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, hereโs my own experience with gambling.
Comments
Thank you for your courage in sharing this Chris !
Dominique Charbonneau
2022-11-16 18:02:57 +0000 UTCAppreciate you telling your experience โฅ๏ธ
Aaron Poole-Herron
2022-11-10 12:27:52 +0000 UTCThank 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.
Sir_Racer
2022-11-09 17:57:08 +0000 UTCThank you for sharing about this Chris!
David Wren
2022-11-09 12:50:34 +0000 UTCMassive 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.]
nooooddy
2022-11-08 23:48:02 +0000 UTCAlcoholic 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.
Garrett Totcky
2022-11-08 22:26:56 +0000 UTCMy 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
Kraft Dinner
2022-11-08 18:35:59 +0000 UTCIt 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
Brutus Salazaar
2022-11-08 18:34:17 +0000 UTCWell 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!
Pet Pumpkin
2022-11-08 18:30:26 +0000 UTCThank you Chris. I am so happy you are in a better place now in your life.
Petrarch IcyFire
2022-11-08 18:17:46 +0000 UTC<3
Graham Manson
2022-11-08 18:11:12 +0000 UTCI 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. ๐ฅ
Scott Darrington
2022-11-08 18:09:58 +0000 UTCThanks for sharing your story, Chris. That takes guts.
ChatN
2022-11-08 18:04:11 +0000 UTCBig love Chris!
Sam Burns
2022-11-08 17:49:23 +0000 UTC
