Reliving the Past

continued from page 4
and I knew right away that she knew what was going on. She walked in, touched my cheek and just said, “I love you and we need you back.” We both cried, and I gave Mandy Nick’s number to call, but as soon as she left the office I went right to
the computer ready to bet on that evening’s sporting events. I called a good friend, Bob from GA, and asked him to take me to a GA meeting. As soon as I walked in and humbled myself in front of others like me, the pain started to go away. I knew that I could start over again and this is just what I have done. I
checked into residential
treatment at Problem Gambling Services in Windsoron January
7, 2007 and I am just
completing the three week
program. I have learned so much about myself in these last three weeks. I learned about my feelings and about my thoughts and most importantly, about my addiction. I realized that I had
never really accepted the fact that I was suffering from an illness. I started lying before I started gambling, as I had to lie to convince myself that I could gamble again. I have made four amazing friends here at Problem Gambling Services: Jake, Fabio, Nora and Christine, and we share our deepest and darkest secrets with each other. The
counselors here are all so
knowledgeable and together with all the staff they are some of the most caring people I have ever met. I have been given the tools to make my life better, and to try and improve the relationships I have destroyed, but I know it’s not going to be an easy road. I am currently in debt of about $275,000.00 and there are many people out there whose trust I have betrayed, but I haven’t gambled in 92 days. Each day is getting better and with everything that I have learned here at Problem
Gambling Services and if I take things one day at a time, I have a chance. I am 41 years old and starting over, but at least today I am beginning to know who I am.

Resources
Windsor Regional Problem
Gambling Services
2109 Ottawa Street, Suite 500
Windsor, Ontario, N8Y 1R8
Tel: (519) 254-2112
Fax: (519) 254-0093
E-mail: probgamb@wrh.on.ca

All of our services are professional, confidential, and free. They include:

  • Crisis Intervention
    Assessment
  • Out-patient counselling
  • Intensive day treatment
  • Residential treatment
  • Aftercare and follow-up
    24 hour/7 day a week follow-up
  • Community education and support

Gambling Treatment Research Centre
University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor, ON N9B 3P4
519-253-3000 ext 3709
www.uwindsor.ca/pgrg

Ontario Problem Gambling
Helpline
1-888-230-3505 (24 hours)
Province wide referral assistance
You can place a free, confidential
call ANYTIME

Gamblers Anonymous
24 hour hotline
519-971-5215
www.gamblersanonymous.org
 
The Chase is published and distributed in partnership with
Bingo Industry Group
Look for our next issue June 2007
 
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