Lecture Notes: Personal Story of Overcoming Gambling Addiction

Introduction

• Date & Event: August 17, 2013 - 5 million people bought a Daily Mail featuring the speaker's story.
• Main Subject: An ex-Army Major's story of losing everything due to gambling addiction.

Background

• Military Career:
  • Joined the army, spent 8.5 years.
  • Attended Sandhurst, awarded Queen's Sword of Honor.
  • Youngest Major in British Army, trained in various commando courses.
• Transition to Civilian Life:
  • Left army at 30, joined a small insurance brokerage.
  • Promoted to managing director in a global financial services company.
  • Had a six-figure salary, married, had children, but felt restless.

Challenges and Personal Struggles

• Work and Family Life:
  • Six-hour commute, moved to Derbyshire.
  • Passed over for a promotion, plateaued at work.
• Family Health Issues:
  • Son, Matthew, diagnosed with right side hemiplegia and cerebral palsy.
  • Experience with son’s epilepsy and near-death scare.
• Beginning of Gambling Addiction:
  • Started with a small bet after seeing a TV ad.
  • Secretive behavior, initial win enticed further gambling.

Escalation of Addiction

• Gambling Habits:
  • Shift from small bets to larger sums, using a £1,000 for a single bet.
  • Multiple loans and overdrafts to cover gambling losses.
  • Maintained lifestyle by hiding financial issues.
• Impact on Personal Life:
  • Withdrawal from family, emotional distress.
  • Loss of job due to misuse of corporate card.
  • Lies to family, deterioration of marital trust.

Consequences and Turning Point

• Life Collapse:
  • Wife left with children, financial ruin.
  • Sold personal and sentimental items, including Queen's Sword of Honor.
  • Hit rock bottom, faced eviction and deep personal crisis.
• Support and Recovery:
  • Supported by family, relocated back to childhood home.
  • Prayed for healing, marked the last day of gambling (November 2012).

Recovery and Redemption

• Steps to Recovery:
  • Focused on rebuilding life, started swimming, completed Channel swim.
  • Wrote a bestselling book on gambling addiction.
  • Founded "Recovery 2" charity offering free recovery courses.
• Current Life:
  • Family reconciliation, although divorced, maintains strong relationships.
  • Works with debt charity, volunteers to help others.
  • Recovered Queen's Sword of Honor, restored personal pride and dignity.

Conclusion

• Lessons Learned:
  • Life with the right priorities, importance of not returning to gambling.
  • Open conversation with son about past mistakes.
  • Determined to maintain a better life, focus on family and giving back.

Final Message: Life is better now with corrected priorities and continuous personal growth.