Tommy “Taiga” Le has spoken at length about his personal journey through gambling addiction and how he has fought his way towards recovery. The story was brought forth in a recent article by the Norwegian outlet VG.
Here’s some lessons from his journey we should all take note of.
Understanding Taiga’s Battle with Gambling
Taiga’s story begins with his passion for esports and his dream to excel. However, a disappointing seventh-place finish at The International 2022 (TI11) led to a loss of motivation and a gap in his life, which he tried to fill with gambling.
Taiga started with small bets of 100 Norwegian kroner. However, his betting gradually escalated, resulting in the loss of a substantial amount of his earnings. The player said that this amounted to over $600K, in addition to his regular salary. His gambling addiction began after TI11, initially focusing on the FIFA World Cup 2022 and later expanding to other sports and casino games. Taiga expressed regret over losing the fruits of his hard work to gambling.
He has since taken a unique approach to remind himself of the dangers of gambling. Every morning, his alarm sends a message to the player:
“Don’t gamble, or you’ll die.”
His public admission of his gambling problem was met with an outpouring of support, evidenced by thousands of messages from fans and the community.
A lot of you have been wondering where I’ve been for the past year, so here’s my explanation.
It’s time to leave the past behind, and welcome the future with open arms💙
Like I mentioned in the text down below, if you ever need anyone to talk to or if you’ve struggled with… pic.twitter.com/jesYSJ47LR
— Tommy Le (@Taigadota) October 30, 2023
Taiga reveals Dota 2 career challenges
Taiga’s professional life took a downturn starting in May 2023, marked by his frequent absences from playing with Team OG. This led to rumors about his possible involvement in match-fixing. He later revealed his struggles with anxiety and depression, which necessitated a break from competitive play.
The path to recovery began with an honest confrontation of his addiction, sharing his challenges with family and friends. This step, though difficult, marked the beginning of his journey toward healing, with therapy playing a crucial role.
Taiga is now committed to returning to competitive Dota 2. He has shown a renewed interest in playing Dota 2, streaming, and revisiting his former hobbies.
His latest move includes joining Bleed Esports in November 2023, indicating his ongoing commitment to his career and recovery. Most recently, Taiga was seen in action at the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 SEA Closed Qualifier. Here, the team finished in 5th to 6th place.
Please remember to do everything in moderation.
Deixar um comentário