North Belfast man on 30 year gambling addiction and helping others in recovery

A man from North Belfast has opened up on the impact gambling addiction has had on his life, and how now in his recovery he's dedicated to helping others living with the addiction.

The man, who wished to remain anonymous, lived with a gambling addiction for over 30 years, which began through card games when he was just 12-years-old. After getting a job and working long hours, he then progressed to going to the bookmakers and spending hours using their machines.

A member of the Gamblers Anonymous group at the Grace Family Centre in Ardoyne, he started attending sessions 12 years ago, and said he wouldn't still be here if it wasn't for the support he has received.

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Now, he's on a mission to help support others. Speaking to Belfast Live about the hold addiction had on his life, he said: "I started gambling when I was around 12 or 13 at school, playing pitch and toss and cards. It just progressed and when I started working and earning money, I was working long hours, then just going to the bookmakers after.

"I was putting all of my money into the machines. I got paid on a Thursday at one o'clock and all my wages were going very quickly, I would have no money at all by the Tuesday. That went on for around 30 years.

"I would go into the bookmakers with £600 in my pocket and the jackpot on the machines would be £4. It wasn't about the money for me, it was the buzz you would get from the machine. I just couldn't leave.

"I had nothing left and if I did, I was back the next day. I was never going to win anyway because it wasn't the money for me, it was the buzz from the machines. If I won money I would miss work and go down to the machines all day, and lose all the money."

When he first went to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting, he said it wasn't something he wanted to do and after a few years found himself relapsing. However, for the past 12 years he has been regularly attending meetings, and now helps counsel new members.

He said: "I went to GAone night and I didn't really want to go, because you don't want to say you're an addict. I was there for around nine years, then I slipped back again for a week, but I've been going to GA for 12 years now.

"When new people come into the centre, we tell them to take it one day at a time, don't look at the next day or the next week. Just focus on staying off it for one day, the days will turn into weeks, and the months into years.

"When I first walked into GA 20 odd years ago, it was a room full of old men. It's hard for anyone to make that first step, but it's the greatest thing you'll do. "

As for when new members attend the group, they are counselled by one of the older members and asked to answer 20 questions relating to how gambling impacts their life, for instance whether it has impacted their eating habits or mood.

Older members then tell their own stories, with new members asked at the end if they'd like to speak. The group is "anonymous" in that members will only be asked to supply their first name.

"Most of the time when new members are asked if they'd like to speak, 99% of them will because they're in a bad way," he said.

"Our stories may be 20 or 30 years old but they're just as fresh as today. New people come in and I'll tell my story, and there's will be the exact same."

He said they're currently seeing an influx in people coming to the group who have become addicted to online gambling. As for advice for new members, he said we would urge people not to hesitate in asking for help.

"Addiction can affect anyone. We have had people from all walks of life come through our doors," he added.

"You could maybe point out an alcoholic or a drug addict, but gambling is a hidden disease, you couldn't spot a compulsive gambler on the street. Something we're seeing is people becoming addicted to online bingo and online gambling, people have lost thousands on it. They're just sitting in the house, it's too easy.

"People talk about waking up in the morning with a lump in their stomach - it's the feeling you have when you've lost everything. To now be able to wake up in the morning and not feel sick, it's a nice feeling.

"I always want to give back to help others. I would probably be dead now if it wasn't for GA."

Gambler's Anonymous meet every Monday evening from 7-8pm at the Grace Family Centre on 77-95 Alliance Avenue in Ardoyne.

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