How did it get this far?

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How did it get this far?

Updated: Dec 12, 2017

Sarah has a serious gambling addiction. By playing online she successfully managed to hide her addiction from those who knew her for over 15 years. However, being convicted and sent to prison for a crime she committed to feed her addiction was the first time friends and family were made aware of the scale of her gambling addiction. She is now seeking help at Living Room Cardiff to deal with her addiction. Sarah is supporting Flutter-free February in the hope that it will encourage others to seek help.


Sarah said, “My gambling addiction has led to me losing everything. I’m now homeless and in debt. Getting arrested was quite an extreme way for people to find out I had a serious gambling problem. It’s now out in the open and I’m determined to do what I can to stop somebody else ending up in the situation I now find myself.

“I don’t know where it all started as I don’t know of any other gamblers in the family, but there were other addictions. I was brought up in a pub environment so I guess I was always surrounded by fruit machines and perhaps it became quite normal in the end. I know I was certainly gambling long before I was legally allowed to do so.

“As I start my therapy I am fully aware how few women there are seeking help. I know many women gamble – you only need go down the bingo halls every day to see it for yourself – but it’s a well hidden secret. It’s a big lie which you try and hide. It’s not substance abuse so there’s nothing physical you can really spot either so as an addiction it is relatively invisible.

“Access to gambling is also easier than ever. Until last year I’d never been to a betting shop, but there are so many now that they almost invite you in. I think they target people who are quite lonely as they offer tea and coffee, make you feel comfortable and you almost feel wanted.

For further information
Please call 02920 493895 or email [email protected]


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Wythfed Sul Adferiad Cymru

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Wythfed Sul Adferiad Cymru


Bydd dydd Sul 27ain o Hydref, 2019, yn garreg filltir arall yn hanes y frwydr yn erbyn dibyniaeth ar alcohol, cyffuriau ac ymddygiadau niweidiol eraill yng Nghymru.

Mae’r gwasanaeth eleni yn seiliedig ar hanes Jona, un o storïau mawr y Beibl. Byddwn yn gweld pa mor berthnasol yw’r stori i ni heddiw a bod yna Jona y tu mewn i ni i gyd.

Mae croeso i chi ddefnyddio’r gwasanaeth hwn, yn y Gymraeg neu’r Saesneg. Gellir ei lawrlwytho o’n gwefannau: www.livingroom-cardiff.com ; neu www.cynnal.wales

Dyma wythfed Sul Adferiad Cymru. Ar y Sul hwn, gwahoddwn Gristnogion Cymru i uno mewn gweddi dros y rhai sy’n gaeth, yn ddibynnol; yn gofyn i Dduw ein helpu ni i’w helpu nhw.

Diolch rhagblaen am bob cydweithrediad a chefnogaeth.

Wynford Ellis Owen

Ymgynghorydd Cwnsela Arbenigol

Lawrlwythwch
Gwasanaeth

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Advent Prayer // Gweddi Adfent 2019

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Advent Prayer // Gweddi Adfent 2019

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Faint o broblem ydy alcohol i ferched yn y gymdeithas?

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Faint o broblem ydy alcohol i ferched yn y gymdeithas?

Yn dilyn erthygl Agor fy nghalon gan yr actores Ffion Dafis yn ddiweddar, mae Cymru Fyw yn edrych yn fanylach ar y rôl mae alcohol yn chwarae mewn cymdeithas yng Nghymru – yn enwedig ymhlith merched.


Carol Hardy – “Sneb yn planio bod yn alcoholig.”

Mae Carol Hardy, sydd wedi bod yn ddibynnol ar alcohol yn y gorffennol, erbyn hyn yn Rheolwr Gwasanaethau yn Y Stafell Fyw, canolfan sy’n rhoi cymorth i bobl sy’n gaeth i alcohol, cyffuriau, rhyw a gamblo yng Nghaerdydd.

Yn ôl Carol, mae darlun y cyfryngau o alcohol a’r nwyddau â sloganau sy’n cael eu gwerthu sy’n targedu merched, gan normaleiddio alcohol yn y gymdeithas, yn “frawychus iawn”. Mae merched erbyn diwedd eu 30au neu 40au yn gallu ffeindio eu hunain o dan lot o straen, yn cadw swydd a gofalu am y teulu, a weithie mae’n ymddangos taw dyna’r rhesymau pam bod merched yn mynd yn ddibynnol ar alcohol ac yn chwilio am help, meddai.

Tua 9 o’r gloch y nos, pan oedd popeth yn daclus ar ôl diwrnod gyda’r plant, o’n i’n meddwl dwi’n haeddu gwydraid o sherry neu wydraid o win.

“Yfed gwin ydy’r brif broblem i ferched, am ei fod wedi cael ei normaleiddio. Os ydych chi’n gwylio opera sebon ar y teledu, os ydy dwy ferch yn dod at ei gilydd, dim cynnig paned o de neu goffi maen nhw, ond fe welwch chi botel o win bob amser.

“Fe welais i rywbeth ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol yn ddiweddar oedd yn normaleiddio yfed prosecco, a wnes i feddwl ‘o, rhywbeth arall eto’. Mae’r sloganau yma ‘Prosecco o’clock‘, ‘Gwin o’r gloch’ ac ati sy’n targedu merched, os wyt ti’n briod neu’n sengl, maen nhw’n rhoi’r argraff dy fod ti’n secsi ac yn trendi, mai dyna wyt ti fod i ‘neud.

“Sneb yn planio bod yn alcoholig. Mae rhai pobl yn gallu yfed a dydy o ddim yn cael effaith arnyn nhw. Ond pan mae o o dy gwmpas di ym mhob man, y normaleiddio di-ben-draw a’r syniad mai’r done thing ydy yfed prosecco, mae’n gallu bod yn beryglus, os ydych chi’n yfed fel rhan o’ch routine dyddiol, dyna ddechrau ar y daith.

“Hefyd reward drinking, dyna sut ddatblygodd fy alcoholiaeth i. Tua 9 o’r gloch y nos, pan oedd popeth yn dawel a thaclus ar ôl diwrnod gyda’r plant, o’n i’n meddwl dwi’n haeddu gwydraid o sherry neu wydraid o win. Mae merched yn gallu meddwl bod yn rhaid cael alcohol ar ddiwedd diwrnod caled.

“Os ydych chi’n mynd i unrhyw ddigwyddiad erbyn hyn, mae pobl yn disgwyl bod na alcohol yno. Dydy pobl ddim yn mynd i brynu te neu goffi – dyna sy’ wedi digwydd i’n cymdeithas ni a mae hynny’n frawychus iawn a dweud y gwir.”

“R’on i’n yfwr 24 awr y dydd, ond yn dal i gario mlaen gyda fy mywyd fel arfer.”

Mae un ddynes o Benarth, sy’n dymuno aros yn ddi-enw, yn dweud mai yfed gwin yn y tŷ oedd cychwyn ei thaith hi i alcoholiaeth:

Cyn gynted ag y byddai fy ngŵr yn dod adre o’r gwaith fydden ni’n agor potel o win. Efallai y bydden ni’n yfed potel yr un, ac yna’n agor un arall.

Mewn pob math o ddigwyddiad cymdeithasol, picnic, barbeciw, oedd ‘na wastad alcohol ‘na ac mi r’on i’n cysylltu yfed gyda chael amser da. Roedd yn dderbyniol i ni i yfed gyda ffrindiau.

Yn sydyn iawn r’on i’n yfed er mwyn cael fy hun trwy’r diwrnod. R’on i’n yfwr 24 awr y dydd, ond yn dal i gario mlaen gyda fy mywyd fel arfer.

Fe es i trwy gyfnod lle o’n i’n edrych ar y cloc tan i fy ngŵr gyrraedd adre o’r gwaith, yn disgwyl gallu agor y botel. Ond wedyn, dechreuais yfed adre’ ar fy mhen fy hunan amser cinio. ‘Wnâi gael un gwydraid cyn casglu’r plant o’r ysgol.’ Ond roedd un yn mynd yn ddau neu dri. Dwi’n gwybod ei fod yn swnio’n frawychus, ond mi wnes i fynd i gasglu’r plant yn y car pan na ddylwn i fod wedi bod yn gyrru.

R’on ni’n yfed cyn i ni gael plant, ac wedyn r’on ni’n yfed o gwmpas y plant, maen nhw’n sicr wedi tyfu lan lle oedd alcohol o gwmpas. Os oedden i’n mynd mas am bryd o fwyd, bydden i’n yfed potel neu fwy o win cyn mynd. Yna fyswn i ond yn cael gwydraid gyda’r bwyd. O’n i’n gwisgo masg, ac yn dangos mai ond un gwydraid o win r’on i ei angen ond doedd hynny ddim yn wir.


‘Yfed allan o bob rheolaeth’

Mae menywod, os ydyn nhw’n colli strwythur i’w diwrnod, efallai pan mae eu plant yn gadael cartref, yna mae yfed yn gallu cymryd drosodd yn hawdd. Fe aethon ni i fyw dramor am gyfnod, r’on i’n teimlo’n ynysig ac yn unig, a dyna pryd sylweddolais bod fy alcohol yn broblem. Roeddwn i’n cysylltu yfed gyda theimlo’n dda, roedd yn ddihangfa.

Yn sydyn iawn r’on i’n yfed er mwyn cael fy hun trwy’r diwrnod. R’on i’n yfwr 24 awr y dydd, ond yn dal i gario mlaen gyda fy mywyd fel arfer.

Roedd diwedd fy 40au yn gyfnod anodd ac mi roedd fy yfed i allan o bob rheolaeth. Fe es i rehab am fis o detox, ond pan ddes i allan doedd dim byd yn fy mywyd i wedi newid. Roedd pawb yn meddwl fy mod i’n OK achos fy mod i wedi bod yn rehab ond dechreuais yfed eto.

Roedd fy iau wedi gordyfu, r’on i’n chwydu gwaed, a ches i fy rhuthro i’r ysbyty a dyna’r peth gorau a ddigwyddodd i fi. R’on i wedi cyrraedd y gwaelod a dywedodd y meddygon wrthai, os gei di ddiod arall, fyddi di’n marw.

Ar ôl dod o’r ysbyty fe es i i rehab yn Llantrisant lle o’n i’n byw i mewn am 18 wythnos a dyna oedd angen arna i. Yna cefais gymorth gan Yr Ystafell Fyw, dwi yno bron bob dydd.

Dwi ‘di bod yn sobor bron i dair blynedd. Petai unrhyw un wedi dweud wrtha’ i dair blynedd yn ôl pan o’n i’n yfed 24 awr y dydd, y bydden i lle ydw i heddi, fydden i ddim wedi eu credu nhw.

Dydy pobl ddim yn sylweddoli y grip sydd gan alcohol arno chi, ond beth ni’n dweud yw, d’yn ni ddim yn cau’r drws ar y gorffennol, ond r’yn ni’n edrych i’r dyfodol, a dwi’n teimlo’n bositif.

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Wales’ Eighth Recovery Sunday

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Wales’ Eighth Recovery Sunday


Dear Friend,


Sunday, 27th October, 2019, will be another milestone in the history of the battle against addiction to alcohol, drugs and other harmful behaviour, in Wales.


The service is based on the story of Jonah, one of the great Bible stories. We’ll see how the story is relevant to us today and that there’s a Jonah inside all of us.


You are welcome to use this service, in English or Welsh. It can be downloaded from our websites: www.livingroom-cardiff.com; or www.cynnal.wales


This is the eighth Recovery Sunday in Wales. On this Sunday, we invite Christians to unite in prayer for those who are dependent and trapped in addiction, to ask God to help us to help them.


Thank you in anticipation of your cooperation and support.


Wynford Ellis Owen
Specialist Counselling Consultant

Download
Service

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Coeden Gobaith 2019

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Coeden Gobaith 2019

6.00YP MERCHER 11 RHAGFYR 2019


Ydych chi am ddathlu eich bod yn gwella o ddibyniaeth, neu fod un o’ch anwyliaid yn gwella?

Ydych chi am GOFIO RHYWUN fu’n Gaeth i Ddibyniaeth?

Neu ydych chi am ddangos eich gwerthfawrogaid i’r rhai sydd wedi eich helpu i wella?


Ymunwch â ni i ddathlu! Casglwch eich seren bersonol a’i rhoi ar Goeden Gobaith y Stafell Fyw. Ewch o gwmpas y ganolfan a mynnwch sgwrs gyda’r rhai sy’n gweithio yma.

Gallwch fwynhau mins pei, te,coffi a diod oren ar y noson.
Bydd dau bennaeth newydd Coleg y Bedyddwyr yn ein harwain mewn gwasanaeth carolau byr, cyn gosod ein sêr ar y goeden.

I ofyn am seren gyda neges bersonol, cysytlwch â ni cyn Rhagfyr 6ed.




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Tree of Hope 2019

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Tree of Hope 2019

6.00pm Wednesday 11 December 2019




Want to celebrate your recovery from addiction, or the recovery of a loved one?

Want to remember your dear ones lost to addiction?

Or do you just want to show gratitude for those who have helped you in your recovery?


Join us for a celebration! Collect your individual star and place it on the Living Room Tree of Hope. Tour the centre, speak to people who work here.

Come and enjoy a mince pie, tea, coffee or an orange juice on the night. The new Principals of the Baptist College will lead us in a short carol service, before we set our stars on the tree.

To request an individual messaged star, please contact us no later than the 6th of December

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Course: Addiction & Recovery Training

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Course: Addiction & Recovery Training

Want the edge in your future career?


Are you currently studying: Psychology? Counselling? Social Work/Care? Medicine or Nursing? Probation?



If you are studying a course that is related to health, social care, social work or counselling, recovery coaching can give you that edge. The course will count towards your degree and is a ten credit module. It is taught over four weekends at The Living Room Cardiff and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David.


Induction Day, Wednesday 28 February  10am – 4pm

Module 1  Part 1 Addiction and recovery    Fri March 9 @ 4pm – 9pm

                                                                        Sat March 10 @ 9am – 4.30pm

Module 1 Part 2                                                     Fri, April 13 @4pm – 9pm

                                                                        Sat ,April 14 @ 9am – 4.30pm


Call the Living Room Cardiff for registration details.

Ffoniwch Stafell Fyw am fwy o fanylion cofrestru

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FlutterFree February

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FlutterFree February

Updated: Dec 12, 2017

A simple pledge in February to help raise awareness of the dangers of excessive gambling


Flutter-free is a new campaign from the Beat the Odds initiative, led by Living Room Cardiff, which aims to encourage those who gamble – whether online or at the bookies – to take a pledge to stop gambling during the month of February 2017. A dedicated website www.flutterfree.com provides a means to register a pledge to stop gambling for the month of February. A fundraising pack is now available online with ideas on how to get involved with the campaign. Pledgers are also encouraged to send a thumbs up selfie in support of the campaign via #flutterfreefeb.

Problem gambling is a real problem in society. Millions of pounds are gambled each year in the UK on various forms of gambling, but by far the biggest threat is posed by Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBTs).

Wynford Ellis Owen, Chief Executive of Living Room Cardiff, and who is leading the Beat the Odds initiative, said, “The UK Government has announced that Wales will now have responsibility for all new FOTBs. This is to be welcomed, but the bad news is that the 1500 terminals already in operation are not devolved and will remain the responsibility of the UK Government.

“The data on gambling prevalence in Wales is poor. Based on the evidence available, The Living Room Cardiff estimate that there are around 114,000 at risk and problematic gamblers in Wales with as much as 12,000 considered having a gambling disorder. The Gambling Commission figures show that over £1.62billion was staked on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals (FOBT) alone, an average of £675 per adult with an overall loss of £51.5 billion.

“FOBTs are just one of the countless gambling opportunities available. Can you imagine if only a small fraction of that money was put aside during Flutter-free February what good that money could be used for instead?”

Professor Jim Orford in his evidence for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fixed Odds Betting Terminals, added, “FOBT playing is now the most lucrative form of gambling in Britain (betting on dog races, for example, is much less so). FOBTs may be costing people with gambling problems in the region of a quarter of a billion pounds a year (23% of gross FOBT gambling yield which was £1,295m at the time).

“No other forms of gambling have estimates of losses contributed by problem gamblers which are anywhere near that amount. The nearest are table games in casinos, betting on dog races, betting on horse races, and slot machines in arcades, each of which is estimated to take in the region of £50m to £75m annually from people with gambling problems.”

Dr Sean Cowlishaw, University of Bristol and a member of the Beat the Odds advisory group of academics, said, “Participation in gambling is increasing in the UK, with surveys indicating that around 59% of British adults reported gambling activities (excluding National Lottery) in 2010, which was an increase of 7% from 2007. These trends have occurred in the context of developments in gambling technologies (e.g., electronic gambling machines, online gambling) and increased exposure (for example, gambling-related advertisements grew by almost 500% between 2007 and 2012), and larger numbers of people experiencing problems with gambling.

“These problems encompass a spectrum of difficulties that are defined mainly by gambling-related harms (e.g., financial crises, relationship breakdown), and can sometimes reach levels of severity that warrant diagnoses of pathological gambling or gambling disorder. Prevalence studies indicate that around 7% of men (2% of women) experience at least some problems with gambling annually in the UK, with higher levels among young adults (e.g., 17% of males aged 16-24 reported at least some problems in 2012). There is also a socio-economic gradient of risk, whereby elevated risk of gambling problems is associated with low income and high deprivation.” Clive Wolfendale, Chief Executive of CAIS, Living Room Cardiff’s parent charity, said, “It has been very important to us to ensure that the early development of our thinking around problematic gambling in Wales was conducted in a wholly unfettered manner. This has not prevented us engaging with a wide range of stakeholders who naturally carry different perspectives. We are now looking at the best way to take our work forward in tackling what is emerging as a major public wellbeing issue.”

For further information
Please call 02920 493895 or email [email protected]


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Recovery Rising: William L. White

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Recovery Rising: William L. White

Updated: Dec 5, 2017

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Recovery Rising is the professional memoir of William White, who over the span of five decades evolved through the diverse roles (e.g., “streetworker”, addiction counselor, clinical supervisor, treatment administrator, educator, clinical and organizational consultant, research scientist)  to emerge as the addiction field’s preeminent historian and one of its most visionary voices and prolific writers. Recovery Rising contains the stories, reflections, and lessons learned within one man’s personal and professional journey. Recounted here are many of the ideas, methods, people, and organizations that shaped the modern history of addiction treatment and recovery. These engaging stories are at times poignant and at times humorous, but always revealing, informative, and inspiring. William White’s peers will find their life’s work affirmed in these pages and a younger generation of addiction professionals and recovery advocates will feel the passing of a torch.




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