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Thankfully things have begun to improve

I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to participate in this program as it has allowed me to regain my self respect by regaining control over my life and finances. I had suffered for a long time with issues of self worth and depression following episodes of sexual abuse as a child by an older male relative. I had previously masked these issues using various coping techniques including alcohol abuse, obsessive exercise regimes and avoidance of the formation of close relationships.

It was not until I was fortunate enough to be married in my mid forties that I knew that I could not revert to these coping techniques and so instead of seeking help for my depression I found myselfturning to the pokies to “switch off” my mental anguish. This quickly led to an addiction to the pokies and a whole series of new reasons to feel guilty and depressed. The continual lies to my wife, friends and workmates about playing the pokies and resultant economic losses placed further stresses on all these relationships. Even after being confronted by my wife about these losses and promising to her and myself I’d never do it again I found myself breaking these incidents and this led to her moving out of our home as she felt that although she still loved me she could not trust me to be honest with her or myself while I still had this addiction. I can honestly say that emerging from the darkness of this addiction has given me a new outlook on life and thankfullythings have begun to improve in my relationship with my wife. Although I know that I still have a lot to prove to her and myself, I now feel that I am capable of regaining her trust and love. I know I would not have been able to do so without this program and the wonderful support of all those involved in providing this service to the community. I have no reservations in recommending this program to anyone wishing to rid themselves of this horrid addiction andregaining control of their lives.
Chase your dreams, not your losses
The Statewide Gambling Therapy Service is provided by the Southern Adelaide Local Network, and is funded through SA Health
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