The Recovery Toolkit Podcast: Episode Twenty Four - When Does Recovery Really Start?

This week, we’re joined by Sam Starsmore as he shares his journey to recovery, revealing how unresolved trauma from his teenage years impacted his life. Sam reflects on how children and adults often experience the same events in profoundly different ways, and he emphasises the importance of creating safe spaces for young people to process difficult experiences. Sam’s story challenges common perceptions of recovery. While he first reached out for help after hitting rock bottom on New Year’s Eve and attended local Gamblers Anonymous meetings regularly for two years, he views this period as abstinence rather than true recovery. Only after relapsing twice did Sam begin to understand the deeper work required for sustainable recovery, including building resilience, engaging actively in the 12-step program, and finding support through a sponsor. In this honest conversation, Sam discusses how he developed his own toolkit to navigate the challenges of recovery and life’s ups and downs. Tune in to learn about the importance of creating personal strategies to sustain recovery and move forward. Join our community of those in gambling harm recovery online and free for coaching sessions, community connection and events here: https://lamplight.online/in/8UmMO/ff1d0d29a136c2b1b7b2348c7c6ba3cdc2223b8729996a7ace3f9fb3b2e8be20