Support group for problem gamblers originated from the personal account of founder Christina Cook
The Broke Girl Society, an innovative podcast and online community, has been providing a sanctuary for over 3,000 women who are grappling with problem gambling. Founded by Christina Cook, a certified International Gambling Recovery Specialist (IGRS), the Society offers a judgement-free space for women to share their experiences and recover from gambling addiction.
Christina's own journey with gambling began as a coping mechanism, much like some people turn to alcohol in difficult times. However, she found the services offered by Gamblers Anonymous impersonal and disconnected, leading her to launch the Broke Girl Society as a more personal approach to recovery.
The Society offers a bi-monthly podcast, weekly discussions, and a YouTube channel, creating a platform for women to connect and share their stories. Christina's professional expertise, combined with her lived experience, provides a unique blend of clinical insight and peer-informed perspectives, fostering a safe environment for recovery.
Christina's gambling addiction was a symptom of other challenges she faced, including a verbally abusive relationship and a cancer diagnosis that left her unable to have children. These experiences have shaped her mission to reduce the stigma surrounding women and gambling and promote healing for those affected.
Christina is not interested in bashing the gaming industry but rather focuses on reducing the harm caused by gambling addictions. She believes that women-specific conversations are crucial to better understand the societal stigma around women and gambling.
One of the most significant barriers to care and treatment for women struggling with gambling addiction is the lack of conversation and understanding. Christina's story, where she left her mother's hospital bedside to gamble at a casino on the day her mother had a heart attack, serves as a stark reminder of this reality.
The Broke Girl Society is more than just a support network; it is a community that empowers and supports women in overcoming gambling addiction. Through its digital platform, the Society is helping women reclaim their lives with dignity and hope.
- To address the lack of conversation and understanding about women and gambling, Christina champions responsible gambling within the context of science, mental health, and health-and-wellness.
- In the realm of casino-and-gambling, Christina emphasizes the importance of understanding the personal struggles and mental health implications of casino games and lotteries.
- Despite her mission to reduce the harm caused by gambling addictions, Christina distinguishes herself from those who seek to undermine the casino industry, engaging instead in discussions about sports-betting and casino-personalities.
- To promote responsible gambling and improve women's health, Christina derives inspiration from various fields such as science, health-and-wellness, mental-health, and even sports.
- The Broke Girl Society extends beyond women's health and womens-health, offering resources for healing, personal growth, and an improved overall well-being, including discussions on responsible gambling, mental health, social justice, and even the occasionaltblurbs about sports.
