Mid 20's and $250,000 in debt. Gripped by a gambling addiction. How do you recover?💌 Join 9,500+ others in our newsletter community - https://www.theimperfects.com.au/sign-up-to-our-newsletter/From the outside, it looked like Luke Bateman was living the dream: a professional NRL career with ludicrous pay checks and sponsorship deals.On the inside, Luke was battling a crippling gambling addiction, deepening depression and a widening chasm between the character he was playing, and his true authentic self.With immense courage, honesty and vulnerability, Luke takes Hugh, Ryan and Josh through the ups and downs of his recovery journey. Luke unpicks the difference between unconditional love and conditional help from his parents, and why his time in rehab was the best thing that ever happened to him.Luke speaks about how his journey with addiction impacted his relationship with his mum, and the gratitude he feels for her now, and how learning about internal family systems changed his life forever.Luke, you are such a beautiful person. Thank you for joining us today.This episode discusses gambling addiction and suicidal ideation. Please take care when listening.This episode is part of the BE HOPE Podcast Takeover, bringing podcasts around the world together to explore the themes of hope and how we can continue to make progress in a rapidly changing world - https://globalgoals.org/behope/🚨If you, or someone you know is struggling with a gambling addictionCall LifeLine - 13 11 14Register at BetStop - betstop.gov.auGamblers Anonymous - https://bit.ly/3TJ1C6dGambling Help Online - gamblinghelponline.org.auIn an emergency, always call 000🩵To hear our chat with Luke about The Manosphere and to join our subscriber community, A Little More Imperfects, follow this link - patreon.com/theimperfects🫖Imperfects episodes mentioned on this episodeJack’s Gambling Addiction Story - https://bit.ly/4hFQmk1📚Things to readThe Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo - https://bit.ly/46FkS7vKeys to the Kingdom, by Garth Nix - https://bit.ly/4AnBxKBThe Midnight Library, by Matt Haig - https://bit.ly/4d2OzmxNo Bad Parts, by Richard C Scharwtz - https://bit.ly/46FSGkUYou Are The One You’ve Been Waiting For, by Richard C Schwartz - https://bit.ly/3Tp0gx8🎧Things to listen toIn The Good Books with Luke Bateman I Matt Haig: Writing What You Need to Hear - https://bit.ly/4jjvBvK📱Things to check outLuke’s Instagram (and his thoughts on male silence) - https://bit.ly/46AnIuy🩷To host your own Vulnerabilitea House, purchase here - theimperfects.com.au/shop🩵To purchase our journal (or your novel) My Imperfect Life, click here - theimperfects.com.au/shop🩷 AND you can subscribe to A Little More Imperfects through Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/theimperfectsThe Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you’re struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.