In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast I speak with Matt Gaskell, the UK's top gambling addiction psychologist.  

Matt is the Clinical Lead & Consultant Psychologist for The NHS Northern Gambling Service, overseeing clinics in Manchester, Leeds, and Sunderland. (The only NHS clinics available outside London). They provide specialist addiction therapy and peer led recovery to people with gambling addiction and are mental health specialists.  

I went into the conversation with 3 main themes:  

How can we define a gambling addiction?  

How can we make gambling safer in the future?  

What help do the NHS clinics provide?  

Matt is a fantastic human being, doing amazing things for so many people affected by gambling. You can follow him on Twitter @MGaskell12 and follow the NHS Northern Gambling Service @NHS_NGS. 👍  

Matt talks openly about the treatment the clinics provide and shares his thoughts on the landscape of the gambling industry. 

It was an honour talking to him and I'm hugely excited for you to hear his expert thoughts and opinions.  

(When it came to finding quotes to use for social media, I could've quoted the whole podcast, there is that much value!).  

Cheers guys,  

Alex

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast, I speak with Katie Reynolds-Jones, head of marketing and communications at GAMSTOP. 

For those of you that don't know, 'GAMSTOP lets you put controls in place to restrict your online gambling activities. You will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing'. (Source: www.gamstop.co.uk). 

After last week's podcast, George mentioned the importance of using GAMSTOP in his recovery, which helped him stop gambling on online slot machines. 🚫 

“There must have been 20 times since I’ve since I’ve self-excluded that I’ve tried to join a casino. It’s great because you just can’t join and then it breaks that process. It’s so easy to do. It was previously so easy to join a casino and then just start gambling. All you need is a break in that habit. All you need is a message saying, 'sorry, you cannot join us'. And then you go off and you get on with your day. It’s amazing how easy it is to break the habit once it’s not accessible." (George Cooper - The Invisible Addiction Podcast 8). 

So, in this week’s episode I wanted to find out more about GAMSTOP and the service they provide.  

How easy is it to sign-up?  

How long does using GAMSTOP last?  

Does GAMSTOP affect credit rating?  

It’s a podcast I’ve been looking forward to sharing with you, especially to help people make that first step of stopping gambling and putting you back in control. 🔐  

Katie was chatty, warm and friendly and navigated her way through my ‘thought-provoking' questions! (Read: at times, rather silly questions from this side of the fence!).  

Thanks for listening guys,  

Alex 😊

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast, I speak with George, who shares his gambling addiction story.  

George discusses his relationship with slot machines on online casinos, and how at it’s worse led him to gamble £300 per spin. 💷 

He openly talks about how quickly the addiction took control of his life, spending monthly pay cheques within the first few hours and structuring his days around gambling, particularly addicted to the little rushes that slots give you.   

George also mentions how he stopped gambling by using GAMSTOP (which excludes you from betting websites) and shares brilliant advice and tips on how he did it.  

George, a freelance journalist and editor, continues to raise awareness of problem gambling with articles in the media, and on his personal blog. You can reach out to him on Twitter @GeorgeICooper (I definitely recommend giving him a follow!). 👍  

He’s a great guy and his story is one that will be highly relatable to fellow gamblers. 

Thanks for listening, 

Alex

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast, I speak with Darren, who shares his gambling addiction story.  

Darren talks openly about his relationship with roulette, in bookies and on online casinos, and how at it’s worse led him to gamble £500 per spin. 💷

He also discusses the strain it took on his personal relationships and how he reached out for help during his darkest days.  

It’s been 5 years since Darren’s last bet, and he shares valuable tips and advice for people wanting to give up gambling, especially that first hurdle.   

Darren continues to help and support others going through a gambling addiction, passing on his knowledge and experience on the @rule_ette_out social media pages and blog. (I recommend giving him a follow!). 👍   

Darren talks with raw honesty and it's a podcast I could relate to a lot. (You’ll have to forgive us having the odd football chat too!). ⚽

Cheers guys, 

Alex

In the final episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast, I speak to Ed Stoner, founder of Now We Win.  

Ed suffered from compulsive gambling in his late teens and early twenties. 

I wanted to find out more about his story.  

How did he get into betting?  

When did it go from being fun to a problem?  

What help did he receive in recovery? 

What is life like post-addiction?  

Ed has a fascinating background, working as a football agent in Africa and Brand Strategist for Adidas in USA and Germany. He’s since setup Now We Win, a social enterprise sports brand hosting workouts to tackle gambling addiction. 

It’s an inspiring podcast and one I’m proud to share with you.  

Instagram: @nowwewin 

*** 

So, this episode wraps-up the series.  

I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all the guests for taking part. They’ve given up their time for free and I am eternally grateful. Thank you, Emily, George, Shaniqua, Becky, Jouni and Ed. I hope their stories and experiences have inspired you as much as they’ve inspired me!  

And I would like to say a huge thank you - to you – for listening. It wouldn’t be a podcast without any listeners!  

It’s crazy to think the idea for The Invisible Addiction was born out of lockdown. During this time, I released a podcast about my own experience with problem gambling. It had a positive response and was strangely soothing, to let go of several demons.   

And so – in unusual circumstances - the idea to help others in recovery was born.    

I’d like to say a big thank you to my brother Bertie who has been brilliant behind the scenes. He’s helped keep me focused and stay on track. Thanks bro. Love you man.   

I’d also like to say a massive thank you to everyone on social media. The recovery community – especially on Instagram and Twitter – is incredible. It’s tight-knit and supportive and you feel like people have ‘got your back’. I’ve met (virtually of course!) lots of people and it’s great to be in touch with people from the gambling industry, journalists, phycologists, researchers, people in recovery… the list goes on.  

It’s been great to hear from so many of you. It makes me feel so happy and proud to know the podcasts are helping you. I’m not going to lie, the other day on Twitter, after someone commented with a ‘loving the podcasts, keep it up’, I had a couple of tears. It means so much. Honestly. You have no idea.   

It’s because of this that I’m absolutely delighted to announce they’ll be a second series of podcasts. There are some amazing guests coming up, people I never thought I’d be able to talk to. (A few pinch-yourself moments!). I’m excited for you to hear them.   

Stay tuned for Series 2 towards the end of the summer.   

In the meantime, look out for videos on YouTube. I’m posting a series of videos, around 10 minutes in length, with stories and anecdotes from my personal experiences with gambling. Look out for them every Sunday at 7pm.    

So, to everyone that’s listened to the podcasts, followed on social media, or been in touch – thank you for your continued support. Let’s keep spreading the message and raising awareness together.  

Wishing you well. 

Alex :) 

P.S. One last thing... 

It would be amazing if you could leave a review and rating of the podcast on iTunes, which helps spread the word about The Invisible Addiction, especially in the mental health category. (Let’s try and get above Fearne Cotton in the rankings, eh?! Not that I’m competitive or anything!). 

Thanks very much guys and speak to you soon. 

Alex

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast I speak with Jouni, a trained hypnotherapist. 

I wanted to find out what impact an addiction has on the brain.

How does it effect a person’s outlook on life?

What advice and tips does he have for people in recovery?

How do you get to the root of the problem?

It’s a fascinating conversation that sheds light on how to tackle an addiction. It’s not relevant just to gambling, but to other addictions as well.

***

Check-out Jouni's podcast 'Are Men from Mars?' which treats you to conversations about men's mental health.

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast I speak with Becky, a trained and registered mental health nurse.

A few of you recently got in touch wanting to find out what help is available for people struggling with their problem gambling. I've tried my best to point you in the right direction, but as I'm no trained professional I thought it would be good for you to hear from someone who can help you.

I wanted to find out what advice and tips Becky has for people wanting to improve their mental health?

What help is available in the UK?

Who can people turn to in a time of need?

It's a really good conversation that I know will help some of you suffering right now.

In this episode I speak with a woman whose partner suffered from gambling problems.

I wanted to find out whether she recognised any signs of his gambling? 

How did she find out? 

What effect did this have on the relationship?

In this episode of The Invisible Addiction podcast I speak with former Premier League footballer George Parris about his struggles with gambling. I wanted to find out a bit more about his story.  

How did he get into betting?  

How did his addiction affect others around him?  

What help did he get?

In the podcast George mentions his work with Breakeven, a GamCare counselling partner, which offers free counselling to anyone affected by problem gambling.  Visit their website: www.breakeven.org.uk

In the first episode of The Invisible Addiction Podcast, I speak to a secondary school teacher. I started gambling at 18 so I wanted to find out what the situation is like at schools. 

Can we build a picture of young people who gamble?

How do they bet?

What more can be done to educate our youngsters?