It's probably no surprise that online gaming and gambling has been on the rise, with all the lockdowns and uncertainty all around us. So it follows suit that the associated problems with online activity is also on the rise. 

When your time online begins to result in things like debt, relationship issues, work conflict or health concerns, there is free help available in BC. Free support from myself to get started (in Northern BC) and free counselling in person (where available), by video (if possible), or by phone.

We assist people struggling with gambling or gaming as well as those affected by someone else's online activity.  Call (leave a voicemail) or text with how and when to get back to you. I respond within 24 hours.  Or visit the website's online intake form to get started. 

Thanks Gerry for creating a platform for people to come together to express their own small acts of resistance and to work together toward kindness and compassion for all people in our community. I had fun getting to know people and sharing food with them.​

​​When people think about the warning signs of addiction, they may not consider the class of Behavioural Addictions that similarily affect our brain. These addictive behaviours include online activity, sex, gaming or gambling.  In these cases, the 'substance' is the behaviour (gambling) that becomes the rewarding 'substance' to our brains. 

Jenn Gregg, (M.A., C.C.C.) ​from Groundwork Counselling states "Among the signs of gambling addiction are unexplained finances or debt; emotional volatility; being preoccupied; lying; distorted or irrational thinking that makes someone believe they can control or beat the system; and prioritizing gambling over relationships, career or personal health".  Read more about what Jenn has to say here: https://vancouversun.com/sponsored/life-sponsored/hidden-dependence-recognizing-the-signs-of-a-gambling-addiction

Learn more about Behavioural Addictions and the differences/similarities to substance addiction:  https://canadiancentreforaddictions.org/substance-behavioural-addiction/

For those of us living in BC:
If you or someone you know is affected by problem gambling, Reach Out Here and someone will connect with you within 24 hours: https://bit.ly/30IOCic 
Need to speak with someone immediately?  Call 1-888-795-6111. Calls are answered 24/7

Well, it's 2021... and things in the world look like they might actually get worse before they get better.  We have political stress, pandemic stress, financial/familial/vocational/relational stress. We are coping with stress we have often never encountered before! Things we couldn't imagine, such as job or home loss! Financial strain... the list goes on.
It's been almost a year now since we first began our isolation and I decided I needed to make a plan for 2021 so it doesn't swallow me up whole. So much of what is going on is out of our control and yet we have to make decisions everyday about how to maneuver through it and continue to care for ourselves and our families.
So I need a plan for 2021, but here it is the first week over and I am feeling the stress of having to make a plan! Returning to the basics of mental wellness and to take a bite from the Gambler's Anonymous pages my goal is to slow my world down and remember to remain in the present, to concentrate on moving through the day one step at a time. Finding a healthy balance with screen time for myself and my family is especially challenging when so much of our time is spent at home with limited 'others' to interact with. 
So for now, my small movements forward in the past few weeks have included the following: 
The Christmas theme in our house this year was "Things to do while stuck in the house for possibly long periods of time".  Our family has invested in comfy, reusable masks. I set limits for myself over watching the news as it negatively affects my mental health. I set screen time limits for my children so I don't have to hound them to shut it down. I limit my time on social media and concentrate on positive messaging only. I snooze and block friends regularly when our politics collide or the negativity takes over. When things are rough, I try to remember to eat and take in water everyday (and brush my teeth). One day, one step, one minute, and one thing at a time to keep moving forward. This is what will bring us through these difficult times. One. Step. At. A. Time.

What with everyone staying at home and isolating, this week I want to highlight GamTalk as a great place to go if you are worried about your gambling or that of someone you know.  Learn from others who struggle with problem gambling, gambling addiction, cravings or triggers, quitting gambling and so much more!  You can peek around the Gamtalk site without joining or to gain the full experience, sign up and be completely anonymous. 

Once in the site, you can remain quiet and just soak up other people’s experience or you can share your own story, ask questions and maybe join in a recovery focused chat room.  You can be an active or passive participant and still benefit from this site… and for those affected others, there is some great support and information at GamTalk.
                                                            Check it all out here!