Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems Adrienne Cossom

Making changes isn't easy.  When gambling gets out of control, change is often more challenging.  It can be hard to get to that place where you're ready to pull back from gambling.  When you do stop, there are so many other issues to address (finances, relationships, your health) that it can feel overwhelming.  It's not unusual to find that gambling hooks you in again.
In this episode, we offer guidance on how to get a good start with making whatever changes you want to tackle.  We'll offer tips for staying on track and handling setbacks.  You hear Shane tell his personal story about stopping gambling and getting his life in balance.  Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, a Clinical Psychologist from Toronto, shares practical suggestions for being successful with change.
Listen to episode 79 to hear:
A personal story of taking action to stop gambling and get life back in balance Strategies for getting a good start when making changes for yourself How to avoid setbacks and get back on track when they happen To read a summary of this episode, go to the blog at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.  To hear an earlier conversation with Shane about preventing relapse, listen to episode 69 (Sept 22, 2023).  To connect with Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, visit her website at drtaslim.com.
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.
If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
To connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
Thanks for listening!
 

As you get pulled into gambling, your thinking changes.  Your mind finds ways of convincing you to keep gambling, even when there are signs to stop.  To an outsider, ideas such as "a win is just around the corner" or "I have a system that's guaranteed to win" seem irrational.  But when you're in it, it feels real and true.
In this episode, I'm joined by John Woods.  After struggling with gambling for over thirty years, he placed his last bet in January 2017 and went on to write a book called Gambling Addiction Explained: How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Life.
Listen in and learn about:
Five common mind traps of problem gambling How to recognize and resist gambling's mind traps Why seeking help and guidance can free your mind from problem gambling To find out more about problem gambling's mind traps, read the blog for this episode at www.problemgamblinghelp.ca.  You can also download John's free report on Mind Traps at www.gamblingaddictionexplained.com.  Purchase his book Gambling Addiction Explained on Amazon or through his website.  
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.
To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:
Canada:  click here
United States:  National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom:  GamCare
Australia:  Gamblers' Help
If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.
 If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
To connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
 
 
 

Experiencing grief and loss is hard enough.  But, when grief leads to gambling problems, it gets harder.
Grief (like other big stressors) can create risk for gambling getting out of control.  It can also set the stage for a relapse if you previously stopped gambling. 
In this episode of Fold em, we hear from Sam about her experiences with grief and problem gambling and what has helped her with both issues.  Heidi Furrer, a counsellor with Gambling Support BC who facilitates a workshop on grief and gambling, offers ideas for getting on solid footing again.
Listen to episode 77 and hear about:
Why grief and loss can trigger gambling problems How to cope with both grief and problem gambling The benefits of continuing to stay connected to a loved one who has died To learn more, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.  Inspiration for this episode came from Lorraine Hedtke's work on Re-membering Practices.  Find out more at www.rememberingpractices.com.
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.
To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:
Canada:  click here
United States:  National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom:  GamCare
Australia:  Gamblers' Help
If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.
To connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
Connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
 Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
 

One of the most distressing effects of problem gambling is the way is breaks down trust in relationships.  In this episode, we offer guidance on how to rebuild that trust- emotionally and financially.
You hear from Regina, who brings much experience on this topic.  Seven years into her marriage, Regina's husband revealed he had a gambling addiction.  She shares how they rebuilt emotional and financial trust.  Regina has also been an active member of Gam-Anon for 48 years and shares what she and others have learned and guidance that is offered in meetings and through their literature.  Spouses, parents and family as well as those who have had a gambling problem will all find this episode helpful.
Listen now to episode 76 and learn:
How to rebuild emotional and financial trust in relationships impacted by gambling What to do if the person you care about isn't ready to stop gambling or get help How spouses and family can decrease their own guilt and anxiety as well as learn to trust themselves again If you would like to learn more about rebuilding trust, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.  You can purchase Gam-Anon's literature at www.gam-anon.org or find an e-format on Amazon.  
Gam-Anon meetings are available in person and virtually throughout the world.  Visit their meeting directory at www.gam-anon.org.
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.  Our outreach and counselling services are available to anyone struggling with their own or a loved one's gambling.
To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:
Canada:  click here
United States:  National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom:  GamCare
Australia:  Gamblers' Help
If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.
 If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
If you would like to connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
 

In this episode, you hear from someone whose career has focused on better understanding gambling problems.  Dr. Marc Potenza is a psychiatrist and professor at Yale University and Director of the Centre of Excellence in Gambling Research.  
Since he's very familiar with the research on gambling addiction, I asked him questions that I commonly hear in the counselling room and from listeners.  
Listen in and hear about:
Why is it that some people become compulsive gamblers and others don't? What's happening in the brain when gambling gets out of control? Are there medications that can help with cravings? Does treatment work? We cover a lot of ground in this conversation, so if you would like to read a summary, visit the blog at www.problemgamblinghelp.ca.
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.
To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:
Canada:  click here
United States:  National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom:  GamCare
Australia:  Gamblers' Help
If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.
 If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
To connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
 

When you gamble, it affects your brain and body. It's common to experience an urge to gamble.  This involves thinking a lot about gambling or winning, having a strong desire to gamble, and feeling restless, anxious, excited and/or irritable.  Urges can also continue after you stop gambling and create risk for relapse.
In this episode of Fold em, we return to the topic of urges. This time, with a focus on what brain science tells us about urges and how to handle them.  I'm joined again by the team from Brain Connections - Dr. Iris Balodis from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at McMaster University and Deirdre Querney, MSW, a counsellor specializing in gambling problems for the past twenty three years.  Brain Connections is an online resource about gambling addiction and the brain.
Listen to episode 74 and hear about:
How to recognize triggers and urges What is going on in the brain with gambling urges What to THINK and DO when experiencing urges to gamble To read a summary of this episode, visit the blog at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.  You can also learn more about urges at www.brainconnections.ca.
If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services.  Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.
To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:
Canada:  click here
United States:  National Council on Problem Gambling
United Kingdom:  GamCare
Australia:  Gamblers' Help
If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.
 If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:
Gamblers Anonymous
Gam-Anon
GamTalk (online chat forum)
Recovery Road Online
Gamblers in Recovery
The Broke Girl Society
 If you would like to connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast.  You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com.  We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.
Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.