Making changes isn't easy. When gambling gets out of control, change is often more challenging. It can be hard to get to that place where you're ready to pull back from gambling. When you do stop, there are so many other issues to address (finances, relationships, your health) that it can feel overwhelming. It's not unusual to find that gambling hooks you in again.

In this episode, we offer guidance on how to get a good start with making whatever changes you want to tackle. We'll offer tips for staying on track and handling setbacks. You hear Shane tell his personal story about stopping gambling and getting his life in balance. Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, a Clinical Psychologist from Toronto, shares practical suggestions for being successful with change.

Listen to episode 79 to hear:

• A personal story of taking action to stop gambling and get life back in balance
• Strategies for getting a good start when making changes for yourself
• How to avoid setbacks and get back on track when they happen

To read a summary of this episode, go to the blog at www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca. To hear an earlier conversation with Shane about preventing relapse, listen to episode 69 (Sept 22, 2023). To connect with Dr. Taslim Alani-Verjee, visit her website at drtaslim.com.

If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services. Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.

If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:

Gamblers Anonymous

Gam-Anon

GamTalk (online chat forum)

Recovery Road Online

Gamblers in Recovery

The Broke Girl Society

To connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.

Thanks for listening!

As you get pulled into gambling, your thinking changes. Your mind finds ways of convincing you to keep gambling, even when there are signs to stop. To an outsider, ideas such as "a win is just around the corner" or "I have a system that's guaranteed to win" seem irrational. But when you're in it, it feels real and true.

In this episode, I'm joined by John Woods. After struggling with gambling for over thirty years, he placed his last bet in January 2017 and went on to write a book called Gambling Addiction Explained: How to Stop Gambling and Regain Control of Your Life.

Listen in and learn about:

• Five common mind traps of problem gambling
• How to recognize and resist gambling's mind traps
• Why seeking help and guidance can free your mind from problem gambling

To find out more about problem gambling's mind traps, read the blog for this episode at www.problemgamblinghelp.ca. You can also download John's free report on Mind Traps at www.gamblingaddictionexplained.com. Purchase his book Gambling Addiction Explained on Amazon or through his website.

If you live in British Columbia and would like help for gambling concerns, reach out to our free, confidential counselling and outreach services. Connect with us online at Gambling Support BC or call 1-888-795-6111.

To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:

Canada: click here

United States: National Council on Problem Gambling

United Kingdom: GamCare

Australia: Gamblers' Help

If you live outside of these areas, search online for "Gambling Problem Help" in your country.

If you would like to connect with online groups and supports, here's some options:

Gamblers Anonymous

Gam-Anon

GamTalk (online chat forum)

Recovery Road Online

Gamblers in Recovery

The Broke Girl Society

To connect with Fold em through Facebook or Instagram, find us at Foldem Podcast. You can also reach out through Foldempodcast@gmail.com. We welcome feedback and topics for upcoming episodes.

Fold em is funded by Gambling Support BC.