62. Getting Your Time Back From Daily Fantasy Sports
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Release Date: 05/26/2023
81. Feeling Better: Managing Chronic Pain and Gambling
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
If you live with chronic pain and gamble, you're more at risk for developing a gambling problem. If you've had a gambling problem and live with chronic pain and/or health conditions, it's important to get help for both issues to prevent a relapse. In this episode of Fold em, hear Patty's personal story. She tells us that when she was gambling, both physical pain as well as stress and worry decreased. However, over time as gambling got out of control, it made life much more difficult for her. Patty shares how recovery provided her with the patience and support needed to...
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80. Check it Out: GFFR and RRO
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Many people deal with gambling problems on their own. They think, "I'm not as bad as others. I can fix this." For some, they just want to move on and avoid or delay getting help. Others can't stop thinking about the harms gambling has brought into their life, but feel too embarrassed to open up about it. This is our 80th episode of Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems. The one suggestion we've heard from every guest is - don't deal with it on your own. Open up and connect with people who know about gambling issues. In this episode, we tell you how easy...
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79. Is it Time to Make a Change?
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Making changes isn't easy. When gambling gets out of control, change is often more challenging. It can be hard to get to that place where you're ready to pull back from gambling. When you do stop, there are so many other issues to address (finances, relationships, your health) that it can feel overwhelming. It's not unusual to find that gambling hooks you in again. In this episode, we offer guidance on how to get a good start with making whatever changes you want to tackle. We'll offer tips for staying on track and handling setbacks. You hear Shane tell his...
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78. Watch Out for Problem Gambling's Mind Traps
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
As you get pulled into gambling, your thinking changes. Your mind finds ways of convincing you to keep gambling, even when there are signs to stop. To an outsider, ideas such as "a win is just around the corner" or "I have a system that's guaranteed to win" seem irrational. But when you're in it, it feels real and true. In this episode, I'm joined by John Woods. After struggling with gambling for over thirty years, he placed his last bet in January 2017 and went on to write a book called . Listen in and learn about: Five common mind traps of problem gambling How to...
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77. Good Grief: Don't Let Gambling Take You Out
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Experiencing grief and loss is hard enough. But, when grief leads to gambling problems, it gets harder. Grief (like other big stressors) can create risk for gambling getting out of control. It can also set the stage for a relapse if you previously stopped gambling. In this episode of Fold em, we hear from Sam about her experiences with grief and problem gambling and what has helped her with both issues. , a counsellor with who facilitates a workshop on grief and gambling, offers ideas for getting on solid footing again. Listen to episode 77 and hear about: Why grief...
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76. Learning to Trust Again
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
One of the most distressing effects of problem gambling is the way is breaks down trust in relationships. In this episode, we offer guidance on how to rebuild that trust- emotionally and financially. You hear from Regina, who brings much experience on this topic. Seven years into her marriage, Regina's husband revealed he had a gambling addiction. She shares how they rebuilt emotional and financial trust. Regina has also been an active member of for 48 years and shares what she and others have learned and guidance that is offered in meetings and through their...
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75. Answers to Common Questions About Problem Gambling
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
In this episode, you hear from someone whose career has focused on better understanding gambling problems. is a psychiatrist and professor at Yale University and Director of the Centre of Excellence in Gambling Research. Since he's very familiar with the research on gambling addiction, I asked him questions that I commonly hear in the counselling room and from listeners. Listen in and hear about: Why is it that some people become compulsive gamblers and others don't? What's happening in the brain when gambling gets out of control? Are there medications that can...
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74. Gambling Urges: What's Going on in the Brain
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
When you gamble, it affects your brain and body. It's common to experience an urge to gamble. This involves thinking a lot about gambling or winning, having a strong desire to gamble, and feeling restless, anxious, excited and/or irritable. Urges can also continue after you stop gambling and create risk for relapse. In this episode of Fold em, we return to the topic of urges. This time, with a focus on what brain science tells us about urges and how to handle them. I'm joined again by the team from - from the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences at...
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73. Finding Freedom Through Connection
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
You may have heard this before ... gambling problems lead to isolation and the way forward is through connection. Maybe you're thinking, "That sounds nice, but connection is not on my agenda because I'm working all the time to pay off debt and the people in my life don't trust me." Well hang in with us, keep an open mind, and listen to this episode. Bryce reflects upon the past three years since his last bet. He shares about how attending a residential treatment program was an important turning point for him and how the friendships made there have been crucial to his...
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72. "Free" Online Gambling Games
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
There are lots of options for free slots, poker and sports betting online. Seems innocent enough at first glance. However, there can be unexpected risks and costs of "free" online play, particularly if you've previously struggled with keeping gambling in check. In this episode, hear from two people who continued to play free online gambling games after stopping gambling. They talk about their reasons for doing so, the challenges this created, and why they ultimately decided to stop. Listen now and hear about: Why free online gambling games can be risky to play, particularly...
info_outlineLots 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.