Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems

Lots of people are playing fantasy sports. For some, particularly when you play daily or with multiple lineups, it can take up increasing amounts of time, focus and money. Steve Delaney joins us to share his experiences with this and how, for him, Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) turned into something that was stressful, costly and all-consuming.

Listen now to this episode and hear about:

• The tricky ways that DFS can get out of hand
• How to recognize signs of this in yourself and others
• How DFS became a problem (twice) for Steve and what he and his wife did to address it
• Steve's reflections on the need for more warnings to the public about the risks of fantasy sports betting as well as help and treatment services for those who need it.

If you would like to read more about why DFS can get out of control, signs of this, and where to get help, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you would like to hear more from Steve Delaney about his journey of recovery both from substance use and a gambling problem, listen to his fantastic podcast: Fantasy or Reality? The GPP. It's available on all podcast apps. You can also reach out to him at [email protected].

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 Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also reach out through [email protected]. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

When spouses and family members learn about a loved one's gambling problem, money issues come into the open. Usually this involves debt and it feels overwhelming and emotional. Typically, people don't know what to do. There is often a reflex to step in and pay things off quickly.

In this episode of Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, we offer guidance for spouses, family members and the person who has gambled. I'm joined by Margaret Johnson, who has thirty years experience helping people overcome debt. She is the President of Solutions Credit Counselling Service, Inc.

Listen in and hear about:

• First steps spouses and family can take after finding out about gambling debt
• How to move forward, whether you intend to stay in the relationship or separate
• How to get a clear picture of the financial situation, regain control of household finances and protect your financial security
• What to consider if you are thinking of using family finances to pay off gambling debt

If you would like to read a summary of Margaret's key recommendations from this episode and learn more about addressing gambling debt, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you would like to connect with Margaret Johnson, reach out to her at Solutions Credit Counselling Service, Inc.

If you live in Canada and would like to access help with gambling debt:

• Find a credit counselling service near you in Canada. Click here.
• Find a Licensed Insolvency Trustees near you in Canada. Click here.
• Find free legal services near you in Canada. Click here.

If you live outside of Canada, search online for "credit counselling services," licensed solvency trustee," and "pro bono legal services" in your region.

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 Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also reach out through [email protected]. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

It's not easy to talk openly about gambling issues. Nor is it easy to talk about living with mental health issues. In this episode, hear an open, thoughtful and inspiring conversation about one man's experiences with Bipolar Disorder and how this contributed to drinking, gambling and gaming getting out of hand for him. Hear how he is now free of gambling and living well. He teaches us about how to watch out for switching addictions.

Listen and learn about:

• The connections between mental health issues, gambling and substance addiction
• How to notice if you're switching addictions
• How to find healthy replacements for gambling
• Strategies to live well and stay in balance

If you would like to learn more about what the research says about the connections between mental health issues, gambling and substance addiction and strategies for preventing switching addictions, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you would like to access help for mental health issues:

• resources in Canada
• resources in the United States
• resources in Great Britain

If you live outside of these areas, do an online search for mental health help in your country.

If you live in British Columbia and would like to access our free, confidential counselling and outreach services for gambling concerns, 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. You can also reach out through [email protected]. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

It can be frustrating if you've promised yourself to pull back from gambling and then find you're back at it again. Sometimes this happens the next day. Sometimes after a month, year or more.

It's not easy or simple to stay away from gambling when you're really hooked in to it. But as difficult as setbacks are, it's an opportunity to see more clearly what you need to do differently going forward.

In this episode of Fold em, two people share their experiences of gambling relapses and how they are managing things differently now. My colleague, Manj Bath, who is a counsellor specializing in gambling problems, joins me to share tips for recognizing when you're vulnerable to a relapse and what can help to prevent this.

Listen now and learn:

• How you and your support people can watch out for signs of relapse
• Strategies for managing triggers and cravings
• Why it's important to have a relapse plan - including what to do if gambling gets out of control again

For more information on how to make a solid relapse prevention plan for yourself or with a loved one who struggles with gambling read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

Fold em is taking a short break around Easter in April 2023. The next episode will be released on April 28, 2023.

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. You can also reach out through [email protected]. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

John Woods knows a lot about gambling addiction. He gambled for 30 years and tried it all - slots, horse races, online poker and sports betting. John knows about hitting rock bottom because of gambling, the promises you make to yourself to stop, and the tricky ways it pulls you back in. But most importantly, he has first hand experience with overcoming a gambling addiction and is six years from his last bet. During these six years, he set about learning about this isssue and has written a book, "Gambling Addiction Explained: How to STOP Gambling and Regain Control of Your Life.

In this episode, John shares his personal story with gambling problems and thoughts on:

• How the mind deludes you into thinking you're in control with gambling when you clearly are not
• How to watch out for relapses
• What helped him to break free of gambling problems and ideas for others wanting to do the same

For more information on the delusions of control that are a part of problem gambling, read the blog for this episode at www.problemgamblinghelp.ca.

If you would like to read John's book, Gambling Addiction Explained, visit his website at www.gamblingaddictionexplained.com. The book is also available on Amazon, Audible and Spotify. Connect with John on Facebook at Gambling Addiction Explained.

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.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

If you would like to connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also reach out through [email protected]. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Gambling problems put a huge strain on relationships and finances. It's hard to know what to do and where to turn for help.

Listen to this episode to hear from someone who gets it and got through it. Jane talks openly about how her marriage and family were impacted by her husband's gambling, what she learned from relapses, and what helped to stabilize their finances and rebuild the relationship after he stopped gambling.

Jane brings much wisdom to this conversation - not only from her personal experience, but also from seventeen years of active involvement with Gam-Anon.

Tune in and hear:

• What didn't work in their early attempts to address the gambling problem
• What helped to stop the gambling and bring more stability to their family
• Ideas for handling money issues when a loved one has a gambling problem
• Suggestions and encouragement for spouses, family and friends impacted by someone's gambling
• What is Gam-Anon and how to get connected to meetings

For more information about how to address gambling concerns and their financial impact, go to the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you would like to connect with Gam-Anon, wherever you are in the world, here's how:

Website: https://www.Gam-Anon.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (US#) 718-352-1671

Reach out and learn about the Gam-Anon and find out about in-person, virtual and phone meetings in the US, Canada and internationally. You can see the literature Gam-Anon has available for purchase.

For those of you living in British Columbia, here's how to connect with Gam-Anon and find out about meetings:

Website: https://www.gabc.ca

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 1-855-222-5542 (24/7 Gamblers Anonymous hotline with a live person answering each call. Callers who have been impacted by someone else's gambling have the option of being referred to a Gam-Anon member).

To connect with free outreach and counselling services in British Columbia:

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.

When gambling becomes a habit, you likely are not even aware of having urges and cravings to gamble. You just do it automatically. When you decide to pull back or stop gambling, then you might notice that it's hard to resist urges to gamble.

In this episode, we help you to slow things down and notice gambling triggers, urges and cravings. We also offer strategies for riding through these, so you can feel more in control of gambling.

Hear from two people with a lot of experience on this topic. Eva and Don both decided to stop gambling about four years ago. They share their experience with cravings as they were gambling, in the early days after they decided to stop, and now as urges still pop up.

Listen to episode 56 and hear about:

• how to recognize your gambling urges and cravings
• how to notice what triggers these gambling cravings
• strategies to cope with and decrease gambling urges
• encouragement and inspiration to pull back from gambling if it's causing stress and problems

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.

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.

The expansion of sports betting in North America had a headstart in the United Kingdom. In this episode, hear from James who lived through this in Britain. He talks about the impact on him of increased online access to sports betting and betting groups. And how what was once a Saturday afternoon trip to the betting shop to wager on a football game shifted into a daily habit on his phone.

Listen now to this great conversation and hear about:

• why sports betting can become a daily habit that takes up more and more of your mental space
• why it can be hard to pull away once it becomes a habit, even though it's having a negative impact
• James' three key strategies for breaking a sports betting habit: cut off access, find your purpose, and talk about it
• what to say to friends and family who gamble when you decide to "retire" from sports betting

For more information and help if you are thinking about cutting back or retiring from sports betting, read the blog for this episode at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.

If you would like to connect with James and check out his fantastic travel podcast - Winging It Travel Podcast, click here.

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 Fold em Podcast. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

I'm joined by SIX people who host and produce podcasts about gambling problems. They all have personal experience with this issue and have done a lot of work to address it, so don't miss this conversation.

Hear about all of their podcasts and what each can offer you. For those making New Year's resolutions listen to a great discussion about how to kick start doing things differently with gambling in 2023. We also talk about how to keep the momentum going if you've already pulled back from gambling and want to avoid it getting out of control again.

Listen and learn about:

• six different podcasts for gambling problems and get to know the hosts
• what worked for them as they first started to address gambling issues
• what helped them to stay on track and prevent a relapse
• how life can feel better - more quickly than you think

If you would like to watch the video of this conversation, check it out at Fold em Podcast on YouTube.

Here's who joined me on this episode and the link for their podcast:

The After Gambling Podcast. Host: Jamie

ALL IN: The Addicted Gambler's Podcast. Host: Brian H

The Broke Girl Society Podcast. Host: Christina

Fall In: The Problem Gambling Podcast For Military Service Members and Veterans. Host: Dave

Fantasy or Reality? The GPP. Host: Steve

Voices .. The Podcast. Host: Brian W.

You can also see Brian H and Christina on their YouTube Channel: The Bet Free Life.

If you would like to learn more about these and other podcasts for gambling problems, visit 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.