55. Surfing Gambling Urges and Cravings

<p>As you gamble more, it's common to notice more urges and impulses to gamble.  These cravings can lead to gambling becoming a habit.  They also can make it hard to decrease or stop gambling.</p> <p>In this episode, I'm joined by <a title="Kari Olson website" href="https://www.gamblingsupportbc.ca/node/38" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kari Olson</a>, who is a counsellor with Gambling Support BC who specializing in gambling problems, substance addiction and trauma.  She helps us to understand why cravings happen and strategies for surfing through them.</p> <p>Listen now and learn:</p> <ul> <li>what happens in the brain with cravings</li> <li>why it can be so hard to resist giving in to cravings to gamble</li> <li>three helpful strategies for riding through a craving: delay, distract, and decide</li> <li>how to decrease urges and cravings if you are pulling back or stopping gambling</li> </ul> <p>For more information and strategies for managing urges and cravings to gamble, read the blog for this episode at <a title= "episode 55 blog" href= "https://www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca/blog-2/managing-gambling-cravings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.gamblingproblemhelp.ca.</a></p> <p>If you live in British Columbia and would like to access our free, confidential counselling and outreach services, connect with us online at <a title="Gambling Support BC website" href= "https://www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca/support/team" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gambling Support BC</a> or call 1-888-795-6111.</p> <p>To connect with gambling problem help outside of British Columbia:</p> <p>Canada:  click <a title="Gambling Help in Canada" href= "https://gamblingguidelines.ca/getting-help/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">here</a></p> <p>United States:  <a title= "Gambling Help in the United States" href= "https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/help-by-state/" target= "_blank" rel="noopener">National Council on Problem Gambling</a></p> <p>United Kingdom:  <a title="Gambling Help in the UK" href= "https://www.gamcare.org.uk/" targ