"The start of a new journey"

I have always liked to have a little gamble on the football but nothing major. £5-10 per week max. Things took a downward turn towards the end of last year when i started to play on the online slot machines.  

Fast forward 6 months, i was in a position where i was borrowing money from the bank, from parents and in laws, all whilst hiding what it was really for.  In June, i broke down. I wasn't sleeping. i checked my online banking and looked at the money i had spent and won. One month i had deposited over £18,000. Granted the majority of that was "winnings" but even with that i was still massively down.

I reached out to West Midlands Gambling Harms before i came clean to my partner and family.  That's the best piece of advice i could give anyone who struggles with addiction. Tell whoever you need to tell. You will be amazed by how much support you will receive.

My first session was an introduction session with Luize. I struggle massively with anxiety and was adamant i only wanted one to one sessions as i didn't feel i would be able to open up to a group of strangers. Luize gently nudged me into giving the group therapy ago and i am so thankful that she did!

The sessions, although nerve-racking at first, were fantastic.  They were nothing like how i imagined them to be.  No death by power point. Luize selected the main topics from the weekly client journal ( which by the way is such a fantastic tool, but maybe could do with modernising a little bit) and we would all share our thoughts and experiences whilst picking up new skills and thinking methods along the way 

I found the sessions interesting and enjoyable and looked forward to our weekly sessions. I have now not gambled for 14 weeks and as i type this i honestly have no interest in going down that path again.  The tools they teach you over the 10 weeks will honestly make you look and reflect on life in a whole new me way.  If i do ever have the urge to gamble again i know i have it in me to take the step back and use everything taught to me over the last couple of months.

Thank you to Luize and West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic you have certainly changed my life for the better and i wouldn't hesitate in recommending you to anyone in the future.