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My gambling problem
🕑 Added 2022-11-08 17:45:04 +0000 UTCHey patrons!
It's Chris here. Since we published yesterday's report on the gambling scene that's now embedded itself into Steam over the last decade, I've been thinking a lot about some of the darkest, most isolating years of my own life. Thankfully, they were some time ago now, but I think it might be useful to talk about them all the same.
And so, in case it helps somebody going through something similar, or even better explains why people need to be protected from this shit in the first place, hereβs my own experience with gambling.
Comments
Dominique Charbonneau
Thank you for your courage in sharing this Chris !
Aaron Poole-Herron
Appreciate you telling your experience β₯οΈ
Sir_Racer
Thank you Chris. I am always glad to see other people who can overcome their struggles. I come from a low income family, and I have always started gambling whenever I could not see a way out of my own or others' financial problems. Never helped, of course. I have luckily always been able to stop again with online gambling despite the toxic hooks it has in you, but I have probably lost much more money from loot boxes and battle passes, for games I did not even play anymore, which is why I have completely deleted all my accounts from Activision, EA, Ubisoft, and Epic. Thank you all for the amazing work that you do. You are literally doing good.
David Wren
Thank you for sharing about this Chris!
nooooddy
Massive respect Chris and all fellow Patreons discussing addiction. You have nothing to be ashamed of and deserve praise, respect and love. I work in the NHS and support people with serious mental health problems and/or addiction. I am humbled and proud to know so many awesome people and support them any way I can. Sadly addiction is so often misattributed to choice and behaviour. It is not. The sooner the Equality Act 2010 is amended, gambling industries are held accountable for their catastrophic public health impact and people are protected, supported and given rapid access to evidence-based treatment the fucking better. [Any UK people who want to get help: Speak to your GP, they will be cool. Or self refer to an IAPT service, they are good. Or google local Gamblers Anonymous groups.]
Garrett Totcky
Alcoholic here. 6 months, 6 days, 16 hours sober. I assume at some point I'll stop counting. Thanks for sharing, addiction is tough to talk about but super important.
Kraft Dinner
My name is Kes and I'm an alcoholic (5 years sober, thanks for asking ;) Thanks for sharing your story Chris - it speaks so much to your empathy, courage and compassion. xx
Brutus Salazaar
It takes a real man to be vulnerable and be open to this. For what you had to do to get this out there for us, as your loyal supporters, takes courage. However, take heart that the message goes out and it will reach those who need to hear it and find the help they need. Thank you Chris
Pet Pumpkin
Well wishes to you Chris. I'm glad you're in a better place now and massive respect to PMG for bringing a light to topics like this. You're all amazing!
Petrarch IcyFire
Thank you Chris. I am so happy you are in a better place now in your life.
Graham Manson
<3
Scott Darrington
I grew up in Nevada, the gambling armpit of the U.S., and I despise gambling with every fiber of my being. It's so easy to fall into then wrings people out and destroys relationships, self-control, finances, lives, you name it. Thanks for sharing your story. π₯
ChatN
Thanks for sharing your story, Chris. That takes guts.
Sam Burns
Big love Chris!
