It can be tricky to know when gambling goes from having a bit of fun to causing more losses than you actually want or can manage. For others it escalates quickly.

This episode helps people understand what ‘harmful’ gambling actually is. We interview two people who share their gambling stories and reflect back on how it all started – Elizabeth who gambled on the pokies and Dan whose sports / horse gambling got out of control. We also chat to Sheryl, a Gambler’s Help counsellor about the different levels of gambling harm.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 1 – Is your gambling harmful? appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

For some people caught in the trap of gambling it can seem totally impossible to see the (gamble free) light at the end of the tunnel.

Meet Paul who lost thousands on horse betting and Connie who loved the pokies from day one. Both experienced massive losses across all aspects of their lives and after seeking all sorts of help they are both now free from gambling.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 2 – Inspiring stories of hope and recovery appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

If you’re thinking of making some changes to your gambling it can be hard to know where to start. This episode looks at what type of help is available from professional services, how it works, what it’s like and how it can help.

Ben shares his story of making a frightening leap into counselling and we hear from a Gambler’s Help Counsellor and Financial Counsellor who explain the help these services can offer.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 3 – Getting Help appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

Professional help isn’t for everyone. This episode looks at ways to help yourself and we hear from Dr Sophie Vasiliadis who has researched the different ways people help themselves out of a gambling problem. We speak with Kate, who experienced a crippling pokies addiction and eventually stopped using peer support and her own ideas and resources. We also hear about the Peer Connection Program (a telephone peer support program) and how the Self Exclusion Program works.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 4 – Getting More Help appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

Perhaps the pokies are starting to feature a bit too much in your life or perhaps they are already out of control? This episode explores the addictive nature of poker machines with Dr Charles Livingstone and we hear from Sarah who suddenly found herself entranced in the pokies venue and Cathie who finally worked out she was using the pokies to escape from family issues in her life.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 5 – The Pokies appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

24/7 punting device in your pocket, sports betting ads everywhere and hanging out with mates talking odds, it’s no wonder young men are fast becoming one of the biggest punting groups across the country. Hear from two young men who talk about their gambling (sports, horses and pokies) problems and how they managed the drinking, friends and life style that went with the gambling when they decided to stop. We also chat to Dr Samantha Thomas about how all that advertising is influencing the way you gamble.

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 6 – Young men and gambling appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

Relapses, triggers and urges – more often than not they are part of a harmful gambling experience. Gabi Byrne, who experienced a pokies addiction herself talks about her research into relapse prevention and Jay talks about how he managed some of his urges and triggers whilst giving up playing the pokies. Sheryl, a Gambler’s Help Counsellor explores what’s going in your brain when you experience a trigger or an urge and how relapse can be a silver lining in the recovery process.

The post Episode 7 – Relapses, triggers and urges appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

Drugs, alcohol and gambling can be a chaotic and damaging mix. In this episode Ian shares his history of drinking, drug taking and horse /sports and casino gambling that started from a very young age and we also talk to Christel, who after a marriage break up, found drinking in a pokies venue kept her there far longer than she wanted. Dr Victoria Manning also provides some professional insights into the risks with drinking, drugs and gambling. 

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 8 – Alcohol, drugs and gambling appeared first on Not a Dollar More.

For every person who is experiencing problem gambling there are an estimated 7 others who are also impacted by this gambling harm. It can be a life filled with anxiety, chaos and endlessly wondering what to do. We talk to Allison whose mother developed a damaging pokies addiction when she was a child and Chandana whose husband began gambling heavily when they moved to Australia. We also talk to Sophia Alexandra, a GH Counsellor who explains why it’s important to get help for yourself. 

*All our interviews are based on the experiences and opinions of the individuals interviewed and may contain some course language. Our stories are real stories and we hope they inspire hope and change. However, if you feel distressed by anything you hear please see the ‘Getting Help’ section for services that can help.

The post Episode 9 – Affected others appeared first on Not a Dollar More.