Today we’d like to introduce you to David Leong.
Hi David, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey to where I am today has been a remarkable one, shaped by resilience, humility, and transformation. From the age of 17, I was living with a gambling addiction. Despite being what some called a “functional addict,” I managed to maintain good grades and keep “face.” However, as I graduated college, the consequences caught up with me. There was no more hiding the destruction caused by my gambling addiction. My parents told me that If I did not get help, there would be no place for me at home.
Deep down, I knew I needed help, but I never surrendered to it- the first and commonly known as the most important step in any 12-step program. I checked into Beit T’shuvah’s Right Action Gambling Program, where I fully committed to recovery. Therapy, group sessions, and exploring my relationship with money and myself became my daily routine. Witnessing the positive changes in my life without gambling, I was “all in.”
After six months in rehab, it was time to reenter the real world. I needed purpose in my career beyond my previous aspirations of being a “professional gambler.” A social worker saved my life, and I knew I wanted to do the same for others. Fast forward seven years—I am now a practicing Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with two practices dedicated to treating problem gamblers and their families.
I readily admit I’m not perfect, but I continue to learn and grow, addressing my character defects. I take pride in my 7+ years of abstinence from sports gambling. When I’m not working with problem gamblers, you’ll find me trail running in the Angeles National Forest. I signed up for the Angeles Crest 100, a 100-mile footrace from Wrightwood to Altadena in the summer of 2024. As a compulsive gambler- I know that nothing is guaranteed to so I am putting in a lot of work to set myself up for success. My recovery journey fuels my determination in everything I do: if I can quit gambling, I can conquer anything.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Living with an addiction is not a smooth road, but I would not have it any other way. I have learned to embrace hard things. I believe that an unhealthy coping mechanism like gambling is actually the easy way out. Easy way to make money (or I told myself), easy way to deal with bad feelings, just a shortcut. There are so many highs and lows of living with an addiction; it’s like constant chaos becomes my baseline. This constant pursuit of pleasure, I like to say, may have “messed me up.” I have gratitude for the struggles. Just like Ultra running, I have to turn myself “inside out” and be vulnerable to get the best version of myself. Easy does not mean good. I still deal with my own struggles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I provide therapy for problem gamblers and their families. I specialize in working with Sports Bettors, but I have seen all types of gamblers. First and foremost, I tell everyone that I work with that I myself am also a compulsive gambler. I want to let the client know that they are not alone and should not feel ashamed for anything they have experienced. My work as a therapist combines my personal experience and clinical expertise. In grad school, as a therapist, my instructors taught me to be very shallow- not revealing much of my personal life, and this may be a good tactic in community mental health. I push the boundaries of the “therapeutic relationship” and really try to get to know my clients and form genuine, authentic relationships. I am a “cool” therapist.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
“Anything is Possible”. Anything is possible in life. I’ve seen guys who have been gambling more than 50+ years and have quit gambling successfully. I have seen guys who have abstained from gambling for 30+ years and have gone out. I have seen NBA teams come back down 3-1 in the finals. Anything is possible, and there is nothing guaranteed in life. I believe that if you are willing to do whatever it takes, you can change.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stopbettingsports.com
- Instagram: ultrasocialworker
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-n3DIEQKFUHeolZfkaCZOA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/stop-betting-sports-los-angeles
