Ep. 28 - Gambling Addiction Recovery: Opening Up and Finding Your Voice
It often takes a number of tries to break free from a gambling problem. Like peeling back the layers of an onion, each time gambling gets out of control it tells you there is something more or different needed to manage this issue. Often what is needed is a willingness to look a little deeper within yourself and to open up.
In episode 28 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, hear from an Indigenous man who turned his back on drinking and drug use only to find that gambling addiction showed up. He shares how he finally broke free of addiction - by facing his fears and trusting people enough to open up about his experiences of abuse and the impact on him of residential schools and colonization in Canada.
Tune in to hear Terry’s story and learn about the benefits of finding your voice and speaking up. Resources specifically for Indigenous people in recovery are listed at the bottom of this blog.
If you prefer to tune in directly from Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts, click on the red “Listen and Subscribe” button below.
I knew that my way out of addiction was to find and speak my voice
Isn’t it Enough to Just Stop Gambling? Why Should I Open Up?
In this episode of Fold em, Terry talks about hiding behind poles or sinking down in his chair to avoid talking at Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meetings. He says that he was too afraid and ashamed to speak up.
As an Indigenous man who had grown up in Canada’s residential schools, Terry had good reason to have fears about trusting people. Many others with gambling problems have also felt reluctant to open up - whether at a recovery meeting, to a counsellor or to family and friends.
Terry realized that keeping painful things to himself was keeping addiction going in his life. He says, “I knew I needed to find my voice.”
Reasons to Open Up As You Deal With Gambling Problems:
To Stop Yourself From Being Pulled Back into Gambling or Other Addictions: getting thoughts, feelings and problems out of your head helps you to see things differently and to act differently. Keeping things inside leaves you vulnerable to old habits.
To Feel Better: the hardest part of gambling problems is the secrecy and lies. It’s usually a relief to get things out in the open, even if it doesn’t go perfectly.
To Feel More Connected: gambling problems typically leave you disconnected from people and from your normal ways of being in the world. Taking that risk to be honest and open is about re-connecting with yourself and others - and feeling better as a result!
There isn’t one way to open up, but here are some suggestions from Terry and me to help you get started.
How to Start Opening Up:
Go slow and start where you are comfortable. Terry began by returning to school and connecting with people from his culture. Where do you feel more comfortable? Look for small opportunities to speak up.
Get inspiration and from others. Early in recovery, Terry describes that he would often bump into someone from his past who had turned his life around. This person always smiled at him and shook his hand, leaving Terry with hope that change is possible.
Trust your gut. Terry says that it took him two years to start counselling. He knew he had to be ready and to find the right person. And when both fell into place, his gut told him it was ok to open up.
Tune in to episode 28 of Fold em to learn more from Terry about how he has found his way away from abuse and addiction. Hear how he found his voice and now never turns down an opportunity to speak at a recovery meeting. Terry now feels proud to speak and offer hope to others.
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 other episodes of Fold em and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out when new ones are released.
Learn More About Indigenous Recovery Supports
If you live in British Columbia and would like to learn more about our 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. We have Indigenous people on our team to provide support and counselling. You can also access our services through the Gambling Support Line. It 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.
Other Indigenous Recovery Supports and Counselling:
Wellbriety Circles (in person) and Wellbriety Online Meetings
Residential School Crisis Line (Canada)
KUU-US Crisis Line (British Columbia)
Counselling can be accessed through the First Nations Health Authority.
Addiction services are offered through most Friendship Centres and Band Offices in Canada.
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.