"There is hope for everyone"

When I started my journey with West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic, I was at the point where I was giving myself deadlines in life. I was at the point where I would tell myself - If things don't improve by this date, I will end it all. I had nearly lost everything. At the start of my therapy, I had already been homeless for around 4 months and was sleeping on the streets, with no possessions, no mobile phone and no contact with my son. The only thing I had for me was that I managed to hold down a full time job, despite sleeping a park bench at night with no blanket, and just a few layers of clothing on. I had no one to turn to, I was depressed, cold and lonely.

I had reached out to every organisation possible to assist with my living conditions but nobody was interested due to my working full time. Having this job was the only thing that kept me alive and quitting was not an option. Even after a stay in hospital, I was told that I would not receive any support with accommodation.

In an attempt to get my life back on track, I contacted WMGHC and was asked to fill in form which was used to determine my levels of gambling, my health and mental wellbeing. I scored one of the highest possible scores which shown I was several at risk to myself and my gambling was a big concern. I was then contacted urgently by someone at WMGHC and was booked onto the next available group session.

On the group sessions, I talked to other people who I felt were on the same path as me and we had something in common and we connected as a group. The therapist was on a level of understand too and spoke to us as normal people. I felt she was genuine and she actually cared about us and wanted to help us change. After the first session, I felt empowered to self-exclude myself from land based casinos, something I've wanted to do for a while!

Unfortunately most of my spend was through unregulated casinos, so self excluding wasn't an option with them. I managed to stop  gambling completely for around 3 weeks and unfortunately the urges took over and I started gambling again.

Every week in our group sessions, we are asked how our progress is going and if we have had any set backs. I was worried about telling everyone about my set back but I felt in a safe space and I decided I would be honest about it. I was told that it was not a mistake and it was a simple learning curve, and that a lot of people have set backs and we discussed what caused the temptations and how we can overcome this now.

At the time of writing this, it is approximately a month after the sessions finished and I am happy to say that I have found accommodation, I have a mobile phone, possessions and most importantly, I am now back to building my bond with my family, extended family and my son.

I am now on track to look at clearing all debts only the next few years and feel much happier in myself. I would highly recommend WMGHC.