Ep. 42 - Gambling Help, Support & Treatment: Finding What Works For You
On a Friday in 2017, Brian Ward called the Oregon State Problem Gambling Helpline. Gambling had pulled him into a very bleak place and he was expecting to be charged by the police for theft. As difficult as it was to make that call, he knew that managing this issue on his own wasn’t working and he was willing to get help. Two days later, Brian was meeting with a counsellor and attending a Gamblers Anonymous (GA) meeting.
Five years later, Brian says that his life is full, stable and peaceful in a way that he could never imagined in 2017. He’s busy with family and martial arts, performs with his band, and helps others find their way forward from gambling problems.
In episode 41 of our podcast, Fold em: Help for Gambling Problems, Brian shares his personal story and what he has learned as a Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor about how to connect with help, support and treatment for gambling problems and find what works for you.
Tune in to episode 41 to learn about:
what is available to help you overcome compulsive gambling
how to get past saying “no” to help
how to get the right support FOR YOU and change this as needed
how to keep moving forward even if you have a relapse, a program isn’t working for you and/or you need something different
Listen now to episode 41 of Fold em 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.
“I’m a big advocate of trying multiple programs of recovery and pursing your own path based on your values”
Brian, Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor
What’s Holding You Back From Getting Support for Gambling Problems?
In this episode of Fold em, Brian Ward, tells us that in 2017 he felt devastated by what gambling addiction had done to his life. Although he couldn’t even imagine regaining a stable life, he was open to hearing about options for support, help and treatment.
Brian notes that in the past he hadn’t been so open. Through his work as a peer mentor for others facing gambling problems, he sees that it’s common to be hesitant to reach out for help.
Here’s what often holds people back from getting help for gambling problems:
I don’t know what’s available
I’m going to be judged. No one will understand why I did this.
I need to smarten up, not get support and help
I did some bad things. I can’t imagine telling others and facing them
Brian says that when he first called the Problem Gambling Helpline and then attended counselling and a Gamblers Anonymous group, he was surprised at the compassion and acceptance he received from others. While others experiences were not exactly like his, he felt that they could understand and relate. It was hard to take this in at first. But over time, Brian says that the compassion and support was really helpful in those early years of recovery.
If you are reluctant to try gambling help and treatment, remind yourself that you will likely encounter understanding, compassion and support when you do. And, that this is really helpful for addressing gambling issues.
What is Available for Problem Gambling Help, Support and Treatment?
Brian shares that he tried a number of programs that were available to him in Oregon to help with gambling concerns. These included:
Similar programs are likely available where you live.
In addition, there is:
Online Chat Forums (GamTalk, Gambling Therapy, Reddit)
Online Virtual Meetings and Support Groups (Recovery Road Online, Facebook Groups such as The Broke Girl Society)
Government funded and privately paid residential treatment programs
What if I Have Tried These Programs and They Didn’t Work for Me?
Brian says that he recently heard a quote for Carlo DeClemente that he really liked: “There’s no such thing as a failed program or bad participant. It’s all about fit.”
For Brian, in the beginning he was open and willing to try whatever programs were recommended to him. He says that at that time, just connecting with others who could understand and relate was really helpful. He also noticed that he liked the different benefits of counselling, Smart Recovery and Gamblers Anonymous.
As his life and the gambling problems stabilized (approximately 3-years later) he focused more on clarifying what was really working for him and sticking to this.
As a peer mentor, here is how Brian encourages people to move forward with finding the right programs and supports for themselves:
Success can be more than just stopping gambling: decreasing or stopping gambling is helpful, but so is giving something new a try; meeting inspiring people; learning new tools; persisting even in the face of set-backs
You may need different programs and supports at different times: perhaps a group that was really helpful in the beginning isn’t offering you as much now, or you realize that you want to branch off to focus on something different
Be honest with yourself and open with others about what you need: it’s ok to tell a counsellor that a session or approach isn’t working for you; maybe you like the people in a support group but the approach isn’t helping
Stay persistent and flexible after set-backs: there is an opportunity to learn more about what works for you, if you stay persistent.
Hear more about how Brian overcame gambling addiction and his words of encouragement for those of you finding your way through in episode 41 of Fold em.
Listen now by clicking on the green play button at the top of this blog or the red “Listen and Subscribe to Fold em” 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.
Want to Hear More From Brian and Learn About Different Programs of Gambling Recovery?
You can learn more about different gambling recovery programs in Brian’s podcast. It’s called, Voices … the Podcast and features conversations with representatives from different programs of recovery about what is offered. Connect with Brian through Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery Inc.Want to Connect With 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.
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.