Ep. 25 - Do I Need to Stop Gambling? Can’t I Control it?
Even when gambling gets out of hand and causes problems, it’s common for the gambler to have thoughts and wishes to keep it going. Or, to keep the door open for the possibility of gambling in the future. Some typical thoughts are:
“I learned my lesson. Now I’ll control it,”
“I don’t really have a problem. I can stop anytime”
“I can’t just walk away from all the money that’s been lost”
“It’s what I do when I need to escape. I can’t imagine letting go of that”
In episode 25 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, hear an open, honest conversation with someone who struggled with gambling for eight years. He talks about trying to control gambling and how he sorted through the dilemma about whether to stop.
Listen now to this podcast episode by clicking on the green play button above.
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After gambling gets out of hand, you don’t want to find yourself back in the same hole.
But, for many it’s a hard decision to turn your back and walk away.
My Gambling Got Out of Hand in the Past. Will it Happen Again?
In this episode of Fold em, we hear from Alvin. When casino gambling left him with unmanageable debt, his friends were concerned. They stepped in and connected him to credit counselling. These friends then assumed that the problem was dealt with and he would stop gambling.
Alvin tells us that he continued to gamble while in a 5-year debt repayment program. He initially was able to keep it in check because he didn’t have much money. But, when the debt was paid off and he had access to more money, gambling increased again.
Within one year of paying off his debt, Alvin had built up the same debt load and was doing things he never imagined, such as borrowing money from a float at work.
Alvin offers his story as an opportunity for others to learn.
If You Have Thoughts of Returning to Gambling After it Got Out of Hand - Read This First
Here are some tips if gambling has previously gotten out of control for you and there is a pull to keep it going now or in the future.
Don’t keep these thoughts a secret. Tell someone supportive that are thinking about gambling again - particularly someone who knows about gambling problems. Gambling thoughts will build if kept to yourself and gambling is more likely to get out of control when it is done secretly.
Don’t assume you can now control gambling because you had a break from it OR because you went once or twice and kept it in control. If you’ve had a problem with gambling in the past and continue to gamble in the same way (e.g. in secret, without getting guidance and feedback) it will likely get out of hand again.
Be careful to not minimize or underestimate this problem. When gambling gets out of control it usually isn’t a simple “fix,” e.g. by self excluding, paying off a debt or promising to not go again. It’s a problem that has affected your brain chemistry, nervous system, thinking and habits and will likely reoccur. Get some guidance on how to prevent a relapse.
To Learn More, Listen to a Gambler Talk About His Experiences With Gambling
Tune in to episode 25 of Fold em and listen to my conversation with Alvin. Hear what happened when he continued gambling after it had previously got out of hand and tried to keep it in control. Learn how he sorted through the dilemma about whether he needed to stop.
Listen now by clicking on the green play buttons at the top of this blog. Or, tune in directly from Apple or Google podcasts by clicking on the red button below.
Check out the other episodes and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
If you live in British Columbia and would like to find 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. The Gambling Support Line is available 24/7 at 1-888-795-6111.
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.