Tom's story

My addiction started with slot machines. It was the lights and the idea that you could get money for nothing. I don’t know the reasons why I gambled. I don’t know when I crossed the invisible line into compulsive gambling but when I started gambling I got a tremendous buzz out of doing it.

I’d go out with a five and go home with €100 — but that was only at the start. In the finish, no matter how much money I took in, I would come home with nothing, because I wouldn’t be able to stop.

No matter how much time I spent in front of the machines, I never admitted to myself that I had a problem. I kind of knew in my heart that what I was doing wasn’t the full bob. It was something I did as a release, I didn’t see it as a problem. I only realised it was a problem when I sought treatment. I didn’t want to admit it and deal with it.