that I’m falling behind with University coursework. My problem started in secondary school during my breaks, when my friends and I would play cards in the cafeteria. I have since joined 12 websites geared towards poker and roulette.

I love the adrenaline rush that I receive when playing games. I didn’t notice that I had a problem until I started stealing money out of my parents’ wallet at night. I also was given a warning at my university when I was caught playing cards in the library for money. I have tried to obtain work; however, I could never focus because I was always chasing the rush of playing games for money. My father threatened to kick me out of the house twice and also threatened to stop paying my tuition at the university. My mother referred me to a helpline that treating addictions to Gambling, where I was able to receive help channeling my addictive energy into positive and reinforcing activities. I have been free from gambling now for 8 months and although I still have the urge to join my friends in dice and card games, I don’t indulge. I keep in mind how much my parents love me and their investments into my future. I really don’t want to hurt them and want them to be proud of me.

I have since had permissions set on my computer so that I could only search the internet for study related activities and not give in to temptation.

The fact that I nearly lost everything is what motivates me to refrain from Gambling my life away. I have started a new job and enjoy the camaraderie that I get now being around friends. I go to local meetings as well to help me along with the process of my recovery. My particular group is comprised of diverse individuals with various addictions, which helped me to realise that we all struggle with our own temptations for thrill seeking and have the inner power to overcome our weaknesses and get on with life

Steve Ingham, Surrey

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