78. Watch Out for Problem Gambling's Mind Traps
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Release Date: 03/08/2024
90. Are you Having Fun? Maintaining Control When Gambling
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Most of the Fold em episodes have been for those of you who decided to stop gambling. We've been helping you stop and stay stopped. This episode is different. It's for those of you are currently gambling or know someone who is. We explore the fine line between recreational gambling and losing control. Our hope is that you better understand the risks when gambling and that some of us are more vulnerable to gambling harm. We share information, strategies and tools to help you keep gambling in control, recognize warning signs of problem gambling, and know where to turn for help....
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89. The Untangle Project: Women Helping Women With Gambling Problems
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
There are an increasing number of people speaking up about gambling related harm and the need to better address this. One of these people is Anna Martin from Australia. In this episode of Fold em, hear Anna's inspiring journey from gambling addiction to recovery. She tells us how she has been speaking up in the media and to politicians about the negative impacts of gambling, the need to better regulate the gambling industry and advertising, and to improve services for those struggling with gambling, particularly women. In response to this, Anna founded The...
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88. Acceptance: A Crucial Step in Overcoming Gambling Problems
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
When gambling gets out of control it is a challenging and deeply isolating struggle. However, it is absolutely possible to get through this with shifting your mindset and accessing support and tools. One of the most crucial steps in overcoming this challenge is acceptance - acknowledging the realities of your situation and taking responsibility for change. In this episode of Fold em, we provide practical tips and an inspiring personal story about how acceptance can help you get unstuck from problem gambling. You get to benefit from the experience and wisdom of two...
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87. Sports Betting is Taking More Than It's Giving
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
With easy access to sports betting, many people are finding it has become a daily habit. Over time, it can take up more time, focus and money and stall your life. In this episode of Fold em, hear from James, a passionate traveller and podcaster, who was swept into this world but has since reclaimed his life. We delve into the impact of sports betting on him, his decision to step back from it, and how he has rediscovered other passions. Listen to episode 87 and hear about: Taking an honest look at the time, energy and money going into sports betting Strategies for...
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86. Someone I Care About is Struggling With Gambling: Now What?
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
In this insightful episode, Regina, a seasoned member of with nearly 50 years of experience, discusses three vital themes for those impacted by a loved one's gambling problem. Regina talks about the difference between support and enabling, and how to detach with love. She also helps listeners recognize common emotional games that show up with gambling problems. Listen to episode 86 and learn: How gambling problems impact those closest to the gambler How to support rather than enable How to pull away from the emotional games that come up in relationships impacted by gambling...
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85. I'm Sick and Tired of Gambling: Now What?
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Has gambling got you down? You're not the only one. Tune in to this episode and learn what you can do about it. Hear from Chris about how gambling was the norm with his group of friends during their twenties. When he started online gambling, it became more and more consuming. He started gambling by himself, the bets came faster, and he gambled for longer periods of time. Chris talks about the bumpy road of stopping gambling. He had been able to stop drinking and drugs cold turkey and on his own. This didn't work with gambling. ...
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84. Sharing the Responsibility to Limit Gambling Harms: Industry, Government and Gamblers
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
With cigarettes and alcohol, we take steps to protect those who use these products AND society in general from related harms. For example, there are age requirements to buy alcohol. We also see images and warnings of disease caused by smoking on a pack of cigarettes. Many say that more needs to be done to limit gambling-related harms, particularly for people who are most vulnerable to this. In this episode, you get to hear from , a Scientist with the and the University of Toronto. He has a talent for speaking in a really simple, clear and engaging way about gambling...
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83. Twelve Steps to Freedom: How the 12 Steps Can Help With Gambling Problems
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
Hear a personal story of working through the and how it helped Georgete break free of a recurring and destructive gambling problem. Learn what's involved with each step and how you can access this recovery program. Georgete shares how working through the Twelve Steps with a sponsor and attending online meetings through helped her to reach one year gambling free. She shares how the Twelve Steps taught her important skills for living a better life. Listen now and get answers to these questions: What are the Twelve Steps? How can this program help someone who has...
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82. It Can be Done: A Beautiful Life After Gambling
Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems
It can be done. You can admit to yourself and others that gambling is causing problems for you. You can stop gambling, deal with the financial impact, and rebuild trust with important people. You can also put things in place to prevent a relapse. Laura joins us in this episode and shares how she did all of this. Listen to episode 82 and hear about: Why it can be hard to admit to yourself that your gambling is out of control Laura's story of getting help, facing hard stuff, and getting through it How Laura stopped gambling and has stayed away for more than year Laura...
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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...
info_outlineAs 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 Gambling Addiction Explained: How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Life.
Listen in and learn about:
- Five common mind traps of problem gambling
- How to recognize and resist gambling's mind traps
- Why seeking help and guidance can free your mind from problem gambling
To find out more about problem gambling's mind traps, read the blog for this episode at www.problemgamblinghelp.ca. You can also download John's free report on Mind Traps at www.gamblingaddictionexplained.com. Purchase his book Gambling Addiction Explained on Amazon or through his website.
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 online groups and supports, here's some options:
GamTalk (online chat forum)
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.