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From gambling addiction to hope: This is how Jon fought for his life!
A former gambler from the Alb-Donau district shares his story of recovery and encouraging message for those affected.
From gambling addiction to hope: This is how Jon fought for his life!
Gambling is more than just a game - Jon, a 37-year-old from the Alb-Donau district, who took the step to beat his gambling addiction a year ago, also knows this. After his family abandoned him and he lived in extreme hardship, he is well on the way to recovery. Jon has debts of around 96,000 euros, but instead of giving up, he is optimistic and wants to encourage others who are also struggling with a similar situation.
“Two years ago I was really addicted to gambling,” says Jon. His wife and two children had to leave him, which opened his eyes. With the pressure of debt and the isolation that came with his addiction, he even found himself confined to his car or office at times. Suicidal thoughts remembered his presence. “It was the hardest time in my life,” he admits. But his brother gave him a clear choice: seek help or be committed to an institution. This decision changed everything.
The path to recovery
Jon attended addiction counseling and support groups. At first he didn't realize how serious his problem actually was. But the conversations with addiction counselor Christian Merbach and the community in the self-help group helped him find his way. “I was hospitalized for ten weeks in a special clinic in the Karlsruhe district,” he reports proudly. There he not only recognized his problem, but also the loss of valuable time with his children.
His example shows how serious the issue of gambling addiction is. According to the Federal Center for Health Education, around 200,000 people in Germany suffered from pathological gambling behavior in 2019. In the Alb-Donau district and Ulm, 650 clients were advised by Caritas and Diakonie in 2022, 11.6% of whom struggled with pathological gambling.
A call for prevention
Risks for children and young people
www.check-dein-spiel.de provides information about gambling and local help offers. Telephone advice is also available on the free service number 0800 1 37 27 00, from Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Jon’s story is an example that the battle against gambling addiction can be won – with the right will and support. He is not alone and help is just a phone call away.