– I kept thinking: “Now I’m about to win”

After gambling away large sums of money, "Geir" visited a self-help group run by Gambling Addiction Norway – and found it to be a huge help. Today, he contributes to the groups himself, and hopes that others who are struggling will take the step.

"Geir's" first encounter with gambling came in his childhood.

He was going on vacation to Denmark by boat, and he had vacation money from his grandparents in his wallet.

– There were slot machines on the boat, which really tempted me. Even before we arrived in Denmark, all my vacation money had ended up in them, he says.

"Geir" is not the man's real name.

Discovered online casino

When "Geir" was in his 30s, he tried online casinos for the first time and was quickly hooked.

– It worked out for me like it does for many: I won a little at first, and started to deposit more money. The times I actually won, I got annoyed with myself for not having bet more. Gradually, I increased my bet, and played at many different online casinos, he says.

What is gambling addiction?

• Gambling addiction is a serious diagnosis in which a person becomes compulsively preoccupied with gambling or gaming, despite negative consequences.
• Addiction can affect both physical and mental health, social relationships and finances.

Spent more and more money

At first, he saw gambling as a hobby and felt in control. At the same time, he continued to increase his bets and was not honest with those closest to him about how much time and money he actually spent on gambling.

– Gradually, the accounts began to go into the red, and I used credit cards to cover the losses. Money I was supposed to spend on social activities, and eventually on rent, instead went to gambling and had to be covered by consumer loans and credit cards, says "Geir."

– You kind of constantly have this idea that “Now I’m about to win .” And then you keep going.

Known for shame

It often happened that "Geir" played late into the night. This meant that he didn't always have the energy to go to work the next day. The stakes became higher, the consumer loans more. "Now it's time to win" was the mantra "Geir" clung to. "Soon I'll win it all back."

– But I never did. In the end, I couldn't pay my loans, and I couldn't get any more loans. What I actually won didn't go towards paying back the loans, but towards gambling more.

For "Geir" it was always about masking, hiding and saving himself, so that no one would discover the gambling problem that he was ashamed of. In the end, it all came to an end.

– I had violent mood swings – I was at my best when I won, and in the basement when I lost. It was incredibly mentally exhausting, and when the money was gone I ended up in a dark hole with many dark thoughts, says "Geir".

Addressed the problem

"Geir" mustered up the courage and opened up to his girlfriend. Shortly after, he also chose to be open with his employer.

– I jumped in and told them I had a gambling problem. Then the job contacted the occupational health service, and then it was arranged for me to get in touch with a psychologist.

– I didn't know anyone else who was addicted to gambling. It feels so shameful, and you shouldn't talk about it out loud. That's why it was so good to have someone to talk to, says "Geir."

But even though the psychologist was helpful, "Geir" missed talking to someone who had a deeper understanding of gambling addiction. That's when he found Gambling Addiction Norway and their self-help groups.

Recognition and understanding

– In the self-help group of Spillvenighet Norge, I suddenly got to meet others who had lived with gambling addiction, and who had stories similar to mine. There were others who had made the same mistakes, and who had gone through the same challenges, says "Geir."

– It felt really good to meet someone who really understood , and it was helpful to be able to talk to others about being free of gambling, and staying free of gambling, he says.

Today marks 10 years since "Geir" first contacted Game Addiction Norway. It has meant a lot to him to join a self-help group, meet other players and relatives of players, and share knowledge and experiences.

– I think some people think that they caused the problem themselves, and therefore should be able to get out of it themselves. However, I think it is both important and useful to dare to accept help.

Many are struggling

1 in 4 have had problems with gambling themselves, or know someone who has. This is revealed in a survey conducted by InFact for Gambling Addiction Norway. The survey also shows that men are more at risk than women. 8 percent of men have had such problems themselves, compared to 4 percent of women.

– We are experiencing an increase in the number of inquiries, and most of the inquiries concern gambling . There is a particularly large increase in the number of young boys who experience gambling addiction, says Lill-Tove Bergmo, who is the general manager of Gambling Addiction Norway.

There are self-help groups both physically and digitally. Participating in the groups is free.

– When you know for sure that you are meeting others in the same situation, it has enormous power. The fear of being judged disappears, the shame disappears – everything is put away, she says.

Game Addiction Norway also has a group tailored to those struggling with gaming addiction .

– There is no time limit on how long you can participate in the groups, and you can go for as long as you want. Many people are afraid that they will suddenly meet someone they know in the group, but then I remind them that in that case they are also there for a reason, says Lill-Tove.

– “I don't know where I would be today without the self-help group,” I have heard so many times. For many, the help has been absolutely crucial.

Together we can support each other, and give each other tips and advice on how to move forward.

Giving back

By leading groups himself, and working as a volunteer in Gambling Addiction Norway, "Geir" now feels that he can give back a little, and help others who are struggling. It gives him the experience of being useful, and that his experiences have not just been wasted.

– The easiest thing is to stop gambling – the hardest thing is not to start again. Even though I have now been gambling-free for ten years, my attitude is that I will be addicted to gambling for the rest of my life. I will never gamble again, “Geir” insists.

– Through this process, I have learned a lot about myself as a person, and I also see other people with addiction in a different way.

"Geir" recommends that others with gambling problems contact Gambling Addiction Norway and join a self-help group.

– I felt a little nervous the first time, but it felt really good to get there and experience that you weren't alone. It was a relief. There is a lot that is recognizable in what the others say, and you almost become like a little family in the group. Together we can support each other, and give each other tips and advice on how to move forward.