Ep. 35 - Gambling Addiction Recovery: First Steps
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 gambling addiction, shares her learnings about what works in the beginning.
Tune in to episode 35 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, to hear my conversation with Allison Rice or keep reading this blog. There’s lots of helpful information for those struggling with gambling as well as for their family, spouses and friends.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
The mess created by gambling can seem insurmountable. But many, many others have overcome these problems.
Learn what worked for them in the beginning and give it a try.
I’m in a Mess Because of Gambling. Now What?
This may be the first time you find yourself in a mess because of gambling. Or, maybe you’ve been through it a few times before. Either way, you’ve likely tried many ways to clean up the mess and keep gambling in check. But, things still aren’t great. The fact that you are reading this is a good sign - it means you are open to new ideas and solutions.
Allison Rice, a counsellor who has helped people with addictions for twenty years, acknowledges that those early days of facing gambling problems are hard. It’s understandable that it seems easier to keep the problem to yourself and handle it on your own. But you know where that will lead …
There are millions of people who are on the other side of gambling problems. That’s possible for you too. A first step is getting guidance from people who know about tackling this problem. Allison calls this getting “insider knowledge.”
In this episode of Fold em, Allison talks about what first steps to take to address gambling addiction.
Key Points from Episode 35 of Fold em - What Works in the Beginning
Connect with people who know about gambling problems: a chat room, Gamblers Anonymous, a counsellor, friends who have been through it. Ideally a place where you can both listen and talk, but podcasts and YouTube can be a good initial start.
Be open to new ideas and willing to take suggestions: listen to what worked for others and be willing to give it a try. If you keep doing the same things you will likely get the same results.
Keep showing up: even if you’re busy, stressed out, feeling so much better or had a relapse - connect regularly with your people who know about gambling problems.
Talk it out: find trustworthy people who know about addiction and run things by them, e.g. stressful things in your week and how you’re handling this. Practice being open and getting feedback. Other people will notice blind spots that you don’t see.
Slow and steady: it’s understandable that you want a fast fix to money and relationship problems brought on by gambling. Trust that well-thought out solutions and genuine repairs will come with time.
Learn more from Allison in episode 35 of Fold em. She talks about the blind spots to watch out for and how to feel better, even when you’re facing hard challenges.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog. Or, tune in directly from Apple or Google podcasts by clicking on the red button below.
Check out other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
Want to Connect With Support and Counselling in British Columbia?
If you live in British Columbia and would like to learn more about free, confidential support and counselling services from Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access our services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Gambling Support BC services are available to residents of British Columbia who are concerned about their own or a loved one’s gambling.
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website, click on the red “Learn More” button below, or connect with us through Facebook.