A West Belfast footballer is hoping to help others struggling with gambling addiction after starting a weekly support group.
St James' Swifts player Joseph McCall admits he lost tens of thousands of pounds over the years, betting on everything from horses to football and squandering more on tickets for prize competitions.
The 29-year-old, who is also a football coach and member of St James' committee, said his addiction "took over my life" and even dragged him into a depression.
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Now Joseph is hoping to use his experiences to support other people who are struggling, by hosting weekly support meetings for anyone to attend.
The first get-together was held last Monday night at the Spórtlann Complex at Coláiste Feirste.
"We had eight people at the first session. I received so many messages, but it can be tough for someone to take that step and attend a meeting in front of strangers," Joseph said.
"I know what it is like when you are a gambler. It is hard to admit you are one, and the next hardest thing is walking into a room full of people you don't know.
"I have been gambling since I was very young. The first time I realised I had a problem I went to a gamblers' anonymous meeting in the city centre, but it is so hard when you don't know anyone.
"Don't forget you have been hiding this addiction, and it is the easiest thing to hide. You hide it for so long, and you have just admitted to yourself and your family that you have a problem.
"Then you have to go in and talk to complete strangers about it, which is really difficult to do. That's why I am trying to make these meetings I have organised more local and informal.
"Everyone is invited to come along, and they can sit and just listen if they prefer. I know what it is like going to one of these meetings for the first time."
Joseph added: "My plan is to get different speakers in over the next few months. And keep growing it into a community where people can come and get the support they need.
"I have made a support chat group for everyone who attended last Monday's meeting, and every single person has remained bet-free so far.
"I led the meeting, as I have been involved with these types of meetings before. I spoke about my own experiences, and everyone else who was there was able to talk and share their own stories.
"It was brilliant to see people opening up, and they asked me questions. And I gave them some advice based on what has worked for me in the past."
Joseph admits he has struggled with gambling at different stages of his life.
He previously managed to quit for three years, but then some personal tragedy saw his addiction spiral out of control once again.
"I stayed off it for three years. I actually held meetings like these before but didn't advertise them. Then I had a couple of friends who passed away and the gambling started again," he said.
"People talk about alcohol and drugs being a disease. People see someone with a drug addiction and say they need help.
"But gamblers, they just seem to be hidden away. People think you're selfish if you're a gambler, instead of seeing it as an addiction.
"You can only drink so much or take so many drugs before you end up in hospital. But you can gamble everything away and nobody would ever notice.
"Your life can be ruined in one day through gambling. I know what it is like having lost tens of thousands of pounds over the years.
"But it doesn't matter if you have £10 in your pocket or £1,000. If you gamble it away you're gambling with everything in your pocket, so one is as bad as the other.
"The main reason why I started these meetings again was because I had stopped gambling for three years, but then I started again. I had stopped the group meetings at that time and that's when I went back to gambling.
"I had the worst experience of my life during that time. It just shows you that one setback or trigger can send you spiralling again.
"But I have a good family and a good girlfriend and friends around me. Or I don't know how I would have ended up.
"I am currently off gambling five weeks, and I felt the need to start up these meetings again, but this time advertise them.
"I feel if I can help others then it helps me as well. I want to help as many people as I can.
"I think of the money I wasted over the years, and what I could have done with that money. But I am not starting this group for sympathy."
Joseph admits his own gambling addiction impacted on his mental health.
He even stopped doing the things he loves, including playing football and coaching young players at St James' Swifts.
He said: "When I was gambling again I felt myself falling into a depression. You become a loner. I stopped going to football, taking the kids at football.
"All things I love doing, all because of gambling. So I decided to start the group, and the satisfaction I have got from these guys not gambling from Monday to now.
"They are all writing in to the group and showing me messages from their partners saying how proud they are. And that makes me want to better myself.
"We motivate each other and I want it to become a community. There isn't much support out there, and you need more people whose doors are open."
Joseph believes more needs to be done to support people struggling with gambling.
"It is everywhere. There is a bookies on every street corner in working class areas, and they are beside bars," he said.
"They are on your phone and on advertisements. You can't escape it.
"And when you have a gambling addiction, where is the escape? Even now you see people buying tickets to win various prizes. There are people who have contacted me and they are addicted to those competitions.
"They don't gamble like I did on the horse and things, they are trying to win these prizes and spending hundreds of pounds.
"I don't begrudge someone running that as a business by the way, but people are spending a lot of money buying tickets for these competitions."
The next meeting is set to be held at the Spórtlann Complex this Monday evening, February 27. Joseph has urged anyone struggling to come along or contact him on social media.
"Last Monday was encouraging, and hopefully more people come along to our next meeting," he said.
"If there is anyone out there who is struggling, please just get in touch with me. We are here to support anyone, and if I can help support someone with this addiction then I will be happy.
"I know where gambling led me to, so if I can help in any way please get in touch with me."
If you or someone you know has been affected by gambling you can contact the National Gambling Helpline 24 hours a day on 0808 8020133 or visit the GamCare website.
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