Ep. 32 - Adult ADHD: Living Well and Managing Risk for Gambling Addiction
ADHD doesn’t only impact children. Approximately one millions adults in Canada live with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
In episode 32 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, hear my conversation with Darryl Anderson, a counsellor who works in mental health and helps people overcome gambling problems. He also lives with ADHD himself.
Learn about living well with adult ADHD. We’ll explain why individuals with ADHD are more at risk for gambling problems. For those with ADHD who chose to gamble, we offer tips for keeping it in check. If gambling is a problem and you’ve decided to stop, we guide you through strategies specific to adults with ADHD for staying stopped.
Darryl shares lots of resources in this episode and they are listed at the bottom of this page.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of the blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
ADHD impacts adults too
Read on and listen to this episode of Fold em to learn about living well with adult ADHD and managing risk for gambling problems
Living Well With Adult ADHD
In this episode of Fold em, Darryl talks about what has helped him to manage and live well with ADHD. He describes that there have been no “quick fixes” and it has been a process of experimenting and learning. This is what has been helpful for Darryl:
Medication: can help you to feel less jittery and that your mind has slowed down. It can take some time to find the right medication fit for you. For more information on ADHD medications visit Caddra.ca
Learn about ADHD and how it impacts you: understanding the symptoms of ADHD can help you and loved ones to validate that it is a real thing and to let go of judgements. With more understanding, it’s easier to find solutions and routines that work for you.
Acceptance: even with medication, education and awareness, “ADHD is going to ADHD.” That is, it still shows up. It helps to have humour, self compassion and someone in your life who gets it.
If You Live With ADHD and Gamble
Why are adults with ADHD more at risk for developing a severe gambling problem? Darryl explains that while gambling is a risky activity for anyone, individuals with ADHD are more susceptible to it getting out of hand. This is because ADHD can contribute to struggles with:
working memory, e.g. remembering past mistakes or losses and being able to apply what you have learned in the present moment
impulsivity
restlessness and boredom - as a result there can be strong draw to excitement and new/interesting activities and people
If you live with ADHD and chose to gamble, here are some strategies to help manage the increased risk of developing a gambling problem:
Practice taking a pause before you act: make a plan with yourself that you will pause before starting to gamble. During this time, ask yourself questions, e.g. how will this play out if I gamble right now? Is this the right move for me? This is a helpful strategy for anyone who gambles, but building this pause and reflect muscle is really helpful with ADHD
Set limits with your gambling: use the tools that are available on many online websites to set a time or spending limit. Talk through your limits with someone supportive.
Get to know your “brand” of ADHD: get to know how ADHD affects you and your particular patterns with gambling, e.g. I tend to gamble impulsively when I’m bored and don’t have plans. Figure out your risky times to gamble and how to manage this.
If You Live With ADHD and Have a Gambling Problem - How to Stop and Stay Stopped
You are not the only one who has experienced gambling getting out of control. If you have decided to stop gambling, there are some strategies that are particularly helpful if you have ADHD:
Use anything that helps to get more space between you and a bet: e.g. close your accounts for online gambling websites, use blocking software, self exclude, have someone hold your credit card and review your bank accounts.
Reminders and daily check-ins: put routines in place that get you to think about the bigger picture of what is important to you, e.g. put a photo on your mirror of the car that you are paying off; start off each morning by thinking about what you want to happen in the day ahead.
Build mastery in small steps: ADHD and gambling can both leave you feeling out of control and not very good about yourself. Sometimes it’s helpful to start with small actions that help you to feel better, e.g. I will get to the gym once this week. Maybe stopping gambling is put on hold for a short time while you work on feeling more in control.
Tune in to episode 32 of Fold em to hear Darryl talk about his experiences with figuring out how to live well as an adult with ADHD, along with more tips on preventing gambling problems.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog. Or, tune in directly from Apple or Google podcasts by clicking on the red button below.
Check out other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
Where Can I Find More Information on Adult ADHD?
To find a self assessment questionnaire, try the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS)
For further information, check out:
How to ADHD (YouTube)
One of the ADHD communities on Reddit
Science Direct and the International Consensus on ADHD - a summary of research on ADHD
Books: Gina Pera (Is it You, Me or Adult ADD?), Gabor Mate (Scattered Minds), Russell Barcley (Taking Charge of Adult ADHD)
Blogs: Gina Pera (The ADHD Rollercoaster)
Support and Counselling in British Columbia
If you live in British Columbia and would like to learn more about free, confidential support and counselling services from Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. Or, go to the Gambling Support BC website. You can also access our services through the Gambling Support Line. It is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
Darryl Anderson, who is featured in this episode, works in Prince George, BC and can be contacted for free problem gambling counselling.
Gambling Support BC services are available to residents of British Columbia who are concerned about their own or a loved one’s gambling.
Fold em is a podcast hosted by Adrienne Cossom and her colleagues at Gambling Support BC. Whether you are looking at stopping or scaling back your own gambling or supporting a family member with a problem, this podcast will help you take back control. Hear from gamblers who have been through it and get tips from counsellors. Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.
To learn more about gambling concerns and how to access resources and support, go to the home page of this website, click on the red “Learn More” button below, or connect with us through Facebook.