Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems

Most of us gamble.  In British Columbia, nearly 75% of adults gambled at least once in the past year.  For some (about 3-4% of adults), it gets out of hand and causes problems. If you gamble, how do you keep it in check?  What limits should you set for yourself? How do you stick to these limits? In this episode, we tell you about guidelines that have recently been developed in Canada to help you r...

There are many options for help, support and treatment for gambling concerns.  Everyone is different so it's important to find what works best for you. In this episode, hear Brian's personal experiences with various recovery programs.  He is now a Certified Gambling Recovery Peer Mentor and shares tips for moving forward. Listen now to learn: what's available to help with gambling concerns how to...

A common question with gambling problems is, "Why Can't I Stop?"  In this episode we hear from Deirdre Querney, MSW , and Dr. Iris Balodis who answer this question by telling us about the brain and gambling addiction.    Tune in to learn about: how gambling addiction changes the brain why people with gambling addiction have a hard time pulling back from positive rewards how changes to the brain ar...

It's hard on parents and families when an adult son or daughter have a gambling problem. In this episode of Fold em, a mother shares what she has learned as her son dealt with gambling addiction for the past seven years.  Irene Tang , who has counselled families through gambling problems for twenty-five years, share strategies for moving forward. Listen to learn: how to respond to requests for fin...

Gambling problems can create a lot of stress in families.  Children and young people may not know that a parent or caregiver is struggling with gambling, but they feel the impact. In this episode, we hear from Dr. Toula Kourgiantakis about: how parental gambling problems affect families and children signs that a young person is impacted by a parent's gambling problem how to support young people an...

In this episode, hear my conversation with a former sports better about: how sports betting took over his life what happened when family got involved how he solved a debt problem what helped him to get to 10-months without a bet his suggestions for others who have had sports betting take over their life Learn more about why it's hard to step back from sports betting and strategies that can help. ...

Gambling problems can return, and addiction may show up again in different ways.  To keep your momentum going, take steps to prevent a relapse and rebuild your life and relationships. Allison Rice , a counsellor specializing in gambling problems, offers guidance learned from 20-years of working with people to overcome addiction Learn more about preventing relapse and rebuilding your life in the bl...

As you begin to face gambling problems, it's hard to know if you're on track.  To keep things moving in a positive direction, it's helpful to get guidance from people who have been through it.  Allison Rice , a counsellor specializing in addiction, shares her learnings about what works in the beginning.  This episode offers guidance for those struggling with gambling as well as their family, spous...

Permission giving thoughts come up to justify, rationalize and allow gambling to happen - even when part of you isn't so sure about it. In this episode, learn how to notice your permission giving thoughts so you can slow things down and have more control of gambling choices. A former gambler gives examples of her permission giving thoughts.  Jackie Jankovic , a counsellor specializing in gambling...

There has been a dramatic increase in advertising for sports betting as well opportunities to place a bet.  However, the public conversation has been pretty silent about gambling problems associated with sports betting. John Simmons shares his personal story about an addiction with poker and sports betting.  He's a former casino worker and talks openly about the challenges of dealing with a gambli...

Listen in for information and first hand experience with managing adult ADHD.  We explain why adults with ADHD are at increased risk for gambling problems.  Hear about strategies specifically for adults with ADHD - how to keep gambling in check and how to prevent a relapse if you struggle with compulsive gambling. I'm joined by Darryl Anderson , a counsellor who works in mental health settings and...

If you gamble and have ADHD there is a greater risk that gambling will become a severe problem. In this episode, learn about the symptoms of ADHD and challenges of living with it as an adult. Darryl Anderson , a Clinical Counsellor specializing in mental health and gambling concerns, explains why ADHD increases the risk for gambling problems.  He also shares about his process of recognizing ADHD i...

After gambling gets out of hand, both the gambler and their family want to know ... How do we make sure this doesn't happen again? How do we rebuild trust between us?  Not all relationships survive gambling addiction.  But, if you're committed to working together, this episode offers guidance and inspiration. Hear Sam's story of opening up to her husband early in their relationship about a gamblin...

As part of her recovery, Christina reached out to find others who had been pulled into compulsive gambling.  She wanted to create more opportunities for those dealing with gambling problems - particularly women - to connect and know they are not alone.  What emerged is that Christina founded The Broke Girl Society as a thriving group on Facebook and a popular podcast. Listen to my conversation wit...

It often takes a number of tries to break free from a gambling problem.  Like peeling back the layers of an onion, each time gambling gets out of control, it tells you that something more or different is needed for you to better manage this issue.  Often what is needed is a willingness to look a little deeper within yourself and open up. Hear a powerful and inspiring conversation with an Indigenou...

Dealing with a gambling problem involves difficult decisions about who and when to tell and how much to share.   Hear one woman's experiences with family finding out about her gambling and the dilemma that emerged about whether to tell extended family.  She shares lessons learned from opening up to friends and surprising outcomes from being honest with new acquaintances.  Listen now for helpful gu...

Online gambling can be tricky to control.  Our devices are nearby.  Deposits happen so quickly.   Hear first-hand experience and a long list of helpful strategies from someone who gambled online for ten years and has now shut it down.  Learn about options for blocking gambling websites and apps.  Benjamin Wong , who has helped many people chose and install blocking software, provides guidance on t...

Even after gambling gets out of hand, it's common to want to keep it going.  Or, to keep a door open to gambling in the future.  Some typical thoughts are, "I learned my lesson, now I'll control it," "It's not such a big deal," OR "I can't just turn my back on all the money that was lost."   Listen to this episode and hear an honest conversation with a gambler who continued gambling while in a deb...

When gambling has gotten out of hand, it can leave you heavy with regret, anger and guilt.  Both gamblers and their family members feel this way.  It's common to wonder if you'll ever shake these feelings. Hear my conversation with two former gamblers about what helped them to reach a place where they can look at themselves in the mirror again.  Learn steps you can take to start moving in that dir...

Online chat rooms are a great way to get support and information for gambling problems.  You can stay anonymous, share at your own pace, connect 24/7 and get inspired by people around the world who are also tackling this issue. Listen to my conversation with Ken who has participated with online chat communities for much of his 19-years of recovery.  He says that chat continues to provide him with...

Many people are reluctant to attend a gambling support group.  However, there is something about connecting with people who are addressing the same issues that not only brings so much relief, but more importantly, is really helpful.   Hear from a poker player about why he decided to try groups and then has kept going for the past four years.  My colleague, Matt McLean , shares how online groups ar...

There is increasing awareness that not only substances (alcohol and drugs) can be addictive, but also that some of the activities we do for enjoyment can become excessive and cause problems.  This can happen with gambling, gaming, social media, sex, shopping and eating.  Sometimes people can develop problems with more than one substance or behaviour.  If you or someone you care about has struggled...

Breaking free from an alcohol or drug problem is a major achievement.  But addiction is tricky and can show up in other ways without you being initially aware.  Maybe you find yourself in some of the same patterns of isolating and keeping secrets, but this time with gambling, gaming, eating or sex. Listen to my conversation with someone who was twenty years alcohol free when he found himself with...

When you are in the midst of a gambling addiction, your mind tells you the most dubious things to keep it all going. Just because you stop, these thoughts don't immediately disappear. Listen to a conversation with on online poker player about his process of breaking free from an addiction mindset.  Hear how initially he had one foot in recovery and one foot out. Learn how he reached eleven months...

As casinos reopen around the world, many are excited and others are nervous. If you gamble or know someone who does, take a moment and listen to this episode. Hear two people in recovery share their experiences with relapse and what they are doing to stay gambling free. Learn from Margaret Sigsworth , who has worked with gamblers on the casino floor and in the community for 13 years about sticking...