Success Stories

[Jessica]

I started this challenge thinking I couldn't do it, that the whole thing was a little bit wishy washy. I found myself thinking how could this even help. The same day I started the challenge I also contacted gamblers help and started seeing a counsellor and financial advisor. I was really surprised that with the help of a set out program, ALOT of willpower and not wanting to let myself down, I managed to get to Day 70 without spending a single dime on gambling in any form. I must say this is amazing as I have flushed at least $100,000 over 9 years and I work in the gaming industry surrounded by the crap. I applaud anyone who tries this but I must also add its not up to anyone but yourself to realise your better than this, it takes hard work retraining your brain and you can actually do it!

Wooo
Thank you for listening to a little ramble on my story

[Charlotte (facilitator)]

That's terrific Jessica - it's always an inspiration to hear of someone's succes, so thanks for sharing. It is indeed hard work to retrain the brain, but it can happend, and the benefits are plenty. I'm wondering what's changed for you since you stopped gambling? And are there particular things you've found helpful that other people might like to hear about?

All the best,
Charlotte

[Scott1]

Just dropping in with the quick version - I'm almost two years pokie-free now after they almost ruined me. I received invaluable help from a local organisation (NSW Far North Coast) which helped retrain my brain - it helped me to think differently about pokie machines and gambling in general. I still gamble on occasion, but aside from two large-ish relapses involving roulette and sports betting, I've been very well behaved these past two years. These days, if and when I gamble, I feel like a true recreational gambler as opposed to a compulsive/degenerate one - I'm now throwing $10 on Keno once every few weeks, instead of punting away my paycheck every week on the machines. The biggest difference I notice now is my mentality - I don't give a **** if my $10 yields nothing, nor do I have any compulsion to persevere with my numbers and chase the $10 I've lost - half the time I don't even care enough to check my ticket before leaving! My biggest issue in the past was being unable to quit - even when I was winning. Doesn't matter how strong your addiction is - nobody is born a problem gambler - you learned that behavior, and it can be unlearned too.

I'm not a high earner, but I managed to repay almost $20k worth of gambling related debt within 15 months, finishing last September. Days one and two of my 100 day challenge I physically broke down into tears upon reflection of what I'd been doing to myself, and the anxiety of facing that mountain of debt was crippling. I started with $25 a week until I'd rebuilt a small savings fund for life expenses, and from there I started repaying larger amounts as I could afford it. I'm proof that it doesn't matter how deep the hole gets - the first step doesn't have to be a big one, just as long as you take it.

[ang]

hi scott, its really good to read that you have turned your life around for the better, and to hear that you have repaid so much in a short time, congratulations on that, i find it interesting what you said about the brain needs to be retrained, i think that would be true as even though you know that you cant win its hard to stop playing the machines and it is like you are in some sort of trance,many a time ive come home and still heard the music that they play all night long, im going to make sure that i keep resisting the urge to go and keep chipping away at my debt as reading your story has inspired me even more

[Herc]

I have been pathological gambler, and I managed to heal.
https://youtu.be/Oa9wNU8uNB8

[Dark Reality of Esports]

Hi everyone, I am a 20 y.o male who was engulfed by the world of online gambling when during my teenage years. I have since overcome this addiction but I wanted to discuss underage online gambling with you all. Some of you may or may not have heard of this but it is currently an issue that we must talk about in order to help those who are suffering from an addiction or obsession. There is a lack of information and awareness regarding this issue so we must do all that we can to reach out to those that need help. Without your help in spreading awareness, it will continue to grow and affect teenagers for times to come as it did with myself. The controversial issue of online underage gambling is something you may not think is prevalent in our society because you don't hear much about it but I can tell you that it is a big issue that I personally found very difficult to overcome. We must address this issue because the children of today are the leaders of the future. My aim is to spread awareness on this issue and provide parents with the right information so that they can prevent this from happening and help their children if it has happened already. If you're interested in this topic at all you can discuss it down below or message me. I've recently started a blog which aims to educate and inform society about this issue and provide tips and advice on how to overcome the issue through my personal experience and research that I have done on this topic. You can find all the information on my blog www.darkrealityofesports.wordpress.com
If this affects you please remember to stay strong and avoid the urges.
I've been through it and I know how you feel.

[Dave68]

It's funny in a way as i didn't realise how long ago i posted here, it was not long after my 100 days. It's probably near 900 days now as it's 30 months, and i still wonder why i was caught up so much playing the machines and losing my money.

Well i probably can answer one question, i do enjoy playing the games. But now it's on the facebook app, and i just play the online and free pokies on that, and happily turn them off when i get tired of them (or lose all my free tokens). In a way they remain educational to me, because seriously if i played real machines with the same lack of success as i do with the tokens, i'd be equally as badly off as i was when playing them.

It still kind of reminds me of happier times..sometimes i just lose myself in them and think of those halcyon days of '99 and '00....when i'd go to the casino so often. Then reality hits and i realise how foolish i was, to continue to go up there, often even 4-5 times a week, as well as play in my home town at times too. I'd have spent dozens of hours a week playing the machines, and feeding them untold amounts of my money.

The thought now of reaching into my pocket or wallet and putting in even a single dollar now is a ghastly thought, and that's the key for me. To break the nexus of associating playing them with needing money to do so. Now it's free for me, i just log on, get my free coins, build it up over a few days and play for maybe 15-20-30 minutes until they run out or i get sick of them. Not a cent spent, and my wallet and bank balance remains undamaged. Sadly for me i'll never likely recover from spending over $200K on the stupid things before stopping, but can now at least say that the scourge of losing money has gone, and that's something i'll never see myself ever doing again.

[pamela]

Hi Dave..I think we all can reflect on the money and time we wasted playing the pokies..you are lucky you can play the online games..I gave them up too..I guess we all deal with it differently..I will never put another dollar in a machine.although I have to admit sometimes I do miss them but not enough to play them again

[Troy]

Well is has been 108 days since my last bet!!! Finally debt free after being down $18k. Couldn't do it without my wife and family support! Also my self exclusion to all the gambling sites have helped!

I was severely addicted to online gambling and horses off and on for a few years. I ended up getting professional help from a psychologist and man did it do wonders. No urges to go back and my relationship with my wife and kids is the best it's been in a long time.

So happy I have kicked this crazy addiction especially with all the constant reminders in the media and advertising. So glad that I made the change!

[pamela]

What a great outcome for you Troy..enjoy your new and improved life