Paul Merson on Gambling Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery | Happy Place Podcast
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2024
- After spending much of his life in grim pursuit of his addictions, the former Arsenal and England player Paul Merson opens up on his long personal battles with his gambling addiction and how he was forced to confront his demons again during lockdown.
In this chat with Fearne, Paul Merson explains the importance of speaking up about depression and addiction as especially gamblings addictions are not well understood. He also reflects on the gambling disorder which, in addition to alcoholism and a brief but ruinous addiction to cocaine, has made him understand that addiction is an illness, and doesn't make him a bad person.
What do you think about this week's episode? Do you think there is still a lot of stigmas attached to gambling addiction? Would you like to share your story with us?
Paul Merson's book, 'Hooked: Addiction and the Long Road to Recovery', is out now: amzn.to/3AFEaYN
CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank chat about suicidal thoughts, as well as gambling, alcohol, and drug addiction, so do take care while listening.
Paul Merson is an English football television pundit and former professional footballer and manager. Originally a forward, Merson found success as an attacking midfielder and playmaker later in his career.
You can pre-order Fearne’s new book Speak Your Truth here: amzn.to/2HwAkek
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ABOUT HAPPY PLACE
Fearne's HAPPY PLACE is a place to celebrate honesty, authenticity and community. Fearne delves into life, love, loss and everything in-between by chatting to inspiring individuals who have made a change in their own lives or help other people to find different ways of seeing life as she reveals what happiness means to them.
Happy Place is a space that is safe for all where difference is celebrated and the extraordinary is discovered. A place to focus on the positives and to help you find the joy every day - big or small.
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ABOUT FEARNE COTTON
Fearne Cotton is an English television and radio presenter, mother, broadcaster, writer and founder of Happy Place, a place where Fearne holds difficult but important conversations to encourage self-care and self-appreciation, creating a positive impact on the world, giving everyone a voice and actively listening.
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#FearneCotton #HappyPlace #PaulMerson #happyplacepodcast #gamblingadicction #gamblingproblem #addictiontreatment #gamblingdisorder #mentalhealthawareness - บันเทิง
What do you think about this week's episode? Do you think there is still a lot of stigmas attached to gambling addiction? Would you like to share your story with us? ♥️
Merse is amazing. Keep up the good work 👏
Gambling should be the same as cigarettes - these companies shouldn't be allowed to advertise it.
Loved this. Eye opening and a brilliant guest.
I think you shouldn't waste airtime with this fool. Definitely not give him money. You can still do anti gambling videos and self help
This was amazing and this guy Paul merson I got so much soul and gratitude for him and for you to fern haha.. he's so honest about it all and ive had addiction problems myself and getting the necessary help but only just started. Peace ✌️
Currently watching this after my second gambling relapse, 3K down on credit cards back to square one in my debt situation, broke down, opened up to my partner, family & friends, very thankful I’m around people who understand. I know a lot of people don’t, tomorrow is day 1 again, determined to not stop trying.
Paul, you are helping an awful lot of people. With your book, videos and talking about your experiences with addiction. That can be the high place for you now. The satisfaction and buzz of seeing people getting better. His videos have helped me out. A lot . Much appreciated and many thanks.
I live with some one with alcohol addiction, this has given me a massive insight into how the person feels and that it is an illness and not just a selfish destructive person . Thank you so much for this sending you all love
My ex-partner is an alcoholic. Al-anon helped me so massively 🤗
Only came across this yesterday... Such honesty from Paul Merson. Found it better to watch than the BBC Documentary. Could resonate with so much that was being said in relation to the gambling - it's so easy to hide gambling and the worry is when recovering how easy it can be to just start again and go into your own bubble where nothing else matters
This is so so true..I a recovering drug and gambling addict..I have put down the drugs which I believe I can win the war against my drug addiction but gambling which is legal in my eyes is much harder and is much more a daily struggle..thank you Paul for your honesty and best of luck in your recovery
When i was lost thought of ending everything when i was in year 9 so about 14-15 i was self harming because of how angry at wveryone i was but now im 16 i am a completly diffrent person your podcasts help me alot and when i do relapse i dont say anything because its easier for me not to say why i do it
This video was so powerful. I cried so much, more than I thought possible. I want to say Thank you to Fearne and thank you to Paul. Because of this content I feel more positive than ever about stepping out of this living hell and into a world where I can live again!
I really appreciate this and Paul Merson being so honest and open.
There are many things I have to say.
Regardless of who you are, addiction can happen to anyone and also, gambling is the worst addiction. You can hide it as it is stated in this video. It's absolutely disgusting that there are so many advertisements absolutely everywhere that encourage people to gamble and to get caught up in this. These people have no idea what could happen to them and it's made out to be glamorous. But it's not.
I do believe that nobody can truly understand to the fullest about gambling addiction unless they have gone through it themselves. Again, I appreciate this video and the fact that people are trying to understand but it's impossible. I also think that there HAS to be more interviews done with the working class man about gambling addiction. I can understand absolutely everything in this video that Paul Merson has said and as amazing as it is that he can talk about this, as a working class man myself, even though this is all relatable, it's hard to connect on a personal level because Paul has been through the same thing as us but...he's Paul Merson. He is able to write a book. He is able to do a documentary. He is able to come on here and talk about this.
A woman who worked for The Samaritans called me and she was doing her own project in her own time about gambling. She got in touch through GamCare and we ended up speaking on the phone. I spoke to her for two hours about the dangers and I kept feeling she didn't truly understand. The suicide rates because of it. The lives ruined because of it. I told her to clear her history and her cache on her laptop. I did the same. I asked her to type in ANYTHING in You Tube. I did the same. The first thing that came up on both of our searches...was a gambling advert. She seemed shocked and did the same thing and each time the first thing that came up again was a gambling advert. The government has to change all this.
Even if compulsive gamblers somehow manage to stop, gambling is everywhere around us. You can't watch a sports game without a gambling advert. There were four out of five advertisements related to gambling on the last football match I saw. How on earth can gamblers stay away? And it attracts new addicts too.
It's dangerous. It ruins lives. People are killing themselves because if it. And it's all legal. It's not right.
Yeah but I dunno if it should be illegal. people can in theory have £20 placepot and enjoy that, should the laws be changed for the percentage who have problem, the advertising was illegal I think, They brought in measures to change maximum bet reduce amount on those machines. I think if someone is betting and clearly has problem, the account should maybe be suspended, but people will try to get around that, and you could maybe have rehab available, and stuff, ideally, but it;s complex problem, because people probably have to hit low point, to come out of it, I dunno. You can get blocking software, I forget the exact ones, for computers,
Really enjoyed this podcast and I can totally relate with everything Paul says… I’m 4 months 5 days without a bet and watching things like this help remind me not to go back to my old ways. Keep up the good work Paul 👏
I just found you today with the Dave Grohl interview and then I see this. I've been in GA for 6 years. Last bet was 3 October 2015. The 12 step program def helped me. Another great interview and now I have to get Paul's book. Thank you!!
I've had my challenges with addictions all my life - sugar and alcohol. Listen to this has really helped me. I esp relate to the part about not having just a drink cause what's the point. Thank you.
Never judge a person until you've walked a mile in their shoes. Then you can say what you like because you're a mile away and he's got no shoes
And yet TH-cam algorithm still squeezes in a bet advert on this video. Quite ironic the world we live in. Well done Paul. I certainly understand even more on the alcohol one. It's a shame to even having to explain to anyone because you'll be looking all normal and the people around might actually cheer you for being a heavy drinker. Such a shame
I think we all have to appreciate that we can’t have it all in life. The most important thing is appreciating what you can do and being grateful.
So so true merse
Can relate as someone of 40 years with the same illness just starting in recovery
Nearly everything you say is my story
And mode of gambling
Great to see him in a better place. The addiction isn’t everything you are.
Amazing interview thank you so much
Absolutely outstanding Paul Merson. I watched the James English podcast with you too. Only people who have been through this can truly relate. Nothing but respect for this. Amazing ❤️
I'm not a bad person I'm not well best words I've heard thank you my friend
wonderful talk! unfortunately temptation for gambling is everywhere! addiction must be hard for those to overcome, especially if tv adverts or gaming apps suggest gambling
Great interview. Being from Canada I had to look up a few terms such as Homebase and Robbie Savage, but we do have Coronation Street here :)
He describes the gambling roller coaster perfectly: you’re either high as a kite or in the depths of despair, there’s no in-between. And it can all happen in literally 2 seconds. And as he also says, there’s no winning long-term either…the best a compulsive gambler can do is break even every day by sitting out.
Obviously all addictions are problematic and have potential to ruin a life. But I don’t know if any other is as bewildering as gambling…because it constantly tries to tell its victim that it’s the best cure for itself, even as the hole of debt gets deeper and the desperation grows stronger.
Anyway, thanks again, I really appreciated this video. Anyone who doesn’t quite understand from personal experience what Paul describes can consider themselves very fortunate.
Thanks Paul, wonderful!
Love Paul, hope he keeps well.
Amazing interview.
A legend u will always be with or without ur addiction I have the same addiction gambling its un bad thank you
A great man to tell people he life story
What a Great interview
Nothing you say is sad, Merson your a legend
Love the magic man Merse. Used to watch him from the Northbank. Im a recovering alcoholic and the rest. It is a daily battle and the only way to win it is one day at a time. Read the book twice. Some great advice. Hated Robbie Savage as a player but as a pundit he seems like a decent bloke. Cheers you legend Merse.
Paul Merson will never forgive himself. Amazing how honest and open he is
Feel like very addict is just trying to get through the next hour, it is upsetting but reality. Keep it up and see someone if it gets to difficult
Do not dwell my friend ur best player I seeing
Great interview. I've spent time in a gambling rehab and can relate to everything Paul has said. It is sole destroying 😢😭😱☹️🙏🙏
Wow this woman knows alot about addiction. Boredom is definitely the biggest problem!!!
Gambling and alcoholism is self inflicted.Once hooked you have to get out of the habit,not easy but definitely possible
Nice♥️
Im listening to this and the ads just inadvertently interupt as per usual and the advertisement was a gambling ad, oh the irony.
British Government needs to close down all these Gambling shops there destroying peoples life, People lifes can be more better and happy, If the Government puts its foot down get rids of this problem, close these Gambling shops
Gambling addiction really is a horrible affliction.
There's a reason our ancestors made it illegal to gamble and why it's banned in both the bible and in Islam. It leads to nothing but human misery and it corrupts everyone involved in it to a greater or lesser degree.
It was never anuff for me I always wanted more alcohol drugs gambling help people give some thing back keep round like minded people it’s really dus help 👍
Love Merse, even if he did play for the Gooners.
All the governments allow it like alcohol cos it make lots ov money 💰 the twist it round and blame the person not the poison advertising it’s shocking 😢😢😢😢
professional gambling is just another form of Labor. Going to the casino to make money is like going to a factory. The point of money is to make it without working.
It’s a means of earning money if your 1 of the tiny percentage who find a way to beat the casino but 99% lose their money , to what is nothing more than a giant Ponzi scheme where only the casino bosses have a chair when the music stops
fearne your still hot, met you years ago in bp petrol station near wandsworth bridge, you have aged lovely x
as for merse always repected you and your honesty
Fearne cotton is a ex smoker
You done well not to touch yourself on camera talk to her merse
0:42 lying straightaway. Only wrote it for one person lol. Come off it you wrote it to make some more cash
Bore off
Is the 'respect' in your name for irony?
@@whatisourchildrenlearning he doesn't deserve respect
@@ciararespect4296 he certainly has mine
You bore off the man lost 7 million he's done this book to help people as he cares that there is other people out there who are ill!
No sympathy whatsoever I call a mug a mug. As the saying goes a fool and his money easily parted
He only got rich by kicking a bladder about anyway ? Hardly useful
I feel sorry for those who've lost their life savings through no fault of their own though
A shocking comment.
@@whatisourchildrenlearning get with the real world. It's not all rainbows and unicorns
@@ciararespect4296 In the real world, real people have real problems. The empathy you're lacking is a beautiful thing.
You should examine your heart and find it.
You are obviously so perfect and dont understand that not everyone else is as strong and fantastic as yourself. You are the mug.
@@ciararespect4296 ciara must be a kid or a very silly Little person. Pathetic comment