[DuncGRH]

Welcome to the Gambling Recovery Hub.

Today, the 2nd of July, is a day I’ve dreamed about for years.

The Gambling Recovery Hub is finally live.

What’s even more meaningful to me is that it comes just two days before I acknowledge 20 years in recovery from compulsive gambling. That timing feels incredibly special.

I don’t want congratulations. I don’t want people telling me how amazing it is.

What I want is for anyone who arrives here, whether you’re struggling yourself or supporting someone who is, to know one thing…

Recovery is possible.

Not perfect. Not easy. Not without setbacks, grief, loss, frustration or pain. Life still throws everything it can at you. Recovery doesn’t remove life’s challenges. It changes the way you face them.

You learn to deal with life’s trials by being honest. By asking for help. By accepting that vulnerability isn’t weakness. By building relationships with people who genuinely understand.

So let me tell you a little about me.

I played my first game of poker when I was eight years old.

By the age of sixteen I wasn’t just gambling—I was addicted.

Over the years gambling took almost everything.

It cost me my marriage.

It cost me my home.

It destroyed my finances.

It damaged my reputation.

It hurt the people I loved most.

And very nearly, it took my life.

I can still remember reaching a point where I genuinely believed that living was more painful than dying. Looking back now, that’s difficult to admit, but it’s important that I do. Because that’s where addiction can take us if we let it.

Thankfully, I’m still here.

In 2006 I entered treatment at what was then called Gordon House, now known as the Gordon Moody organisation. For me, that place didn’t simply stop me gambling. It gave me the foundations to build a completely different life.

Recovery didn’t happen overnight.

It happened one honest conversation at a time.

One difficult day at a time.

One decision at a time.

Slowly, the person I wanted to be began replacing the person addiction had created.

Since then I’ve dedicated much of my working life to helping others. I’ve worked alongside treatment providers, supported people before they entered residential treatment, walked with them through aftercare, and spoken to countless families affected by gambling harm.

Many people in this field know me, although I’ve never been someone who shouts about what I do. I’ve always believed the work should speak louder than the person doing it.

These days people often talk about having “lived experience.”

And that’s incredibly valuable.

But I also believe there’s something called lived expertise.

Lived experience means you’ve been there.

Lived expertise comes from years of recovery, reflection, learning, supporting others and continuing to grow. It comes from understanding addiction not just because you’ve survived it, but because you’ve spent years helping other people survive it too.

One of the biggest changes recovery has given me is something I never expected.

I don’t wake up every morning thinking, “Today I won’t gamble.”

That battle disappeared a long time ago.

Recovery isn’t something I have to force anymore. It’s become part of who I am.

Today I’m far more aware of myself.

I’m aware of my emotions.

I’m aware of my triggers.

I’m aware of my strengths and my weaknesses.

I’m aware of the importance of connection, honesty and asking for help before life becomes overwhelming.

That doesn’t mean life is easy.

Far from it.

I’ve faced physical illness, trauma, loss and challenges I never imagined I’d have to deal with. But today I face them with people beside me instead of facing them alone.

That’s the difference.

That’s what recovery gave me.

The Gambling Recovery Hub has been built because I wanted somewhere that felt safe.

Not somewhere full of judgement.

Not somewhere full of false promises.

Just a community where people can learn, ask questions, support one another and discover that they’re not alone.

Whether you’re taking your very first steps, supporting someone you love, or you’ve been in recovery for years, you’re welcome here.

If together we can help just one person realise that their life is worth fighting for, then every hour spent building this community will have been worthwhile.

Thank you for being here.

I genuinely can’t wait to get to know you all and to build something special together.

Welcome to the Gambling Recovery Hub.

— Dunc

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