An adult content creator, Elisha Cook, who is from Bournemouth in the United Kingdom, has narrated her financial debt ordeal and how she tried to pay it off by opening an Onlyfan page.
The 28-year-old Bournemouth mum revealed she was suffering from a seven-year gambling addiction.
Elisha Louise incurred a debt of £20,000 while “trying to make money [on the slot machines]”. Well, according to her, “it was enjoyable as well”, thanks to the thought “about the potential of a big win”.
“I turned £10 into £20, so I thought I could double larger amounts.
“Next I turned £1,000 into £6,000, then I would go and spend that money back.
“It was like entering a different world. Then I’d step out of it after and think ‘what have I just done?'”
Desperate to pay cover her gambling losses, she worked 80 hours a week as both a carer and a factory worker.
“About a year in, I started to see real consequences like being unable to pay my rent, but I just kept telling myself I would win it back.”
As her daughter reached school age, Elisha decided to start making content on OnlyFans.
She switched to making OnlyFans content because “it was an opportunity to make money”.
“It wouldn’t have crossed my mind before,” she said.
“My daughter was at school then, so I needed to be there at 3pm. I couldn’t work 80 hours a week anymore.
“Having sex became about work rather than joy, pleasure and intimacy.
“I didn’t want to do it anymore so I closed it down, it’s not something that I’m proud of.
“There’s so much more to someone’s story, so before you judge – think about why that person’s doing what they’re doing.”
Although she made thousands from selling adult-rated content, her earnings were still being spent on gambling.
In June 2024, Elisha closed the account after telling her mum the truth about the struggles of her addiction.
“A lot of women are ashamed and embarrassed, they don’t want to tell their families because they’re scared of the judgement,” the mum admitted.
“My mum took control of my finances, I could talk to her whenever I was scared I was going to relapse.
“You have to use the determination you have for gambling to fight to get your life back.
“I’m making the most of every day. I missed my twenties and I’m not going to let it ruin the next ten years.”
Elisha is now sharing her story online to raise awareness about the severity of gambling addictions and “how much better her life is without it”.
