Ep. 23 - Gambling Help: Online Chat Rooms
Online chat is a great way to get support and information for gambling problems. You can stay anonymous, share at your own pace, connect 24/7 and get inspired by people around the world who are also tackling this issue.
To find out more about chatting online for gambling concerns, listen to episode 23 of Fold em. Hear my conversation with Ken who has participated in online chat communities for much of his 19-year recovery and says it continues to provide him with strength and hope. You’ll also hear from Michelle Shewell who, like Ken, moderates a forum for GamTalk. You’ll be convinced to give it a try!
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“In the beginning, online chat groups gave me a lot of strength, hope and something to hold on to.”
What is Online Chat? How Do I Use it?
Online chat involves transmission of text (written) messages online. That means that you type, send and then receive messages with other people who are also online. Sometimes it is in real time and people are reading and replying to your messages immediately. Sometimes messages are posted and people read and reply when they log on next.
Group chat involves multiple people sending messages at once, often focused on a particular topic. There are a number of group chats/chat rooms for gambling problems, including: GamTalk, Gambling Therapy and two subgroups on Reddit. Facebook also has a number of public groups for this issue.
To join, you typically have to become a member, which involves providing a name and email address. You don’t have to provide a real name if you want to stay anonymous.
Five Reasons To Try Out Online Chat Rooms for Gambling Problems
In this episode of Fold em, you hear from Ken who has participated in chat rooms for the past nineteen years. It was one of the first ways he reached out for help. Ken now moderates the Monday night chat on GamTalk. Michelle Shewell, who moderates the Tuesday night chat on GamTalk, also shares her experiences in this episode. Here’s what they say about the benefits of trying out chat rooms for gambling problems:
if staying anonymous is important to you, it’s a comfortable way to get support and information
it’s easy to access (if you have an online connection). This is helpful for people who can’t easily get to in person services and meetings
the people who participate have personal experience with gambling problems. It’s an opportunity to learn from each other, connect with people who understand, and hear stories of moving forward
you can decide when you share and what you share
you get to connect with people from around the world
What Online Chat Rooms Can I Join For Gambling Problems?
If you would like to try out an online chat group for gambling concerns, here are a few that Ken suggested:
Reddit has two subgroups
Facebook has a number of public groups for gambling addiction
To hear more about online chat from Ken and Michelle, tune in to episode 23 of Fold em.
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 would like to find about free online groups offered through Gambling Support BC, click on the red “Connect with Support in BC” button below. We offer support groups for gamblers, spouses and family members and couples. We also offer a series of specialized problem gambling recovery workshops called the Discovery Program.
If you live in British Columbia and would like to access free support and counselling services, go to the Gambling Support BC website or call the Gambling Support Line at 1-888-795-6111. Or, click on the Connect With Support in BC button below.
Free, confidential 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.