Ah Soon 's Recovery Testimonial

He’s ‘70% cured’ after seeking help for addiction

(Straits Times Report 24 Apr 2010)

Not all gambling addicts can stay away from gambling always ... . But there are some who manage to kick the habit, with lots of help and support.

One recovering gambling addict in his late 40s, who gave his name as Ah Soon, told The Straits Times his fascination with gambling started when he was six. His father would invite friends home for day-long mahjong sessions, and Ah Soon was designated to serve them drinks. When his father needed to visit the toilet, Ah Soon stood in for him.

His impression then was that “gambling and winning money make people happy”. He also came away with the idea that gambling was a good way to make money, and soon began dabbling in it.

In school, every outcome that was in doubt was fair game. He bet with friends on the sex of that next spider they would catch, or who would win an arcade game. As he grew older, the gambling extended to buying 4-D.

But it was not until 1995, when he got married and took his wife to Genting Highlands for a honeymoon, that he first stepped into a casino. For someone like Ah Soon, a roomful of games to bet on was too good to be true. He won RM2, 000 at first, but lost it all by the end of his trip, Despite the losses, he was bitten hard by gambling bug.

He said: “Singapore had no casino then, but I kept thinking about how to gamble after I got back.” He started visiting the jackpot room at a club next to the factory where he was working as a storeman. At lunchtime each day, without fail, he made his way to the room.

Three years later, his company folded and he was retrenched. Then, he found a job as a karaoke jockey. Clients and friends took him to play at illegal gambling dens in Geylang. He gambled, lost and borrowed from loan sharks.

His wife knew he had a gambling problem and made him hand over his pay cheques. But he began stealing from her, and from their joint bank account, to feed his habit. He even stole her jewellery and pawned it.

The last straw came in early 2008, when he took his wife’s pay cheques and gambled it away. She informed their families of his gambling addiction, and said wanted a divorce. But she could not bring herself to do it. So she issued him an ultimatum: “Go seek help or I will report your thefts to the police.”

In September 2008, he turned to the NAMS (National Addiction Management Service) at the IMH (Institute of Mental Health) for help. After One and half years and countless Therapy sessions with counsellors and Psychiatrists, he said his addiction is under control. But he added: “I am not fully recovered, maybe 70 per cent. It will be a long time yet before I am in the clear.

He confessed to getting the urge to gamble from time to time, but tries to suppress it by taking up new hobbies. Turning to Buddhism has also helped him, he said. To ward off further temptation, he agreed to a family exclusion order last December which bars him from entering the two casinos here.

His advice to those battling similar gambling demons?

"The most important thing is to seek help. And never give up even if there is a relapse" he said.

Soccer Betting Seasons

 ..... 2010/2011 Soccer Betting Season (Problems) ......

It's been slightly more than 2 months since the new season of the European leagues have started. Some punters who are on a good winning run, started to develop his own belief system that he has got a winning formula. Some punters who are on a losing run, started chasing game after game, with the belief that he can't be losing forever. Some even gone into a desparation mode, seeking tips everywhere and even from spiritual divine power to help predict the winning outcome.

Some have accumulated overwhelming soccer betting debts ..... even at very young age. Some have even thinking about ending their life bcos to pressure, stress, guilt and shame

Are you one of them ...... Do spend some time thinking and reflecting .... even if you are on a winning run .....

- Are you addicted to soccer punting .... "I just can't stop"

- Do you think you have a winning system to analysis the games .... "Sure Win odds"

- Are you getting worried about your gambling behaviour

- Are you tired of all the chasing games to cover your overwhelming debts

- Are you planning show-hand during this coming weekend

- Ask yourself .... "Have you cross the line ? Or Are you about to cross the

Then ask yourself again, Do You want help .... ??  Think about your family and love ones ...

~ Maybe Anonymous help

~ New friendship with group of people like youself but is in the process of change

~ No discrimination ... only acceptance ..

~ No judgement ...

Why suffer alone ?? Why not seek help from people like us who could share our strength and experience together to battle this new soccer season and keep yourself safe period ?? Some may reply

- - "I can't stop the battle now. I need that hope ... "

- - "My debts is too overwhelming now. I can't let my family know"
- - "I just can't stop. I enjoy the game"

- - "Must I stop gambling totally in order to qualify for help"  

We help one another to battle to keep ourselves safe from destructive gambling ..... keep ourselves safe from crossing the line to the point of no return ....

"THERE'S HELP AVAILABLE .... DON'T WAIT TILL YOU LOSE EVERYTHING..."

The only requirement for to join us is a desire to stop gambling.

Successful recovery in our fellowship depends on the following few variables:

1. Come with an Open-mind. We don't judge one another. 

2. A Willingness to be Honest with other members about their gambling. The problem gambler tends to minimize the damage that their gambling has caused. This is a strategy that all gamblers use in order to live with their problem, as often the real implications of what they are doing are too horrible to contemplate. But if a member can be honest about the pain that their gambling is actually creating, their motivation will be increased to find a solution.

3. Identification with the fellowship find HOPE. Our members tell their stories about their gambling and what they have done in order to stop gambling. What emerges from such a reading of those stories is an awareness in the new member that he can then draw the conclusion that if those members have overcome their gambling problem, perhaps I can too. Hope for oneself is felt and this energy can be used to pursue the solution.

Debts - Credit Counselloring Singapore (CCS)

In recent months, there's quite a number of people asking and seeking help with CCS for their finiancial woes .... some are gambling related debts. In recovery, a good, proper debt repayment plan is important for a recovery person. But to even step into the process of doing this, this recovery person must learn and understand H.O.W .... Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.

As a gambling addict, being Honest with my debts is the most difficult part of my recovery!! Alot of Gulit, Shame and Ego problems.

However, I just want to take this opportunity to share with you one of the member's experience with CCS, and he's into his 2nd year of repayment plan and doing well in this recovery. Though in recovery for a short period of time, he's a good role model for many, the way he pick himself up, safe his job, keep his family together and most importantly staying away from all forms of gamblings.

Member Experience with CCS - simple 3 Steps Process

.... but hor you need to be very patience ....

Step 1 - Compulsory Attendance of Free Info Talk on Debt Management

- He called CCS to book the appointment to attend the talk, available in 2 weeks time.

- Attended the 2-hour talk 2 weeks later. During the talk, 4 options will be explained to those attending the talks

• Self Administration
• Composite Settlement
• Debt Management Programme (DMP) ~ need to submit a blue form
• Bankruptcy ~ as a last resort when all else fail to resolve the debts.

- Submitted a Blue form as his option is DMP.

- Go back and wait for CCS to call for 1-1 counselling session which he is required to prepare

• All the necessary documents of all his debts. 
• Total household income and total household expenditure.

Step 2 - Credit Counselling to Explore Solution

- The 1-1 session was arranged 6 weeks later from the day of the talk. (Must bring along $30)

- Case Officer will

• Asked questions and why you ended at such state/situation/problems
• Will go through your household expenditure and would advice accordingly
• Explore the options and propose lifestyle adjustment in resolving the debt problem

- At the end of the counselling session, both the counsellor and him concurred that the DMP is the most suitable option, CCS then started work on it, subject to DMP Review Committee's approval and put up for the creditors consideration and acceptance.

Step 3 - Setting DMP for Approval

- He waited about 3 months for the formal approval of the the DMP and the date for the signing of the DMP propsal was set. He has to bring along $100 (can make arrangement to pay by installment)

- Case Officer will explain how the DMP proposal works before submitting to all his creditors.

- Case Officer advice him to pay up according to the DMP proposal on time monthly if not the creditors have the right to void the plan

3 simple steps, but hor

• lots of paper works to fill up figure which gamblers doesn't like .....
• lots of questions which gamblers don't like to answer .....
• long waiting time of 3-4months so don't expect it to be immediate which gamblers wanted .....
• while waiting, respond to all legal letters, don't run away from it .....

Lastly, join a support group .... it's really tough to go thru it on your own. Let someone who has gone thru the process share with you his strength and experience.