Show Notes
In this episode of Addicted to Recovery, hosts Christopher White and Max Thomas sit down with Steve, a long-time member of Gamblers Anonymous who has been in recovery for almost ten years. Steve offers a raw and honest insight into how his gambling addiction began, how it spiralled out of control, and how recovery has transformed his life. Steve describes growing up in a stable, loving household, with no obvious signs that addiction would ever be part of his life. Gambling entered harmlessly—small bets during family outings to the dog tracks, or casual football accumulators. However, in his early twenties, after taking a job in London, gambling shifted from occasional fun to a daily compulsion. Lunchtime visits to the bookies became a regular ritual; soon he was timing his breaks around race schedules, placing as many bets as possible, and craving the buzz and adrenaline that came with it. He explains how he would literally push past people in betting shops just to get a bet on, because being “in action” felt essential. As the addiction deepened, Steve’s life became dominated by secrecy, debt, and anxiety. He began taking out loans, extending overdrafts multiple times in a week, and fabricating stories to hide the truth from his wife. He recounts a painful memory of promising to pay for a birthday dinner for both families. Although he briefly won enough money to cover the evening, he lost it all again on the way home, leading to desperate lies and shame. This incident was one of many that left him feeling trapped, exhausted, and sick with worry. Stress from gambling even led to chest pains so severe he ended up in hospital, although he admits he returned to gambling the very next day. By early 2016, the addiction had reached a breaking point. His wife discovered new loans and knew instantly that the gambling had returned. Steve describes this moment as the day his world collapsed—but also the day recovery truly began. His last bet was on 19 February 2016. A week later, once his family had dealt with an unrelated medical emergency, he attended his first Gamblers Anonymous meeting. He immediately felt a weight lift from his shoulders. For the first time, he was in a room full of people who understood exactly what he’d been through. Steve explains the power of GA: the unity, structure, honesty, and sense of belonging. Meetings helped him realise he could not recover alone. He embraced the practical safeguards too, handing full control of finances to his wife to avoid temptation. He continues to attend regularly and even chairs many meetings, sharing both his gambling history and the challenges of everyday life. He’s learned to listen to others, accept guidance, and lean on the group whenever he feels vulnerable. Recovery has transformed Steve’s daily life. He describes the relief of waking up without shame, hiding nothing from his wife, and being fully present for his children. He talks emotionally about watching his son play football or attending parents’ evenings—moments he used to miss or experience through a fog of anxiety. Sobriety has brought his emotions back in a powerful way; sometimes overwhelming, but ultimately grounding and fulfilling. Towards the end of the episode, Steve offers advice to anyone still struggling. He urges them to walk into a meeting, even if it feels intimidating, and to take things one day at a time. Recovery, he explains, brings back not just stability, but time, honesty, connection, and a sense of self that addiction destroys. He emphasises that life will never be perfect, but the tools he’s gained through GA allow him to handle challenges without turning back to gambling. The conversation closes with Steve reflecting on his gratitude for the life he has today—a life built on honesty, accountability, unity, and the daily choice to stay in recovery.
More from Addicted to Recovery
We’re back. After nearly four months away, we’re finally back behind the microphones — and there’s a lot to catch up on. In this episode, we talk honestly about what’s been happening in both of our lives over the summer and why taking a break from the podcast was something we both needed. A big part of the conversation is Chris opening up about his relapse after almost five years clean. We talk through what led up to it, the warning signs that are much easier to see looking back, how his recovery programme had slowly slipped, and the dangerous thinking that followed when using again didn’t immediately send his life into chaos. We also talk about Max’s experience over the last few months. Life on the outside is good — family, work and plenty to be grateful for — but internally, that familiar feeling of discomfort had started creeping back in. We discuss our shared tendency to look for external things to change how we feel internally, and what happens when we stop doing the things that keep us grounded. It leads us into a really honest conversation about ego, complacency, perfection, family, sponsorship, meetings, Step 10, connection and the importance of continuing to work a programme even when life is going well. We also share what’s been happening in our lives away from recovery — weddings, family, work, new opportunities and everything else that’s happened during our time away. Finally, we explain what the future looks like for Addicted to Recovery. We’re changing things up, taking the pressure off and returning once a month, allowing us to focus on the conversations and guests that made us fall in love with doing the podcast in the first place. It feels good to be back. Max & Chris Addicted to Recovery
In this powerful episode of Addicted to Recovery, Max and Chris sit down with Gab — a former talent manager whose gambling addiction spiralled into a devastating double life involving secret debts, celebrity clients, court cases, and eventually prison. Gab opens up about the hidden reality of compulsive gambling, from the early warning signs as a child to chasing losses through the night, gambling away hundreds of thousands of pounds, and living in complete mental torment while trying to maintain the appearance of success. He shares how addiction became his escape, his comfort, and ultimately the thing that nearly destroyed everything. The conversation dives deep into: The similarities between gambling addiction and substance addiction Living with secrecy, shame, and obsession The emotional toll of chasing losses How recovery began through honesty and therapy The reality of prison after addiction-fuelled fraud charges Why addiction is so often misunderstood by society Alongside Gab’s story, the hosts also announce an important new chapter for the podcast as Addicted to Recovery moves into a seasonal format to prioritise balance, recovery, and sustainability moving forward. A raw, honest, and deeply insightful episode about addiction, consequences, recovery, and hop
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In this powerful episode of Addicted To Recovery, the hosts sit down with Greg, a close friend and recovering addict, to explore his journey through addiction, trauma, and long-term recovery. Greg shares how a devastating accident—shattering his heel after a fall—became a turning point in his life. With over a dozen surgeries, chronic pain, and uncertainty about his future, he was forced to slow down and fully commit to recovery. What could have been a breaking point instead became a foundation for growth, resilience, and spiritual connection. The conversation dives deep into: Navigating recovery through physical pain and injury The mental battle of uncertainty and fear Managing prescribed medication in recovery Building integrity, trust, and self-awareness The realities of long-term sobriety (not perfection, but progress) Finding purpose, peace, and connection in everyday life Greg also reflects on major life milestones in recovery, including marriage, fatherhood, and rebuilding relationships—proving that transformation is possible with commitment and support. This episode is an honest, raw, and inspiring look at what it truly means to stay clean, face life head-on, and grow into a better version of yourself.
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