My name is Terry K and I am a recovering compulsive gambler. As with many other compulsive gamblers, gambling crept into my life unnoticed and destroyed my entire life. I went from being a community leader, successful career salesman, political activist, and good family man to being a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Addictive gambling enable me to give away everything I had put together in my life. My family, my success, my reputation, and finally, my freedom. My "rock bottom" happened as I was being led away from my home in handcuffs in front of family, friends, and neighbors after being arrested on 10 counts of obtaining money under false pretenses to support a compulsive gambling habit. I knew there was a light at the end of the tunnel but I just couldn't see how to get there yet. After 3 1/2 years in the court system, I was sentenced to 5 years to serve on home confinement. Now this is where I shout the benefits of never giving up when it seems the darkest. While on home confinement I was forced to account for all of my activity on a weekly, then monthly basis. I was in debt for well over $250,000 so I used my compulsive behaviors to help me work 10-12 hours a day to pay back those I hurt financially. Over the course of the first year on home confinement, the fog of my addiction began to lift. I focused on higher goals for myself and those who cared about me. I've written a book and a screenplay about my experiences. I met another compulsive gambler who is a career registered nurse while attending a weekly 12 step fellowship and we talked about starting a nursing uniform manufacturing business together. After 2 years of discussion, we incorporated and rented 3000 square feet of mill space. Today we have grown to 7 employees servicing many major professional and institutional accounts. All of this while on home confinement. On March 12, 2007 the State released me and I went to bed that night a free man. So no matter how desperate you may feel about your situation, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and as for me, today I'm standing at the threshold of that light getting ready to kick the door in. I've found a peaceful, serene and productive life and so can you! I tell everyone I can who is suffering that my worst day today is still better than my best day as a addictive gambler. I will share with and listen to anyone who is suffering so give me a shout here or at terryk@goingforbroke.net. God Bless, Terry

That is amazing. I think you should be more than proud of your accomplishments. It's hard to break gambling habits. I know I have been there but not everyone is actually capable of comeing through it like you have, so that is something to smile about.

I agree, though we have to remember that addiction recovery is a lifetime process and relapses occur more often than not. I feel having a form of support to rely on during recovery can make all the difference :)

That is an inspirational story and a lesson to all of out here who are still at the start of our recovery. You have become someone to look up to and a light to lead us

I have never had to deal with this type of addiction but I wanted to know is it something that calls on you like a drug would. Do you get that feeling that won't leave you alone whenever you think about going to gamble your money. I always use to wonder this when talking about gambling and its addictions.

I would have to congradulate you on your success. I know a gambling addiction can be very hard to recover from, as my father was a gambler who never in life ever gave it up. He hurt a lot of people including our family and really did not seem to care. But thank you for the inspiration that can be passed to others I know that are following down the same path.