Gambling Stories
SHARE YOUR STORY
Gambling addiction and the impacts it has on loved ones is often a well-kept secret. The stigma is real and significant, often preventing someone from seeking the help they need. By offering your story, whether you’ve been directly or indirectly impacted by gambling addiction, others can gain a better understanding of this addiction.
The power of sharing stories is transformative. Each story is unique, yet shares common threads that enables all of us to better understand this addiction and appreciate another person’s vulnerability.
Need some help getting started?
Here are a few questions to prompt your thoughts. Feel free to express yourself in prose, poetry, song, video or a visual piece.
PROMPTS FOR A GAMBLER
- What led you to seek recovery?
- What support did you receive (or not) from family, friends, work?
- What have been the significant barriers/challenges you faced in your recovery?
- How has recovery changed your life?
- What is your hope for the future?
PROMPTS FOR A CONCERNED OTHER
- When you realized your loved one had a gambling addiction, did they confront you or did you find out accidentally?
- How have you navigated the challenges in your relationship with the gambler as each seeks recovery?
- Were you able to be open about the situation with other family members, friends?
- What measures did you take to protect your assets?
- What would you say to someone facing a similar situation?
- What is your hope for the future?
Recovery Stories
Austin Strom’s Story
At age 24, seven years into a gambling obsession, Austin Strom found help — and recovery. READ MORE
Behind Every Number, There’s a Story
In recognition of Problem Gambling Awareness Month, “Every Story Matters” highlights the impactful stories of Minnesotans who have faced and overcome gambling addiction. READ MORE
In Their Own Words – Diane’s Story
The story of Diane, the wife of someone with a gambling problem, illustrated the struggle of a concerned other and how the couple survived a gambling addiction. READ MORE
Gambling addiction recovery podcasts
All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast
This podcast is co-hosted by Brian and Jeff, both compulsive gamblers who made their last bets in 2014 and 2015. LISTEN
Hello, My Name is Craig
A weekly candid conversation about gambling addiction. LISTEN
The Broke Girl Society
Listen to Jessica H. share her recovery story from problem gambling. LISTEN NOW
After Gambling
After Gambling podcast is a show dedicate to increasing awareness and understanding problem gambling. LISTEN
Voices…the Podcast
“Voices…the Podcast” (Brian Ward / Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery). LISTEN
The Moth: Shannon Cason – “It’s Like Borrowing”
Shannon Cason comes face to face with his gambling addiction. LISTEN
MNAPG has had the privilege of speaking with and sharing numerous recovery stories over the years. We know that visitors to our site spend time reflecting on these stories. We hope you will find them helpful. Each story provides a unique look into the life of someone with a gambling addiction. Each willingly shared their story in the hope it would help others understand that recovery, though not easy, is possible and so worth the journey.
3 Questions
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SELF-HELP PUBLICATIONS
View, download or order a hard copy below (These are meant to be supplemental guides, not a replacement for therapy)
- Your First Step to Change, 2nd Edition. A self-help toolkit of resources to help start the journey toward recovery from problem gambling behavior.
- Personal Financial Strategies for the Loved Ones of Problem Gamblers
BROCHURES
- Warning Signs of Problem Gambling (English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong and Vietnamese)
- What Families Can Do When a Loved One has a Gambling Problem (English and Spanish)
- What is Problem Gambling? (English, Somali and Spanish)
- Gambling When in Recovery (English and Spanish)
- Gaming Disorder (English and Spanish)
- Gamban—Block Access to Your Devices (English and Spanish)
- Lower Risk Gambling Guidelines
- Older Adults and Gambling
- Talking to Your Child About Gaming
(English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, Lao and Vietnamese) - Youth and Gambling—What Parents Need to Know
BROCHURES for professionals
- Be Part of the Solution (English and Spanish)
- Why Screen for Gambling Disorder? (English and Spanish)
Newsletter
- Northern Lights - MNAPG Quarterly Newsletter