As you gamble more, it's common to notice more urges and impulses to gamble. These cravings can lead to gambling becoming a habit. They also can make it hard to decrease or stop gambling.

In this episode, I'm joined by Kari Olson, who is a counsellor with Gambling Support BC who specializing in gambling problems, substance addiction and trauma. She helps us to understand why cravings happen and strategies for surfing through them.

Listen now and learn:

• what happens in the brain with cravings
• why it can be so hard to resist giving in to cravings to gamble
• three helpful strategies for riding through a craving: delay, distract, and decide
• how to decrease urges and cravings if you are pulling back or stopping gambling

For more information and strategies for managing urges and cravings to gamble, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you live in British Columbia and would like to access 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 Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.