What People Are Saying

— Sarah

“We heard about a group session that they were running, and I decided to go along. It was nice to be in a room with people who knew what you were going through. To a certain degree, everyone has a different story.

I finally just laid my cards on the table, and I told them. They invite partners along, which was a huge moment for me, because it meant that I had to listen to how it affected the person next to me. I think that was probably a big turning point for me.

There is help and things will get better. So don't think that it won't, because I used to think like that. I used to think it was the end of the world, it was the end of my life, it was the worst, but it's not. There is help. I plan on being happy and healthy.”

— David

“I think speaking to a counsellor helped unpack the reasons why, which I believe can make sense of it all, and kick the addiction and just start enjoying life again and not being too consumed by the addiction of gambling.

My advice is to seek help. Talk to someone, talk to a family member, talk to someone that you believe potentially won't judge. It's going to be hard. The conversation you're going to have is going to be a real tough one… Don’t go in there thinking about how they are going to act, what their response will be. The response might surprise you. You know they might go ‘it's okay. I want to help you’.

I just want to be the best version of myself. That would be step number one is to do that. I believe if I can be the better version of myself and put in some goals, both in a workspace and personal space, then the outcomes will look after themselves.

— Terry

“I’ve been gambling for a long, long time. Probably 20 years. I got myself in a real pickle the last few years with a stealing offense, and we were really desperate. I’m married with a family and got myself into a real mess - owing a lot of money. We went into Centrecare and saw a counsellor.

Because I was in such dire straits, I think it really made a difference initially, into just calming the situation down and helping me deal with what I had to deal with.

I can tell people now, I can face people now… and there’s no secrets anymore, so I feel really at ease.(My) advice would be to not be frightened and just to say whatever you want to say, with that, you’re not going to get judged.

You might get advice, but it’s not a judgment. So just go in there with an open mind and relax really, you know, don’t stress about it.”